Dolphins In Depth: Dolphins have leadership void that must be filled
With Calais Campbell joining the Arizona Cardinals and Terron Armstead expected to retire, it appears the Miami Dolphins will need to find new leadership in 2025. Their advance could force Zach Seler, Jordyn Brooks and Jalen Ramsey to stretch themselves as leaders of what’s expected to be a young team, one supplemented by 10 draft picks. Are those players ready to handle that responsibility?
Dolphins Trade Down, Select Texas Standout in New NFL Mock Draft
The Miami Dolphins have many options in the first round of the NFL Draft. They could add offensive or defensive linemen, but in a new mock draft, the Dolphins decided to move back and select a position in the secondary. In a new mock draft from Chad Reuter, NFL Draft Researcher and Analyst for NFL Media, the Dolphins are trading down from pick 13 to pick 16 with the Arizona Cardinals. The Dolphins then select Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron, pairing Barron with Jalen Ramsey.
As part of the Dolphins’ trade down, the Cardinals send their third-rounder for the Dolphins’ fourth-rounder. While it initially doesn’t seem like a significant haul, the Dolphins would be moving down three spots in the first round to move up from pick 116 to pick 78. The trade-down is excellent for the Dolphins, and the player they select is as well. Barron was the highest-graded Texas defender in 2024 according to Pro Football Focus. He had five pressures, one sack, 57 tackles, and was incredible in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Barron allowed 37 receptions on 68 targets for 284 yards, no touchdowns, and nine pass breakups while hauling in five interceptions. His passer rating when targeted was 34.2. If quarterbacks spiked the ball instead of throwing it, their passer rating would be 39.6. In round one, Reuter’s mock draft for the Dolphins would be a fantastic outcome. Selecting a top cornerback who has experience lining up in the slot and out wide in Barron would fill a significant need for the Dolphins.
While the Dolphins have commonly mocked offensive and defensive linemen in round one, this mock takes a different approach. The Dolphins trade down, improve their draft capital, and take one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. A strong offensive and defensive line class makes Miami’s selection of Barron after a trade-down very sensible. The Dolphins add a much-needed cornerback while improving their draft capital. It’s a fresh take on the Dolphins’ draft potential and would be a solid way for Miami to start the 2025 NFL Draft.
While the Dolphins have commonly mocked offensive and defensive linemen in round one, this mock takes a different approach. The Dolphins trade down, improve their draft capital, and take one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. A strong offensive and defensive line class makes Miami’s selection of Barron after a trade-down very sensible. The Dolphins add a much-needed cornerback while improving their draft capital. It’s a fresh take on the Dolphins’ draft potential and would be a solid way for Miami to start the 2025 NFL Draft.
