Dolphins draft mailbag: Will Miami select a positional necessity or the greatest player available?

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Miami Dolphins find themselves in a unique position. With a roster filled with talent and expectations high, the Dolphins’ decision-makers must strike the right balance in this year’s draft. Should Miami focus on filling a positional need, or should they prioritize selecting the best player available, regardless of position? This mailbag dives into the questions surrounding the Dolphins’ draft strategy, analyzing the pros and cons of both approaches while looking at potential targets to address their needs.

Positional Necessity: What the Dolphins Need

To begin, let’s address Miami’s key needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. While the Dolphins have built a competitive roster in recent seasons, there are still some positions where they could use immediate upgrades. Here are the primary positional concerns:

1. Offensive Line: The Dolphins’ offensive line remains a persistent issue. Despite improvements over the last few years, Miami still struggles to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, especially against more dominant defensive fronts. In 2024, the Dolphins ranked 20th in the NFL in offensive line pass protection. While they have invested in some younger players like Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg, neither player has proven to be a consistent starter yet.

   Miami has a potential need at left guard, right tackle, and possibly even center, as there are questions surrounding the long-term future of current starters. Investing in a top-tier offensive line prospect in the early rounds could go a long way in ensuring Tagovailoa’s protection and the team’s offensive success.

2. Defensive Line: On the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphins have a solid pass rush but could use additional depth and versatility along the interior defensive line. The 2024 season saw Miami struggle against the run, ranking 22nd in rushing yards allowed per game. With a powerful defensive line led by players like Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis, there is room to add another disruptor to the mix, especially in the form of a stout defensive tackle who can stop the run and collapse the pocket on passing downs.
3. Cornerback: While the Dolphins have invested heavily in their secondary, with standout players like Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, the team could use some youth and depth behind them. Injuries to the cornerback corps have hurt Miami at times, so adding another young, high-upside cornerback to develop under Howard and Ramsey might be a good move. The draft is a great opportunity to add a top-tier corner who could step in and contribute right away, especially as both Howard and Ramsey enter the later stages of their careers.
4. Running Back: With the departure of veteran running backs and questions about the long-term durability of some of the current options, adding a running back who could be a dynamic playmaker is something the Dolphins might consider. Miami’s offense is built around speed and agility, and a running back with breakaway speed could fit right in. While the position may not be a huge priority, it’s still an area where a potential impact player could be found later in the draft.

Best Player Available: Can Miami Afford to Go BPA?

The counterpoint to addressing positional needs is the “Best Player Available” (BPA) strategy. The BPA approach often means selecting the top-rated player on the board regardless of position, ensuring that Miami lands the most talented individual available. This strategy has its merits, especially when the team has a solid starting lineup but may still lack depth in certain areas.

Let’s explore how BPA could benefit the Dolphins:

1. Maximizing Value: The Dolphins have already built a competitive roster through free agency and smart trades. With a talented core of players across most positions, selecting the best available player gives Miami an opportunity to maximize value, even if that player doesn’t immediately fit a specific need. BPA can help ensure Miami adds another impact player to the roster who may develop into a long-term starter or key contributor, even if they don’t initially fill an immediate gap.
2. Building Depth for Long-Term Success: Taking the best player available could be Miami’s best move for long-term success. As the team looks to sustain competitiveness in the AFC East and beyond, accumulating talented players across the roster is crucial. Miami could use BPA to secure a future star who may become a starter in a year or two, especially if they have the ability to develop under the team’s coaching staff. Depth is critical, and BPA allows the Dolphins to build a team that can weather injuries and performance issues while keeping the team competitive at all times.
3. Potential Positions to Target via BPA: The BPA strategy might push Miami to select players at positions they aren’t currently focusing on, but that could offer incredible upside. For example:
   • Wide Receiver: With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at the top, Miami is set at wide receiver. But what if an elite, first-round talent falls to Miami at pick No. 20? Pairing another dynamic playmaker with their existing wide receivers could give the Dolphins an explosive offense for years to come.
   • Edge Rusher: Miami is already solid on the defensive front, but selecting the best edge rusher available could improve their pass rush and provide extra depth in case of injuries.
   • Tight End: Despite the solid play from their current group of tight ends, Miami could explore adding a top-tier tight end prospect if one is available, further improving their offense and offering another weapon for Tagovailoa to work with.

Miami’s Approach: Finding the Balance

So, which approach will Miami ultimately take—filling a positional need or selecting the best player available? It’s likely that the Dolphins will take a hybrid approach, blending both strategies.

• The Dolphins’ Best Path Forward: Miami is in a position to make the most out of their draft picks. They don’t have a glaring weakness that requires immediate attention, but they do have areas that could use improvement. The key is for the Dolphins to address the areas of concern while also being open to the best player available, should an elite talent fall to them.

  Ultimately, the front office must make decisions based on their evaluation of the board. If an elite offensive lineman is available at pick No. 20, the Dolphins may feel compelled to select him, even if other positions are tempting. Similarly, if a BPA, such as a top cornerback or defensive tackle, is available and fills a future need, Miami should feel comfortable pulling the trigger.

Mock Draft Scenarios for Miami:

Let’s look at some potential scenarios where Miami might follow one strategy or the other:

1. Scenario 1 – Addressing Positional Need:
   • Pick 20: A top-tier offensive lineman like Caden Proctor (Iowa) or Joe Alt (Notre Dame) is still on the board. The Dolphins decide that improving the offensive line to protect Tua Tagovailoa and establish a stronger running game is a priority.
2. Scenario 2 – BPA at Wide Receiver:
   • Pick 20: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), the top-ranked wide receiver, is still available. Despite the presence of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins take a chance on adding another dynamic playmaker to their offense, seeing an opportunity to field one of the most explosive units in the NFL.
3. Scenario 3 – BPA at Edge Rusher:
   • Pick 20: Chase Young (Ohio State) falls down the board due to a team need mismatch. Miami takes advantage of the situation, adding one of the top edge rushers in the draft to bolster their already impressive defensive front.

The Dolphins’ Path to Success

In conclusion, the Dolphins are in an excellent position to make the most of their 2025 draft picks. By balancing the need to fill positional gaps and the opportunity to select the best player available, they can enhance their roster for both the present and future. Whether it’s improving the offensive line, adding depth in the secondary, or securing an elite talent who could provide long-term value, Miami has many avenues to improve.

Ultimately, the approach will be dictated by the board and how the draft plays out. With smart decision-making, the Dolphins can add the necessary pieces to continue building on their playoff-caliber roster, ensuring they stay competitive in a highly competitive AFC East. The key to Miami’s success will be their ability to remain flexible and choose wisely, regardless of whether they focus on positional need or the best player available.