2025 NFL Draft: The Official “What I Would Do if I Were Dolphins GM Chris Grier” Mock Draft

Arizona v UCF — Photo by Conor Kvatek/UCF Athletics/University Images via Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins may have a ton of holes on the roster, but I do my best to improve the team in my first mock draft of the 2025 NFL season. #FinsUp

I hate mock drafts.

I really do.

I hate everything about them, and nowadays, the mock draft simulators are even more frustrating. There’s always a pick that completely messes everything up, or a player ranked way too high or low. It pisses me off! And yet, here I am, getting ready to write an entire article about the players I selected in my first seven-round Miami Dolphins mock draft of the season.

I didn’t want to do a ton of mock drafts this offseason. But when my co-host Jake Mendel and Draft guru Brian Cat suggested we record an episode where we each do a mock draft based on what WE would do if we were general manager Chris Grier and our livelihood was hanging in the balance, I knew what needed to be done. Hopefully, you’re already subscribed to the podcast, but if not, you can listen to Friday’s episode HERE.

I won’t spoil what Cat or Jake did, but I want to dive into my selections and break down why I decided to go the route. This won’t become a weekly thing, I promise, but I will be back at some point next week to talk about what I believe Chris Grier will do at 13. But enough about that, here’s MY first mock draft of the season.

With the 13th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select….

1:13 | Tyler Warren | Tight End | Penn State

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl - Penn State v Boise State

2024 Stats: 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, 8 TDs, 26 carries, 218 yards, 4 TDs

Other options: Malaki Starks, Kelvin Banks Jr.

Played 916 offensive snaps in 2024 per Pro Football Focus:::

39 @ QB
69 @ Backfield
414 @ inline TE
293 @ slot WR
93 @ WR
8 @ OL

He’s not Brock Bowers, but no one is, if we’re being completely honest. Warren doesn’t have the #elite attributes and numbers but he’s a damn good football player. He can do everything well and instantly improves every aspect of whatever offense he inevitably gets drafted into. Whether that be as a traditional tight end, a slot wide receiver, a blocker in short yardage, or as the man behind center, Warren can do it all.

2:48 | Jonah Savaiinaea (Sav-Ah-Nya) | Offensive Lineman | Arizona

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 09 Arizona at Mississippi State

6’4, 324 LBs | body of an RG – Chad Reuter

Durable AF. Versatility to play inside or outside

Started all 12 games in 2022 @ RG in 2022
Started all 13 games in 2023 @ 3 RG / 10 @ RT
Started 11 games in 2024 @ 5 @ LT / 6 @ RT, Team MVP

(Ranked 10th OT @ combine per next gen stats)

Miami needs an upgrade at guard, and while it was awfully tempting to draft Kelvin Banks at 13, I decided to take Warren and then circle back on Savaiinaea, who had a ton of hype heading into the 2024 college season. During his career at Arizona, he showcased the ability to play inside or outside at a high level and has proven to be a mauler in the run game and a stout anchor in pass protection. I think we’d all be happy to walk away from this draft with a player like Savaiinaea.

3:98 | Jonas Sanker | Safety | Virginia

2024 Stats: 98 total tackles, 9 TFLs, two sacks, two Ints, 17 PBUs

Other Options: Jaylen Reed

Started 3 seasons at Virginia.

Played 796 defensive snaps last season per PFF

358 in the box
139 in the slot
282 @ free safety

Reads and reacts well. I constantly saw him flying around the ball. Ran a 4.48 40. Like how they used him in the box, whether that be delayed blitzes or run fits, he’s a solid player, and adding him to the room with McMorris, Davis, and Iffy is solid. He even makes plays on special teams – blocking kicks & attacking returners. He played 195 snaps last season on STs.

4:116 | Shemar Turner | Defensive Tackle | Texas A&M

NCAA Football: Sam Houston State at Texas A&M

Almost pulled the trigger earlier, so when I came back around and he was available, I ran to the podium

6’3, 290 LBs | could potentially be an anchor next to Zach Sieler for years to come

Based on the limited tape I watched, he seems to have a quick get-off and an explosive first punch. Relentless in his attack. Showcased the ability to move all over the defensive line with success.

