2025 Miami Dolphins Draft Picks
- Pick 13 – Tyler Booker, Interior Offensive Lineman, Alabama
- Powerful, SEC-tested mauler with elite grip strength and pass pro anchor. Ideal for gap/power schemes. RAS: 4.94
- Pick 48 – TJ Sanders, Defensive Lineman, South Carolina
- Explosive 3T/5T hybrid with high pass-rush win rate. Penetrator with positional flexibility. RAS: 8.46
- Pick 98 – Dorian Strong, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
- Technically refined, elite coverage efficiency, no TDs allowed in 2023–24. Smooth mirror CB. RAS: 9.17
- Pick 116 – Jonas Sanker, Safety (Box/Overhang), Virginia
- Run-game enforcer and reliable tackler. Versatile subpackage asset. Top-5 graded run defender. RAS: 8.76
- Pick 135 – Jalen Rivers, Offensive Lineman, Miami
- Interior lineman with LG/LT flexibility. Heavy hands, strong anchor, three-year starter. RAS: 8.23
- Pick 150 – Tai Felton, Wide Receiver, Maryland
- Blazing speed, vertical separator, and YAC weapon. 96 catches in 2024. RAS: 8.91
- Pick 155 – Ollie Gordon II, Running Back, Oklahoma State
- Doak Walker winner. Vision-based power back with elite contact balance and three-down potential. RAS: 7.76
- Pick 224 – CJ Dippre, Tight End, Alabama
- Inline TE with soft hands, sound technique, and run-blocking consistency. Zero drops in 2023–24. RAS: 8.67
- Pick 231 – Warren Brinson, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
- Rotational DL with stout base and active hands. Versatile role player in multiple fronts. RAS: 7.84
- Pick 253 – Kitan Crawford, Safety (Deep/ST), Nevada
- Elite speed and gunner pedigree. Developmental FS with special teams floor and explosive athleticism. RAS: 9.19
Pro Scout Profile: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Draft Projection: Round 1 (Pick 13)
Position: Left Guard (LG)
Height/Weight: 6'5" | 335 lbs
Arms: 33 1/8"
Hands: 10 1/4"
Wingspan: 81.5"
40-Yard Dash: 5.25s
10-Yard Split: 1.80s
Vertical Jump: 27.5"
Broad Jump: 8'7"
3-Cone: 7.85s
Short Shuttle: 4.75s
RAS: 4.94 — Below average athleticism; heavy-footed but powerful
Player Overview:
Tyler Booker is a violent, high-IQ interior lineman who brings advanced strength and SEC polish to the guard position. A natural people-mover in the run game, Booker plays with urgent hands, a wide base, and great leverage. While limited athletically, his ability to anchor against power and seal interior defenders makes him a top-tier fit for power and duo-based systems.
Analytics Justification (2023–2024):
2023:
- 14 starts at LG
- Allowed 2 sacks and 8 pressures (935 snaps)
- PFF Grades: 82.3 Pass Block, 85.7 Run Block
2024:
- 13 starts at LG
- Allowed 1 sack and 5 pressures (864 snaps)
- PFF Grades: 84.1 Pass Block, 88.5 Run Block
- 1.9% Pressure Rate Allowed (Top 3 in SEC among LGs)
Booker’s two-year starting resume at Alabama includes matchups vs Georgia, LSU, and Texas — consistently holding up vs NFL-level defensive linemen in high-stakes environments.
Expected Impact:
- Year 1: Immediate starter at LG
- Year 2–3: Establishes himself as a top 10–15 guard in the league
- Short-Term Utility: Stabilizes protection gaps and enhances interior push
NFL Comparison:
Elgton Jenkins (Packers) – Similar size, grip strength, and ability to neutralize powerful DTs. Reliable in pass pro, aggressive in the run game.
Strengths:
- Heavy, accurate punch with great hand reset
- Creates movement at point of attack
- Excellent awareness on games/stunts
- Durable and proven vs elite competition
- Strong grip strength and wide anchor base
Weaknesses:
- Limited lateral agility and pulling range
- Below average testing; not a pure space mover
- Can struggle vs twitchy interior quickness
- Narrow role fit (gap/duo blocker only)
Background / Intangibles:
- IMG Academy product, former 5-star recruit
- Two-year starter at Alabama
- Considered a tone-setter and vocal leader in the OL room
- Clean medicals, no significant injuries
Positional Versatility:
- Primary: Left Guard
- Viable: Right Guard
- Emergency: Right Tackle in max protect looks
Scheme Fit:
- Best: Power, Inside Zone, Duo
- Viable: Gap-man hybrids
- Avoid: Wide zone systems
Development Timeline / Projection:
- Year 1: Day-one starter
- Year 2: Reliable, above-average LG
- Ceiling: Top-tier guard who anchors a young OL
- Floor: Low-end starter with elite run-blocking and stable pass protection
Cumulative Impact:
Booker provides the Dolphins with the physicality, intelligence, and discipline to immediately stabilize the left guard spot. He brings toughness and consistency to the interior, allowing for a more balanced offensive identity.
