Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins added University of Miami (FL) WR Sam Brown Jr. as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.

Sam Brown Jr. is a long-legged strider with field-stretching speed to take the top off the defense. 

Brown is an explosive, raw athlete. He stresses defenses vertically, especially if left unattended or uncovered at the line. He opens his long stride and glides past coverage defenders with their eyes in the backfield. He possesses the athleticism to be a weapon down the field off play action. 

Brown flashes good football IQ against zone defenses, where he finds open space and works into the creases confidently. Brown is a smooth route-runner with fairly good hips to sink at the top of his routes. He snaps off quick hitches and comeback routes with good timing and readiness for the throw. Brown is a physical route-runner. If the corner is grabby, he will fight through the contact effectively. 

For a receiver with his athletic ability and NFL size, Brown’s touchdown production is minimal. Only nine receiving touchdowns in five collegiate seasons is hard to understand.

Brown is not as sure-handed as some teams would prefer. He averaged four drops in three straight seasons. He needs to expand his release package against press-man alignment. He lacks the creativity to keep corners on their toes. He needs to develop answers for long-limbed and athletic perimeter defenders in the NFL. 

Overall, Brown projects to be a WR4/5 with the physical tools and size to warrant a chance to compete for growth during training camp and the preseason. If he can eliminate his repetitive release package and become more reliable in contested-catch situations, he should have a chance to make a 53-man roster.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 200

HAND: 9⅜"

ARM: 31⅝"

WINGSPAN: 77⅞"

40-YARD DASH: 4.44

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: 41.5"

BROAD: N/A

POSITIVES

— Long-striding vertical threat with top-end speed to win down the field.

— Excels finding open grass and voids against zone coverages.

— Smooth-moving route-runner with good hips at the break point.

NEGATIVES

— Lowly touchdown production over career. Only had nine in five seasons.

— Uncreative release package to quickly escape press-aligned CBs.

— Lacks the open-field elusiveness to be a consistent yards-after-catch threat.

NOTES

— Born August 15, 2002

— 3-star recruit in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2023 Honorable Mention All-Big 12

GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 208

POSITION RANK: WR27

PRO COMPARISON: Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Miami Dolphins added Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.

Andrew Armstrong is a tall, long-limbed receiver who's capable of aligning in multiple positions in the formation. 

Armstrong’s build is suited for the traditional X/boundary receiver position. He uses his frame well to win the inside track. Armstrong excels as a horizontal route-runner—slants, shallow crossers, digs and over routes. On those routes across the field, Andrews does a good job putting defenders in trail/chase mode. He reads coverages well to identify if it’s man or zone post-snap and will decelerate into the void between the hashes. His hand usage is good to fend off handsy/grabby defenders mid-stem. 

Armstrong’s biggest attribute is his ball skills. He attacks the ball at its highest point with a strong leaping ability. He fully extends with his entire frame to pluck the ball away from his body. He doesn’t require pinpoint-accurate passes to make a play. He plays all three wide receiver positions, and that alignment versatility helps create favorable matchups and targets. 

Unfortunately, Armstrong is not a fluid route-runner or mover. He is best suited for one-directional routes instead of multiple cuts due to his hip stiffness. Armstrong struggles to generate separation consistently against tight man coverage. His breaks lack sharpness and crispness.

Armstrong isn’t a dynamic starter to blow by defenders at the snap and stack them vertically. His speed should be categorized as "buildup." As a result, Armstrong will be more of a short-to-intermediate threat. His vertical wins will come off contested catches more times than not. That lack of twitch and agility limits his ceiling as a run-after-the-catch threat. 

Overall, Armstrong is a tall and long receiver who is a ball-winner on contested catches. He projects as a WR4/5 with the chance to move up the pecking order if he can prove to be an adequate route-runner/separator against NFL cornerbacks. 

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 202

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 32⅛"

WINGSPAN: 79½"

40-YARD DASH: 4.51

3-CONE: 6.97

SHUTTLE: 4.18

VERTICAL: 37.5"

BROAD: 10'4"

POSITIVES

— Tall and linear athlete with strong leaping ability and catch radius.

— Good body control on the boundary as a contested-catch ball-winner.

— Wins regularly against off-man and zone coverages.

NEGATIVES

— Is not an explosive or dynamic starter off the ball.

— Buildup speed creates difficulty in winning vertically against press-man.

