The Dolphins were riding on a rollercoaster of emotions as their season ended with an 8-9 record. Head coach Mike McDaniel had high hopes for the season, but injuries to the quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, derailed their chances. They are now struggling to maintain their O-line. Keeping the confidence high is the biggest issue after losing the season-ender, and fans haven’t forgotten the receiver, Tyreek Hill, yelling in frustration, “I am out.”
The HC understands the patience game and wants to add playmakers for a signal caller in the coming draft. And with the 10 picks they have, the focus is on adding the lethal players who can help the signal caller in crucial moments. The 4 offensive picks are: 3rd round (98th overall) – LSU OL Miles Frazier, 5th round (15oth overall) – UConn OT Chase Lundt, 5th round (155th overall) – Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes, and 7th round (231st overall) – South Carolina RB Raheim Sanders.
The biggest of them is the running back. Raheim Sanders played 3 seasons for Arkansas (2021-2023) and South Carolina last year. The 6-foot 217 lbs player has played 44 games (29 starters) and returned 581 rushes in 3,111 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. He also showed a dominant receiving game, with 76 receptions in 771 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. But Mike McDaniel also needs protection for Tua Tagovailoa.
Miles Frazier brings experience at different protective positions. The 6-foot-6, 317 lbs OL has played as left guard, right guard, and left tackle as well. He also showed enough power and moving ability to play in the outside zone. It’s a similar case with the OL Chase Lundt. The 6-foot-8, 305 lbs athlete has the size and movement to be a good pass protector, but still needs to be developed. So, the coaches need to train him.
Georgia Hawes is the best blocking tight end, projected to go till the 3rd day when the Phins could draft him. In 2024, his only season with Georgia Tech, the TE had 16 receptions for 195 receiving yards. But the franchise needs to know beforehand that Hawes doesn’t bring much in the receiving game.
Amid the draft drama, they also need solid defense. 2025 is the year when they are more focused on the D-line.
Mike McDaniel eyes 6 defensive players in the 2025 draft
The Dolphins struggled to stop the ball last year. They had the 6th-lowest number of sacks (35) in 2024. Even in the interceptions, they were 23rd in the league (10). So, the defensive challenges were always there for Mike McDaniel. He has 6 projected picks to strengthen the defense: 1st round (13th overall) – Texas CB Jahdae Barron, 2nd round (48th overall) – Texas DT Alfred Collins, 4th round (116th overall) – Virgina SAF Jonas Sanker, 4th round (135th overall) – Notre Dame IDL Rylie Mills, 7th round (224th overall) – Minnesota DE Jah Joyner, and 7th round (253rd overall) – California LB Teddye Buchanan.
The Phins have already sought buyers for their CB Jalen Ramsey. And their best alternative is the Texas CB. Jahdae Barron played 5 years of college football and recorded 8 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 2 sacks, 23 defended passes, and 221 tackles (133 solo). The franchise stays at the Longhorns for the 2nd round, too.
The 6-foot-5, 320 lbs DT Alfred Collins is a physical beast. In his 5 years college career, he had 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 7 sacks, 11 defended passes, and 141 tackles (73 solo). His massive build and strong running game give an advantage to Mike McDaniel.
After adding two safeties, Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu, in the free agency, the Dolphins are eager to add another safety. But the short and medium coverage by Jonas Sanker has forced the team to take notice. The 6-foot-1, 210 lbs player represented Virginia in 4 seasons. He also recorded 2 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 17 defended passes, 2 sacks, and 273 tackles (177 solo).
Another defensive stalwart, DL Rylie Mills, is also a quick and powerful player who is not making headlines as he injured himself towards the end of last year. However, the Dolphins can have a dominant player in him, who played 62 games (36 starts) and recorded 17 sacks and 131 tackles (59 solo). After taking care of the first 6 rounds, Mike McDaniel wants to go for players who had flashes of talent.
DE Jah Joyner showed talent in the few moments. The 6-foot-5, 265 lbs player has a big frame. But they need to work on his hand usage. The defensive end played 4 years for Minnesota and had 4 forced fumbles, 14.5 sacks, 9 defended passes, and 66 tackles (35 solo). But they don’t stop there.
The final pick for the Dolphins ends with LB Teddye Buchanan. The 6-foot-2, 235 lbs athlete brings a good mix of speed, coverage ability, and range. However, the team doesn’t need to get overly ambitious with him as he doesn’t bring much talent. In 2024, his only season for California, he had 4 defended passes, 2 forced fumbles, 5 sacks, and 114 tackles (45 solo). Everything depends on Mike McDaniel now.
Things will change every day until the draft. The Dolphins’ front office is preparing and ready for the flight to Green Bay in Wisconsin. This weekend will change the fate of 32 teams for the coming season and the next few years too.
The post Dolphins Mock Draft: Mike McDaniel to Get 3,111 Yards Weapon for Tua Tagovailoa as Dolphins HC to Make 6 Defensive Picks appeared first on EssentiallySports.