Starting OL Synergy: Paul – Booker – Brewer – Daniels – Jackson
| Position | Player | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| LT | Patrick Paul | Long-limbed, raw athlete, vertical-setter with high ceiling |
| LG | Tyler Booker | Power anchor, tone-setter, high floor |
| C | Aaron Brewer | Undersized but nimble; excels in reach blocks and combo pulls |
| RG | James Daniels | Technician with leverage and anchor; best in zone/duo |
| RT | Austin Jackson | Athletic mover with improved hand usage and balance |
Line Identity Outlook:
- Booker + Daniels provide the brute force inside; both are top-tier run-blockers in gap/duo
- Brewer’s agility balances Booker’s stiffness, allowing for coordinated interior combos
- Booker’s reliability in pass pro helps offset Patrick Paul’s expected rookie learning curve
- This unit blends high-upside tackle traits with experienced interior anchors — and Booker is the glue holding that left side together
Pro Scout Profile: TJ Sanders, DL, South Carolina
Draft Projection: Round 2 (Pick 48)
Position: Defensive Line (3T / 4i / 5T hybrid)
Height/Weight: 6'4" | 291 lbs
Arms: 33.5"
Hands: 10 1/8"
Wingspan: 81.5"
40-Yard Dash: 4.92s
10-Yard Split: 1.68s
Vertical Jump: 31.5"
Broad Jump: 9'2"
RAS: 8.46 — Good explosiveness and short-area quickness for interior DL
Player Overview:
TJ Sanders is an explosive interior disruptor with hybrid ability to play both 3-technique and 5-tech in even and odd fronts. His hands are violent, his first step is sudden, and his pursuit motor rarely shuts off. Though not a full-time gap controller, he wins with penetration, leverage, and fluid change-of-direction for a man pushing 290+.
Analytics Justification (2023–2024):
2023:
- 39 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 27 pressures
- 13.4% Pass Rush Win Rate
- 9.8% Run Stop Rate
- 3 batted passes
2024:
- 45 tackles, 9 TFLs, 5 sacks, 30 pressures
- 15.1% Pass Rush Win Rate (Top 10 among SEC DTs)
- 12.2% Run Stop Rate
- 2 forced fumbles
- PFF Grades: 84.5 overall, 87.1 pass rush, 81.9 run defense
Sanders finished second in the SEC in pressures among interior defenders, and routinely beat both guards and centers on quick-win reps.
Expected Impact:
- Year 1: Rotational 3T / interior subpackage rusher
- Year 2–3: Starter-caliber DT with interior disruption profile
- Snap Projection: 30–45% Year 1 with upside to increase in pass-heavy game scripts
NFL Comparison:
Sheldon Rankins (prime Saints) — Quick-footed interior lineman with a hybrid role and sudden hands. Similar body type and pass-rush profile.
Strengths:
- Lightning-quick first step and violent hands
- Plays low and wins leverage battles consistently
- Can two-gap in short-yardage situations despite weight
- Relentless pursuit and backside motor
- Versatility to play up and down the line in 3/4/5-man fronts
Weaknesses:
- Doesn’t consistently anchor vs double teams
- Some hip stiffness when redirected laterally
- Still developing secondary pass rush counters
- Better when attacking than reading/reacting
Background / Intangibles:
- Two-year starter for South Carolina
- High-effort, high-character player with consistent practice habits
- Teammates praised his self-motivation and in-game adjustments
- Clean medical history; no missed time due to injury
Positional Versatility:
- Primary: 3-Tech
- Viable: 4i, 5T in odd fronts
- Emergency: 1-Tech on passing downs or games/stunts
Scheme Fit:
- Best: Penetration-based fronts, multiple 3-4/4-2-5 defenses
- Viable: 4-3 under and 3-3-5 hybrid looks
- Avoid: Base 2-gap roles where length is prioritized over twitch
Development Timeline / Projection:
- Year 1: Rotational impact DT, especially in nickel
- Year 2: Competes for full-time 3T/5T starting role
- Ceiling: Disruptive interior DL with 6+ sack upside
- Floor: High-level rotational pass rusher and run stuffer
Cumulative Impact:
Sanders raises the interior disruption ceiling of any defensive line he joins. He generates pressure quickly and forces early throws, even when he doesn’t get the sack. The motor and twitch are constant.
Synergy with Current Miami Defensive Line
Projected Core DL/EDGE Room (Base & Sub Packages):
- Edge: Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson
- Interior: Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, Neil Farrell Jr., Warren Brinson
- Hybrids/Rotation: Mohamed Kamara, Cameron Goode, TJ Sanders
Role Integration & Synergy Highlights:
- As a 3T next to Sieler, Sanders draws attention off Sieler and isolates against guards, maximizing both players’ interior rush value
- In nickel, Sanders lines up next to Chubb/Phillips and rushes from tilted 3T or 4i, forming a pass-rush quartet with strong stunt potential
- In even fronts, Sanders rotates with Sieler to stay fresh while keeping the interior penetration constant
- With Brinson and Farrell on early downs, Sanders can be preserved for 3rd-down subpackage havoc
This configuration allows Miami to build a 3-down rotation with specialized roles—Sanders being the "surge engine" in high-pressure looks
Package Synergy
Base 4-2-5 / Quarters (vs 11 personnel)
Nickel (5 DBs)
Dime (6 DBs)
Big Nickel (vs 12/21 or mobile QBs)
Goal Line / Short Yardage
Special Teams Core
How They All Fit Together
Primary Linebackers
Optimized Package Deployment
Nickel 4-2-5 (vs 11 Personnel)
Short Yardage / Goal Line (6-1 or 5-2)
Overall Unit Synergy Grade: A-
Running Backs Room
Running Back Synergy Summary
Offensive Identity Match
Projected Core WR Group
Tai Felton + Tahj Washington + Dee Eskridge
WR Room + OL/RB/TE Integration