— Tight-hipped route-runner who does not generate enough space out of his route breaks.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 31, 2000

— 0-Star recruit in 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Second-Team All-SEC

GRADE: 6.0 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round) 

OVERALL RANK: 226

POSITION RANK: WR31

PRO COMPARISON: DeMarcus Robinson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Miami Dolphins selected Texas QB Quinn Ewers with the No. 231 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Quinn Ewers flashes the potential to be a high-end quarterback but lacks consistency.

When kept clean in the pocket and in a groove, Ewers can deliver the football with timing and accuracy like a point guard on the hardwood. He throws with good pacing for catchable passes. Ewers can live in the short and intermediate areas of the field. His arm angles provide an outlet to throw around defenders pushing the pocket in his lap.

Again, when "locked in," Ewers throws with great anticipation, with the ball meeting the receiver quickly out of their breaks. At his best, he is working on time and on schedule to execute the offense as designed. Ewers has functional mobility in a straight line to break contain and get valuable yardage with his legs. He can get 10-plus yards if the coast is clear on the perimeter and keep the chains moving. Ewers displays confidence in delivering passes on the move and slightly off-platform.

As a passer, Ewers thrives attacking the portion of the field that NFL QBs find success. He throws between the hashes and in the middle of the field with confidence and tough, layering passes over defenders' heads. His ball placement should be appreciated; Ewers hits crossing receivers in stride for opportunities at yards after the catch.

Pushing the football down the field and outside the number has not been kind to Ewers this season. His passes are losing steam the further he attempts to down the field. His arm is functional and efficient but not great by any means. Ewers' lower body mechanics tend to be erratic and inconsistent. He does not step into throws and will attempt passes from a flat-footed base in the pocket. As a result, Ewers's throws lose steam, far hash to sideline throws are not his strength. Those passes sail and float in the air—against NFL athletes at the cornerback position; the results can be turnovers. Ewers's pocket presence is hectic; he does not display patience in the pocket to consistently navigate it. He tends to bail clean pockets when the pressure has not broken through.

Overall, Quinn Ewers is a talented, point guard-style quarterback prospect. He possesses starting-caliber talent but lacks consistency or the killer instinct to put opponents away when the opportunity presents itself. Ewers can benefit from learning behind an established veteran before being given the chance to take the reigns of an NFL franchise.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 214

HAND: 9⅜"

ARM: 30¾"

WINGSPAN: 75"

POSITIVES

— Arm angles to make throws around defenders collapsing the pocket.

— Off-platform throws, confident making throws on the move when forced out of the pocket.

— Functional mobility to break contain and extend plays when flushed by the pass rush.

— Effective point-guard style QB who can efficiently operate a well-designed offense.

NEGATIVES

— Overall arm talent is adequate; does not display velocity or zip on drive throws further down the field.

— Patience and presence in the pocket, tends to bail clean pockets.

— Lower body mechanics lack consistency and do not step into throws, leading to passes losing steam.

— Dip in play when defensive pressure is felt, forces throws in risky situations for potential turnovers.

NOTES

— Born March 15, 2003

— 5-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Second Team All-SEC; Maxwell Award semifinalist; Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Top-10 Finalist; Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist

— 2023 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention; Davey O'Brien Award Award semifinalist

GRADE: 7.0 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter—3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 106

POSITION RANK: QB6

PRO COMPARISON: Andy Dalton

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Miami Dolphins selected Arizona IOL Jonah Savaiinaea with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Jonah Savaiinaea is a three-year starter inside Arizona's 55-45 pass-run split, shotgun, zone-based run scheme with counter/power concepts sprinkled in. Savaiinaea has a dense, thick build with solid arm length, play strength and athletic ability.

Savaiinaea is a solid overall run blocker using his wide-bodied frame, sound footwork and good spatial awareness to hit his aiming points with jolt on zone combinations, overtakes and backside cut-offs with enough burst to line up targets as a puller in Arizona's pin-pull series. He is proficient at knowing when to help, overtake, or release to the most dangerous man when uncovered, but his middling redirect skills sap his ability to consistently line up, scraping backers on climbs.

In pass protection, Savaiinaea is a functional right tackle with heavy hands to snap rushers' heads back when his timing is right before quickly engulfing them or using his signature snatch-trap technique to end the rep quickly. He has a bad habit of drifting into oversets and opening his hips early against widely aligned rushers when he's on an island, creating a soft inside shoulder. Savaiinaea has shaky footwork when transitioning into his anchor, which can get him pressed on his heels and pried open against speed to power.