Started 12 games in 2024, recording 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, PBU, FF
In 2023, he was 3^rd in the nation in blocked kicks (2)
I lol’d

Now that veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell has officially signed with the Arizona Cardinals, a defensive tackle may be taken much higher than round 4, IMHO.

4: 135 | Jackson Slater | Offensive Lineman | Sacramento State

6’3, 311 LBs… Started the final nine games in 2021 @ LG and never looked back

Started every game over the last 3 seasons with Sacramento State, earning him back-to-back-to-back First-Team All Big Sky.
Comes from a family of football players
Seems to be – at worst – depth at guard. Oh, and he can also play center

There may be concerns with his foot quickness, according to those way more intelligent than I, but I felt like this was a way to get rid of Liam Eichenberg/some of the other guys that are lingering for depth purposes, eventually. It’s also another lineman to have on standby in case Savaiinaea is needed at tackle or something were to happen to James Daniels. After all, you can never have too many offensive linemen.

5: 150 | Jack Sawyer | EDGE | Ohio State

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential - Ohio State V Oregon

Former top-5 overall prospect in the nation coming out of high school.

Gives off Andrew Van Ginkel vibes to me as a guy that’s always around the football… his hair isn’t as nice, unfortunately, but he does have a cool tattoo. Sawyer might not be an #elite athlete, but is a ******* baller. Took over the Cotton Bowl with a game-wrecking 83-yard strip sack of QB Quinn Ewers. Started all 16 games for THE Buckeyes…. 59 tackles, nine sacks, 6 PBUs, 1 INT. Probably won’t be available in the fourth round in real life, but I don’t care.

5: 155 | R.J Harvey | Running Back | UCF

Undersized @ 5’8, 205 LBs but that’s never stopped Mike McDaniel before!
Carried the ball 579 times over his collegiate career for 3792 yards, 43 touchdowns
His best seasons were in 2024 when he had 1577 yards on the ground and 22 TDs
Can be an asset in the passing game, but below average in pass protection
4.4 40-yard dash. Runs with power and toughness for a smaller back.

Whenever I saw a UCF highlight on the TL, it was usually the man, the myth, the Golden Knight legend, RJ Harvey. McDaniel said they’d bring in at least two or three running backs, and although they’d probably be okay waiting until the seventh round or even after the draft to land an acorn, I pulled the trigger on the playmaker from UCF. #SorryNotSorry

7: 224 | Francisco Mauigoa (Maui Goa) | Linebacker | Miami

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 14 Ball State at Miami

This mfer reminds me of the linebackers we grew up admiring. A lot like Reuben Foster in a way. Started for Washington State in 2021 before transferring to Miami, where he’d lead the team in tackles in both 2022 & 2023. He’s a 2-down linebacker. Not the most athletically gifted, but he is a thumper who has no problem filling a hole or taking on a pulling guard. He always has a way of finding the ball. And the aesthetic… that hair out of the helmet with a visor… chefs kiss!

Led the Canes in 2023 with 82 tackles
Led the Canes in 2024 with 96 tackles

7: 231 | Brady Cook | Quarterback | Missouri

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 30 TransPerfect Music City Bowl - Iowa vs Missouri

I needed a quarterback tbqh

2024 Stats: He completed 62.6% of his passes for 2,535 yards, 11 Tds, and 2 INTs. 2nd best athleticism rating at the combine per NFL’s Next Gen Stats, but that probably has a lot to do with this 4.59 40. Still. Miami will need a rookie arm in camp and someone to potentially develop behind Zach Wilson. In round seven, you can’t do much better than Brady Cook.

Career rushing stats: 87 carries, 223 yards, 5 Tds – 20 career rushing touchdowns

7: 253 | Jason Marshall Jr. | Cornerback | Florida

Boundary cornerback that can use some work. Needs to get better in run support, but he has an ideal frame, 6’1, 200 pounds, and the athletic traits that I think he could maybe become something. Recently ran a 4.3 40 at his pro day, which doesn’t necessarily mean a lot, but when you’re playing against that NFL speed, having a big CB that can run stride for stride is ideal. Labrum injury in 2024 cut his season short.

(Please note: These are notes from a podcast I recorded. They may be rough and gritty. Viewer discretion is advised.)

What are your thoughts on my first mock draft of the 2025 NFL season? Do you like what I did in my role as general manager? If not, what changes would you have made? Let us know in the comments section below!