The Miami Dolphins could go several different directions with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but most experts have their options narrowed to a handful of logical prospects.
There’s cornerbacks Jahdae Barron and Will Johnson, who could fill the void left by the imminent departure of Jalen Ramsey. Offensive linemen Kelvin Banks Jr., Will Campbell, and Armand Membou could all provide a significant upgrade from Liam Eichenberg. And safeties Malaki Starks and Nick Emmanwori could star in the Dolphins secondary after both Jevón Holland and Jordan Poyer exited in free agency.
In this mock draft we have a different idea about how Miami could use its first-round pick:
- Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)
- Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
- New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
- New England Patriots: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
- New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
- Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
- New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
- San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
- Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
- Miami Dolphins: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
- Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
- Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
- Arizona Cardinals: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
- Cincinnati Bengals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
- Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
- Denver Broncos: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
- Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
- Green Bay Packers: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
- Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
- Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
- Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
- Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon
- Detroit Lions: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
- Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
- Buffalo Bills: James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee
- Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
- Philadelphia Eagles: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
It looks like the Dolphins have no choice but to hunt for a starting defensive lineman early in the draft. While holes at cornerback and guard could potentially be filled with veteran additions, Miami won’t be able to do the same to bolster the defensive trenches.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, the No. 13 selection has looked like no man’s land when it comes to defensive linemen. The consensus top player in the position group is Michigan’s Mason Graham, but he’s likely to come off the board in the top 10. Then there’s Kenneth Grant of Michigan, Derrick Harmon of Oregon, and Walter Nolen of Ole Miss, who are all largely projected near the tail-end of Round 1.
Shemar Stewart could be the player whose value lines up with Miami’s selection, though.
After weighing in at 267 pounds at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Stewart is labeled by most as an edge rusher. But the former Texas A&M defensive end was listed at 291 pounds in college and dominated at the Senior Bowl after weighing in at 281 pounds. With just a little added weight, Stewart could slot in right away as a five-technique defensive end for the Dolphins rather than an edge rusher.
While Stewart posted freakish numbers at the combine, his lack of production in the collegiate ranks (4.5 sacks in three seasons) has many worried he’s a bust in the making. But similar criticisms didn’t scare the Dolphins away from taking Chop Robinson, whose athleticism didn’t translate to many sacks in college either.
And what those concerns about Stewart’s sack total don’t highlight is his elite run defense with the Aggies or the 33 quarterback hurries he tallied in the 2024 season.
The Dolphins don’t need much edge help with Robinson, Bradley Chubb, and Jaelan Phillips all on the roster in 2025. But Stewart could be the perfect solution to the team’s Calais Campbell-sized hole at defensive end.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: Curveballs from Patriots, Dolphins