Overall, Savaiinaea is best suited inside at guard in the NFL, where his starter-level size, square power, and initial quicks can earn him a starting role early in his rookie contract.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 324

HAND: 10¼"

ARM: 33⅞"

WINGSPAN: 82¼"

40-YARD DASH: 4.95

3-CONE: NA

SHUTTLE: 4.66

VERTICAL: 29"

BROAD: 8'10"

POSITIVES

— Wide-bodied frame with thick limbs and a barrel chest

— Solid initial burst out of his stance to get to his spots in pass protection and line up targets as a puller

— Delivers a good amount of shock and jolt from his hands on contact to snap rushers' head back and displace/feed defensive tackles over on double-teams.

— Has an effective snatch-trap technique to defeat the long-arm, steal leverage and end reps quickly in pass protection.

— Shows good spatial awareness, timing and feel when uncovered in the pass and run game to know when to man his gap or release to the most dangerous man.

NEGATIVES

— Below average recovery skills.

— Struggles to effectively brace, root his feet and transition into his anchor when rushers convert speed to power.

— Has a bad habit of drifting and opening his hips early in his angled set against wide rush alignments that creates a soft inside shoulder.

NOTES

— 3-star recruit from the 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 36 career starts at left tackle (five), right guard (15) and right tackle (16)

— Team captain

GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player - 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 59

POSITION RANK: IOL7

PRO COMPARISON: Matthew Bergeron

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

The Miami Dolphins selected Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II with the No. 179 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Ollie Gordon is a big, strong, and physical downhill running back who thrives when blocking is executed properly.

He blends NFL size and strength well to fit into a gap-scheme rushing offense. When Gordon can attack decisively downhill with good blocking, he will create issues for the second and third-level defenders. At full speed, he finishes runs and will set the tone early in games if given the chance. Gordon displays good balance to absorb contact and stay on his feet. He is a patient runner with good vision and allows blocks to form before springing into the open field. Gordon generates big plays in the run game when given room to operate, allowing him to build speed. When he reaches top speed, he eats up grass with his long stride.

Gordon is a functional receiver out of the backfield with solid hands. He is a reliable check-down option in the flats and underneath. Once the football is in his hands, he gears up to top speed and runs with a violent intent. Defensive backs have business decisions to make, with Gordon bearing down on them. He is a functional and sturdy pass protector. Gordon stands tall in the pocket, finds the immediate threat to the quarterback, and stonewalls them.

Despite his buildup speed, Gordon is not an explosive athlete when forced to move laterally. He thrives working downhill, but attacking the perimeter has mixed results. Gordon is not an effective stop-and-start runner, once his feet come to a stop, he struggles to get going and generate forward momentum. He is a high-hipped mover with limited change of direction ability. Gordon's short area burst/acceleration is average at best. He will not explode through running lanes and takes time to gear up to top speed. He can be caught from behind before reaching his last gear. He lacks the creativity as a runner to make something out of nothing. If the offensive line cannot create runways for him, Gordon's effectiveness plummets.

Overall, Ollie Gordon III is a strong downhill runner. When given running lanes, he is an effective runner. Gordon projects as a gap scheme offensive fit and backup running back. Under the right circumstances, Gordon offers a potential starter.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 226

HAND: 9½"

ARM: 32¾"

WINGSPAN: 80"

40-YARD DASH: 4.61

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: 34.5"

BROAD: 10'

POSITIVES

— He displays good build-up speed to generate sizeable gains once he breaks the second level of the defense.

— Will lower the shoulder with a powerful running style and punish defenders.

— At his best with attacking the line of scrimmage downhill, creating more decisive reps.

— Solid agility and functionality in space as a pass catcher.

NEGATIVES

— Creativity as a runner when initial rushing lanes are filled/closed.

— Is not an explosive enough athlete to win footrace and outrun defensive pursuit angles consistently.

— Productivity took a massive dip from 2023 to 2024, flaws in profile have been highlighted as a result.

— Lacks short area burst and explosiveness to pop through running lanes against stacked fronts.

NOTES

— Born Jan. 15, 2004

— 4-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2023: Doak Walker Award Winner; Unanimous All-American; Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year; First Team All-Big 12

GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 151

POSITION RANK: RB16

PRO COMPARISON: Braelon Allen

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Miami Dolphins selected Maryland S Dante Trader Jr. with the No. 155 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Dante Trader Jr. is a versatile safety from Maryland who brings athleticism and strong run support to the field. Standing at 5'11", 202 pounds, Trader is known for his quick feet, versatility and physicality, making him a valuable asset in both the coverage and run games. His ability to read plays and react quickly positions him as a high-level backup with the potential to develop into an NFL starter.

