Nobody expected the Miami Dolphins to pull such a dramatic move during the 2025 NFL Draft. To make their roster more imposing, they doubled down on physicality and size. In fact, the team purposefully spent four of its eight draft selections to nab players tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds. Their main priority was shoring up the d-line and o-line. This philosophy is indicative of a broader strategy of injecting strength and toughness into the team.
One of the Dolphins’ most significant moves came when they selected defensive tackle Kenneth Grant from the University of Michigan with the 13th overall pick. At 6-foot-3 and 331-pounds, Grant is a big dude. He is going to bring so much more than run-stopping abilities to Miami’s defense. His sheer versatility is what allows him to be the elaborate disrupter along the line. This upgrade addresses a bright red flag for the squad.
Chris Grier, Miami’s General Manager, expressed confidence in the team’s choices. He stated, “So we talked about adding youth and it just so happens that these guys are bigger players that are physical, tough kids that love football.” This attitude embodies the Dolphins’ commitment to bringing in as much youth and size as possible to build a dominant line of scrimmage.
In a shrewd maneuver, the Dolphins moved up to nab Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea in round two. Savaiinaea has good size at 324 pounds and 6-foot-4. While he has the versatility to play all five positions on the offensive line, the team envisions him as a guard. His experience and size will certainly help to make Miami’s offensive unit one of the best in the country.
The Dolphins took a huge step in fortifying that role by taking Maryland’s Jordan Phillips in the fifth round. They created more competition by selecting Zeek Biggers from Georgia Tech in the seventh round. Even if he doesn’t play to his size, Biggers is an imposing figure at 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds. He was great at clogging running lanes and disrupting passes at the line of scrimmage. Most impressively, he blocked four kicks in his collegiate career, evidence of his ability to make game-changing plays.
Grier emphasized the immediate impact these new selections could have on the team, saying, “They both happened because they’re both big and they are both powerful guys.” He indicated that Phillips and Biggers would have the opportunity to start right away as rookies, further underscoring the team’s commitment to integrating fresh talent into critical positions.
Even with the encouraging additions, the Dolphins met with plenty of concern heading into training camp. So they don’t have a lot of time to waste finding a starting cornerback. At the moment, their defensive tackle depth chart consists of just Zach Sieler, Benito Jones and Neil Farrell. Bigger names are coming along for the ride, making this their potential first line of defense. Despite all that positivity, the coaching staff remains focused on bringing home a proven, dependable cornerback.
As the offseason progresses, Miami’s strategy to prioritize size may position them favorably in an increasingly competitive league. Overall, these draft picks are a continuation in the direction of a bigger-plan future, aiming to create a deeper team that can compete next year and beyond.
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