2025 NFL Draft: Three Players I THINK The Miami Dolphins Should Run To The Podium For If Available At Pick #13

Here are three players that SHOULD be gone by the time the Miami Dolphins are on the clock, but what if they’re not!?! *eye emojis*

Time and time again, the Miami Dolphins set themselves up to go best player available in the draft. This year appears to be no different, though I believe safety and defensive tackle continue to raise the most concerns, at least for me. Nevertheless, General Manager Chris Grier has again tried to use the flex seal to patch Miami’s roster needs, setting them up to go best player available in the 2025 NFL draft.

This, as you can expect, opens up a world of options for a team with many needs like the Dolphins, who currently have voids at safety, defensive tackle, cornerback, guard, and linebacker. There are probably other positions you can nitpick, but Grier has some work to do. That said, an #elite player is destined to fall to 13th overall, and whether it’s a position of need or not, Miami will have no choice but to make the pick.

Here are three players I THINK the Dolphins should run to the podium to select if they’re available when Miami is on the clock at pick 13:::

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Ashton Jeanty | Running Back | Boise State

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking.

“RuNniNG bAckS ArE A DimE A DoZEn!”

“wE haVE AcHanE aNd WrIghT!”

“FiX tHe OffEnsIvE LiNe”

“I hAtE YoU, HoUtZ!”

All of that is fair and perfectly reasonable, but let me clarify one thing. Ashton Jeanty is not every other running back. In fact, maybe it’s because Bijan Robinson got all the hype a few year ago, but Jeanty deserves every bit of the praise, if not more. He’s an every-down running back (I’m not saying Bijan isn’t!) that can do it all. A game changer that rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns with the Horn Frogs in 2024. He was a Heisman contender and arguably one of the best players in the country. It took all 11 men on Penn State’s defense to put an end to Boise State’s season finally. And even then, he rushed for 100 yards when the entire arena keyed in on his every move.

And yes, it’s true, the Dolphins do have Jaylen Wright and De’Von Achane. Both backs should have Miami’s fan base excited for the future, especially Achane. (Writer’s Note: I wrote this before THIS picture of Wright surfaced looking YOLKED.) But adding a player of Jeanty’s caliber to the backfield changes everything. It allows you to potentially move Achane to wide receiver, or at least play him more freely without worrying about him getting a bulk of the carries. And let’s be honest, the looks you could give a defense would be out-of-this-world. Not to mention, the load it would take off of Tagovailoa — and could help Miami shift out of the Tyreek Hill-centric offense.

Running back may not be one of Miami’s most pressing needs, and we all know backs can be found later in the draft and even undrafted, but to land one of THESE types of backs, ones of which only come around once every few years. A top-5 player in the draft and, if available, the best player on the board?!? Sign. Me. Up.

(Note: Grier has a son who plays football with him at Boise State. Make it happen.)

Armand Membou | Offensive Lineman | Missouri

Now that we’ve got Jeanty out of the way, this pick would make much more sense if the Dolphins tried to draft for need. After all, Missouri’s Armand Membou has quickly become the favorite among the crop of linemen by the national media and draft pundits alike. He also seems ready to go at guard, with versatility to play at tackle, giving teams like the Dolphins several options to improve the offensive line.

LSU’s Will Campbell is also good, and Longhorns tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is too! They may even be part of the run to the podium list, depending on who you ask, but I had to keep it to three. And the reason I gave the edge to Membou is because on a recent episode of Another Dolphins Podcast, Draft guru Brian Cat raved about Membou and what he could do on the interior of Miami’s offensive line. The name he mentioned that Membou really reminds him of was Dolphins legend, Laremy Tunsil. That was all I needed to hear.

But then you turn on the tape, and the dude is a mauler. I’m not an o-line guru by any stretch of the imagination, but Membou appears #different. And with Patrick Paul now the guy at left tackle, Membou can be the fallback option long-term if things go south and he proves his size limitations aren’t a hindrance. He’d help solidify the offensive line at guard in the short term. He’s probably what the Dolphins need most at 13, but who am I kidding, there’s very little chance he’s available when Miami is on the clock.

Will Johnson Jr. | Cornerback | Michigan

As I’m writing this on April 2nd 11th 13th, there is no player in this draft class I want to fall to Miami more than Michigan cornerback Will Johnson Jr. That has been my one constant draft take from the beginning of the process. Why? Because IMO, he’s a complete player who, had it not been for an array of injuries, probably wouldn’t even be a possibility at pick 13. He still might not even be available! And yet, he’s been constantly mocked to the Dolphins this offseason, which doesn’t mean anything, but it’s given me reason to #believe.

The 6’2 210 210-pound cornerback had an impressive career in Ann Arbor, starting as a true freshman for the Wolverines in 2022. The following season, he finished as one of the nation’s top corners, shutting down some of the best receivers in the country. His game-sealing interception vs. Washington quarterback Michael Penix in the National Championship may be his most memorable moment, but he’s been #elite since the very beginning.

And yes, his best fit might be in a man-heavy defense, but that’s not enough to scare me off, especially with a cornerback room consisting of veterans Jalen Ramsey, Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, and a ton of uncertainty. The pick would make itself, and he’d instantly become a starter opposite of Ramsey — assuming he’s still here — and bring some youth and explosiveness to Miami’s secondary. That’s not to say that Miami’s secondary isn’t completely void of playmakers, but plenty of questions remain. And adding an out-of-this-world corner like Johnson would change it all.

Another thing I can’t stop thinking about with Johnson, and Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, is Stephen Ross’ allegiance to the University of Michigan. The dude literally flew cross-country to lure Jim Harbaugh NOT TO MIAMI BUT TO HIS ALMA MATER!!! So if there was ever a time for Ross’ to Jerry Jones his ass into the war room, this is the time.

Will Johnson, No Matter What.

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Bonus Run To The Podium Player For The Dolphins In The Second round::::

Jalen Milroe | Quarterback | Alabama

I don’t see any world where Jalen Milroe is available when the Dolphins pick in the second round at 48 overall, especially after his invite to round one, but stranger things have happened. So, I will say it, and I don’t care who hears me!

Milroe is my favorite quarterback in this class (I’m not saying he’s QB1, relax!). He is the type of player that could sit and learn for a few years, behind Tua Tagovailoa or another QB, while also making an immediate impact with his #elite speed and playmaking ability. Sure, he’s not perfect, but I’ve seen enough ‘good’ to believe he has every bit of a chance to be a starting quarterback in this league as a Jaxson Dart, Will Howard, Tyler Shough, or Daniel Gabriel. And his playmaking ability is worth betting on, in my honest opinion.

I can not lie, I’d run to the podium if Milroe were available at pick 48. Send. It. In!

What are your thoughts on my list of players I’d run to the podium for if they’re available when the Miami Dolphins are on the clock at 13? Who would you add to my list? Who do you think doesn’t belong? Let us know in the comments section below!