Trader excels in zone coverage, where his quick feet and fluid movement allow him to patrol underneath routes effectively. He plays with good awareness, quickly identifying threats and breaking on the ball with timing and precision. His ball skills are commendable, particularly when he is in position to swipe through the catch point and disrupt passes. Trader is most comfortable when he can break on the ball from a flat-footed stance or a slow creep, allowing him to use his instincts and burst to close gaps. However, his speed is limited to above average, which can lead to separation when covering downfield. While not a liability in man coverage, Trader can struggle against more athletic tight ends who can create separation, making him more suited for zone schemes or underneath coverage responsibilities.

In run defense, Trader shines with his ability to quickly trigger downhill and close ground efficiently. He takes excellent angles to the ball carrier and is a very secure tackler, particularly in open space. His instincts and awareness in the box allow him to flow well with the play, and he isn't afraid to insert himself into the run wherever needed. Trader's tackling technique is solid, as he fronts up ball-carriers with his chest and drives his feet through contact, ensuring he brings down the ball carrier with authority. His physicality and reliability in the run game make him a valuable defender, particularly in situations where run support is critical.

Dante Trader Jr. projects as an early-round pick with the potential to develop into an NFL starter. His versatility in coverage and strong run defense makes him a valuable asset, particularly in zone-heavy schemes where his awareness and instincts can be maximized. While he may need to improve his speed and man coverage skills to handle more athletic tight ends and receivers, Trader's overall skill set provides a strong foundation for growth. With further development, he has the potential to become a reliable and impactful player.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 202

VERTICAL: 31"

BROAD: 9'9"

3-CONE: 7.09

SHUTTLE: 4.32

POSITIVES

— Versatile defender with fluid movement in coverage. He shows quick feet, above-average change of direction and burst.

— Plays with very good awareness in underneath zone coverage. He quickly identifies threats and breaks on the ball in air.

— Very strong run game defender. He quickly triggers to what he sees, closing ground with great angles and ability to adjust as he closes in. Very secure tackler in space.

— Flows well in the box, looking to insert in the run wherever he can. Fronts up ball-carriers with his chest and drives his feet through the contact.

NEGATIVES

— Limited to above-average-speed, he can allow separation when covering downfield.

— Can be picked on when in man coverage. Tight ends can create separation.

NOTES

— Games Started: 35

— 3-Star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

—2024 Left arm injury in week 5 against Indiana. Out for two weeks.

— 2023 Music City Bowl

— 2022 Dukes Mayo Bowl

— Senior Bowl

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 71

POSITION RANK: S6

PRO COMPARISON: Jimmie Ward

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly hosting a 2025 NFL draft prospect with family ties to the franchise.

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that LSU tight end Mason Taylor was in South Beach on Thursday for a pre-draft visit with the Dolphins. Taylor is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Dolphins legend Jason Taylor, who spent 13 of his 15 NFL seasons in Miami.

The 20-year-old is coming off a strong junior season for the Tigers in which he registered career highs of 55 catches and 546 yards while also adding two touchdowns. At his pro day last month, he registered a 4.65 40-yard dash and completed 28 reps on the bench press:

Mason Taylor at LSU Pro Day 👀

🐯 4.65s 40-yard dash
🐯 28 bench press reps

Both would've been 2nd among TEs at the Combine.

(via @Saints, h/t @cameronwolfe)pic.twitter.com/eBqWQwoS0S

— NFL (@NFL) March 26, 2025

B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranks Taylor as the No. 4 tight end in this year's draft class, so he could be a solid mid-round selection for the Dolphins, who will be picking at No. 13 in the first round. Miami owns 10 picks in this year's draft, giving the team the chance to add some major talent to its roster.

If the Dolphins choose to keep it in the family and draft Taylor, he would be a strong addition to a skilled crop of pass-catchers led by receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and tight end Jonnu Smith.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill told fans on X that next year will be his best yet.

This will be my best year yet dolfans ✌🏿

— Ty Hill (@cheetah) March 1, 2025

Hill is an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time First Team All-Pro who made the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-2010s Team.

His best statistical year occurred in 2023, when Hill amassed 119 catches for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns. All three numbers are career-high marks, with the yardage and receiving score totals

He finished second in the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year race (behind only San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey) due to his efforts.

