NFL Mock Draft 2025: Nogle’s Miami Dolphins seven-round projection 1.0

The first week of the NFL’s 2025 league year – and the free agency period it brings – is almost complete. While plenty of free agent signings and trades will happen between now and next months’ 2025 NFL Draft, we are in the middle of “mock draft season” with everyone putting together their projection of the college prospect selection process.

This week, I decided I would do my first full Miami Dolphins mock for the year. I used Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator to make the projection more realistic – with players I wanted coming off the board just before I made the pick and trades happening throughout the process. To me, this feels more like what could happen for the Draft, rather than just picking the 10 players who I want for the Dolphins.

I considered several trades during the process but did not make any moves up or down the board. None of them felt like the trade I wanted to make, so I went chalk with the Dolphins’ scheduled ten picks.

Without further ado, here are my picks for the Dolphins in mock draft 1.0:

Round 1 – Pick 13

Nick Emmanwori, safety, South Carolina

There were a lot of options available to me with this pick, but my choices came down to a choice of safeties – Emmanwori or Georgia’s Malaki Starks. Starks seems like a popular pick for the Dolphins, but Emmanwori may be the better prospect. He can cover, he can blitz, and he can stuff the run. He ran a 4.38 second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine and he could be an absolute weapon in Anthony Weaver’s defense for the Dolphins.

Round 2 – Pick 48

Josh Conerly, Jr., Tackle, Oregon

The Dolphins need to address their offensive line this offseason. They started with some moves in free agency, but adding to the line through the Draft is a likely move for Miami. Conerly has potential at both tackle and guard, giving the Dolphins the versatility they love for linemen. He could be the swing tackle to back up Patrick Paul at left tackle and Austin Jackson at right tackle, as well as compete for a starting role along the interior.

Round 3 – Pick 98 (Compensatory Pick)

Cameron Skattebo, running back, Arizona State

Every time Skattebo is sitting on the board in the third round, I am going to make this pick. De’Von Achane brings speed to the Dolphins’ offense. Skattebo would bring power. Yes, the Dolphins also have Jaylen Wright and the recently signed Alexander Mattison, but Skattebo just brings something else to the running back position and he would be a steal at this point.

Round 4 – Pick 116

Savion Williams, wide receiver, TCU

The Dolphins are built as a speed offense but could use some size. A 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver provides them that size. Williams was not a dominating option at TCU, but the team was not exactly the National Championship contending team they were just a couple of years ago. He has excellent speed (4.48-second 40-yard dash) for a player his size. His hands need work, but he also can be a weapon, lining up in the backfield, running the end-around, and creating mismatches based on his size. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Williams to Cardarrelle Patterson, and that feels accurate. Giving the Miami offense a big target to play along side Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle could be what fixes whatever went wrong last year.

Round 4 – Pick 135 (Compensatory Pick)

CJ West, defensive tackle, Indiana

In previous runs of the PFN mock draft simulator, I have been high on adding defensive tackles early in the draft. If Calais Campbell does not return to Miami, adding someone to play next to Zach Sieler will be critical for Miami. West would not be the answer to that, but he might be the answer to the Dolphins losing Da’Shawn Hand in free agency. West could give Miami a true nose tackle in their hybrid 3-4 defensive front. He’s not a pass-rushing lineman, but he can eat up blocks and plug holes. He is raw and needs development, but he could be a good addition in the middle of the line.

Round 5 – Pick 150

Dillion Gabriel, quarterback, Oregon

I know this pick will bring hate, but it is also a pick that could make a ton of sense for Miami. The former UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon player who spent six years in college might prove to be the best rookie quarterback for the Dolphins in this year’s draft. A Hawaiian, smaller lefty, with a “lack” of arm talent but who typically takes care of the ball and throws with anticipation. If the Dolphins need a backup for Tua Tagovailoa, Gabriel might be exactly the player who could step in without needing many tweaks to the offensive system.

Round 5 – Pick 155 (from Denver Broncos)

Jeffrey Bassa, linebacker, Oregon

Bassa began college as a safety, but moved into the box as a linebacker. He is still working through some of the instincts of playing the position, especially against the run. He likely begins his career as a rotational option at linebacker while serving on special teams, but he has the potential to force his way into the lineup with the right development.

Round 7 – Pick 224 (from Chicago Bears)

Jacob Gideon, center, Western Michigan

Gideon is a developmental option on the offensive line, with experience playing both guard and center. If the Dolphins can quickly develop him to serve as the backup behind Aaron Brewer, they might have a steal, especially if he falls into the seventh round.

Round 7 – Pick 231

Jalen Travis, tackle, Iowa State

Another player who might need development time to hit his full potential, Travis is probably limited to working as a tackle based on his size (6-foot-8, 340 pounds). He could be a practice squad option as he develops and works his way into a swing tackle role, especially if Conerly is seen more as a guard in this mock draft.

Round 7 – Pick 253 (Compensatory Pick)

Jason Marshall, Jr., cornerback, Florida

Cornerback is the position that got away from me in this mock draft. Marshall looks like an NFL quarterback, but he has to work on consistency. He is another player who, with the right coaching, could turn into a rotational option, but he is a project being selected late in the draft.