2025 NFL Draft: 5 prospects the Miami Dolphins should target, including Will Johnson

The Miami Dolphins are coming off their worst season since 2019, and as they look to rebound, they’re facing tight salary cap limitations that have made free agency relatively uneventful. With limited room to maneuver financially, the pressure is on the front office to land impact players in the 2025 NFL Draft—particularly ones who can contribute right away. 

The team has holes to fill across the roster, and a strong draft class could help reset the franchise's trajectory. Fortunately, the Dolphins are armed with 10 picks, giving them flexibility to address key needs and find high-upside talent across all three days of the draft.

Five players the Dolphins should draft

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan: One position the Dolphins need to address in the 2025 NFL Draft is cornerback, as they look to find a starter opposite Jalen Ramsey following the release of Kendall Fuller. The need is compounded by 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, who has underperformed and struggled with injuries early in his NFL career. A potential solution could be Michigan’s Will Johnson.

Heading into the 2024 season, Johnson was widely considered one of the top prospects in the draft. In fact, The 33rd Team ranked him as their No. 1 overall player entering the year. Unfortunately, a turf toe injury hampered much of his season and caused his draft stock to slide. Despite the setback, Johnson remains the top cornerback on my board (note: I’m counting Travis Hunter as a cornerback). He has the potential to become a high-quality NFL starter, thanks to his elite ball skills and his ability to blanket receivers in man-to-man coverage.

If the Dolphins want to land Johnson, they’ll likely need to use their first-round pick—No. 13 overall. That could end up being excellent value, as Johnson has the tools to give Miami a formidable duo of lockdown corners alongside Jalen Ramsey.

Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State: Another position the Dolphins must address is left guard. While the team solidified the right guard spot by signing James Daniels to a significant contract this offseason, the current starter on the left side is Liam Eichenberg, who struggled in 2024. He allowed 29 pressures and earned a disappointing 49.7 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.

Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson could be an ideal solution. An impressive athlete, Jackson is a natural fit for Miami’s zone-blocking scheme. He also brings valuable versatility, having finished the season at left tackle for the Buckeyes while filling in for the injured Josh Simmons. Despite the position switch, he was still named a First-Team All-American by ESPN and showed he could play left tackle in a pinch in the NFL. 

Jackson is projected to come off the board in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and could very well still be available when Miami picks at No. 48 overall.

Alfred Collins, DT, Texas: The Miami Dolphins are expected to bolster their defensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft, and one potential addition is Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins. He’d likely compete with Benito Jones, who struggled in 2024, finishing with just 24 tackles and earning a disappointing 51.3 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus.

Collins would give the Dolphins a massive presence up front. At 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds, he’s an ideal fit for the 0-technique in their scheme. Beyond his size, he plays with impressive strength and explosive hands at the point of attack. He consistently holds his ground against double teams, making him a dependable force against the run. He also has intriguing upside, with one NFC personnel director telling NFL.com, “He’s a legit specimen. With the right coaching, he could end up taking off and becoming the best interior player in this class.”

Projected as a late second-round pick, Collins may be out of reach based on Miami’s current draft positioning. However, with 10 total picks at their disposal, the Dolphins could look to trade up from their late third-round spot or trade down in the second round to get into position to draft him.

Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU: In addition to addressing the interior offensive line, the Dolphins are also expected to target help at offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft. Depth is a clear priority, especially after the retirement of starting left tackle Terron Armstead. While his replacement, Patrick Paul, shows promise, he remains unproven. On the right side, Austin Jackson has played well when healthy but has struggled to stay on the field, making it wise for Miami to add insurance at both tackle spots.

A potential Day 3 target who fits well in Miami’s scheme is LSU’s Emery Jones Jr. A 2024 Second-Team All-SEC selection, Jones was once considered a potential top-10 pick. However, concerns over his technique, particularly poor hand usage that contributed to nine penalties, have caused his draft stock to slide. Despite these flaws, Jones offers impressive traits. He’s strong, mobile, and has the length teams covet in a developmental tackle.

Miami could likely land Jones with one of their two fourth-round picks, which would represent strong value for a player with his upside. With proper coaching and refinement, Jones has the potential to grow into a starting role in the coming years.

Malachi Moore, S, Alabama: One position that has seen significant turnover for the Dolphins is safety. The team is moving on from Jevon Holland, who signed with the New York Giants, and is unlikely to re-sign veteran Jordan Poyer. To help fill those vacancies, Miami brought in Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis, but they’ll likely still look to add depth on Day 3 of the draft.

Alabama’s Malachi Moore is a versatile option who could provide that depth, having played both free and strong safety during his time with the Crimson Tide. On top of his positional flexibility, Moore would also contribute immediately on special teams.

NFL.com projects Moore as a fifth-round pick, and with the Dolphins holding two selections in that round, he could be a strong value. Adding a First-Team All-SEC talent that late in the draft would be a smart move to strengthen both the secondary and special teams unit.