That'll be tough for Hill (or really any player) to top, simply because it was one of the best wide receiver seasons in recent memory.

In the interim, Hill is trying to bounce back from a year of regression in which he caught 81 passes for 959 yards and six touchdowns. Hill (and the rest of the offense) notably struggled for six games without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who missed four contests due to a concussion and two more with a hip injury.

A healthy Tagovailoa could lead to a bounceback season for him and the Dolphins, who finished 8-9 and outside the playoffs after making the postseason in 2022 and 2023. Miami still has the talent to shine offensively, as much of the talent from the 2023 season, when the team finished second in scoring, still remains.

Clearly, Hill has high hopes for a great year as he looks forward to 2025.

Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, an impending free agent, appears resigned to playing elsewhere in 2025 and beyond per comments made on Breakin’ House Rules podcast (h/t Adam Stites of Dolphins Wire).

“Transparently, seeing the Dolphins post things like the Valentine’s Day stuff or like any kind of edit and things like that. You can see guys that may not be here next year or may be somewhere else are just not in it,” Holland said.

“I’m following them on Instagram, right? And I’m not in none of this [expletive] no more. I’m like, 'OK, they’ve kinda moved on.'

"I get it. I understand the decision to do that because I would do the same if I was in the same position. But from my perspective, I’m just watching it like — I get it, but like, OK, this is the effects of being a free agent. Your team, or what was your team, starts to phase you out, in a way.”

As Stites noted, the Dolphins recently shared a Valentine’s Day Instagram post featuring 12 different players, including Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle and Jalen Ramsey. Holland, who was a team captain in 2022 and 2023, was not among them.

Per Stites, 11 of the 12 players were under contract for 2025, with the exception of Calais Campbell, who could be retiring after 17 seasons.

Holland should be getting paid handsomely in free agency, and the 8-9 Dolphins, who at the moment have just $1,562,955 in cap space (27th in the NFL), per Over the Cap, may just not have the room to keep him.

Holland, who will be 25 next season, is ranked third on Pro Football Focus’ list of the top 2025 free agents.

"A second-round draft pick out of Oregon in 2021, Holland has ranked as one of the five highest-graded safeties in two of his first three seasons in the league," PFF wrote.

"He earned a career-low 63.0 PFF overall grade in 2024, but his body of work more than speaks for itself."

Plus, Miami needs resources to shore up other areas of this team, with the offensive line arguably chief among them to help keep Tagovailoa healthy and upright.

Ultimately, signs are pointing to Holland playing elsewhere next season, but he served his team well on his rookie contract and should be getting a nice second deal as a veteran shortly.

Jevon Holland's time with the Miami Dolphins could be coming to an end this offseason.

Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reported Wednesday that Miami is not expected to apply the franchise tag to the safety, which would open up the door for him to test the open market as a free agent.

"It's not a surprise given their cap situation," Wolfe said. "They have a lot of needs elsewhere and not as much money to spend."

Dolphins not expected to put the franchise tag on safety Jevón Holland putting him on track to test free agency as top player at his position, barring any surprises.

For @nflnetwork The Insiders nuggets on Holland, Terron Armstead, Tyreek Hill & interesting #Dolphins offseason: pic.twitter.com/OzsosJfg7t

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) February 19, 2025

Holland figures to draw plenty of interest from around the league. He'll be only 25 years old for the entirety of the 2025 campaign and should have a number of productive seasons remaining in his career.

The Oregon product entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft and immediately made an impact with 10 pass breakups, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions as a rookie. While he didn't surpass those numbers in the ensuing three seasons, he remained productive at the back end of Miami's defense.

Holland notched 62 tackles, four pass breakups, one sack and one forced fumble while appearing in 15 games for the Dolphins last season even though he dealt with a broken hand.

Pro Football Focus gave him a solid 63.0 overall grade for the 2024 campaign.

B/R's Kristopher Knox ranked Holland as the fourth-best overall potential free agent this offseason behind only Josh Sweat, Tee Higgins and Trey Smith. Knox highlighted the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders as potential suitors given their need for productive playmakers in the secondary.

As for the Dolphins, Over The Cap ranks them just 27th in the league in available cap space heading into the offseason. They don't have much flexibility to add to their roster this offseason, and it seems like they will lose Holland as a result.

That's excellent news for teams that need safety help, as Holland has the potential to be one of the best players in the league at his position.