The Miami Dolphins used their 1st round pick to shore up the defensive line with Kenneth Grant from Michigan. But there’s still plenty of work that needs to be done on both sides of the ball. Lots of great players are still on the board for Miami’s front office to target with the 48th overall selection. Here are five names to look out for tonight.
Will Johnson: CB Michigan
Every draft sees at least a couple of players slide farther than anyone could have imagined. Last night that happened to the 6’2″ lockdown corner from Michigan. Health concerns stemming from a knee issue may have caused his stock to freefall, but the question now is whether that fall will continue into the 2nd round. There is a high likelihood that his name gets called early tonight, so this could be a player that GM Chris Grier would have to trade up for. Regardless if he falls or if Miami moves up to pick him, the upside is incredible with his ability in both press and zone coverage plus his great ball skills.
Xavier Watts: S Notre Dame
Another option for patching up the secondary is by taking a look at a ball hawking safety with elite instincts. Watts collected 13 interceptions over the last two seasons. The former receiver turned defender is a two time consensus All-American and the 2023 Bronko Nagurski winner for best overall defensive player. He lacks the premium athleticism and size scouts love to see, but his stats speak for themselves. As a bonus he is also a special teams asset. The Dolphins would make the loss of Jevon Holland a lot less painful by replacing him with Watts.
Luther Burden III: WR Missouri
HC Mike McDaniel loves his speedsters, and Burden explodes like dynamite off the snap. His numbers took a tumble from his 2023 campaign where he reeled in 86 passes for 1212 yards, but the talent is there. He creates great separation with his quickness and capitalizes on it with some of the most reliable hands in the game. Wide Receiver is not the Dolphins top priority if the team and their megastar Tyreek Hill can get along. But even if Hill stays, what’s the harm in adding another great receiving target into the mix?
Mason Taylor: TE LSU
Taylor is a descendent of Miami Dolphins royalty who shattered school records for tight end production with the Tigers. He has fantastic hands and a clutch gene. Jonnu Smith thrived in Miami last year but 2025 will be his last year under contract and is turning 30 this summer. Mike McDaniel likes ends who can catch and block so he has some work to do improving as a blocker. But if Chris Grier wants to find a long term answer at the position, Taylor will be a reliable target for years to come.
Marcus Mbow: OT Purdue
If the Dolphins cannot decide between grabbing a guard or a tackle, go with the Purdue junior that started at RG and RT during his college career. Mbow has rare levels of positional flexibility and even rarer agility for a guy who is 6’4″ and 300 lbs. He paves the way in the run game and has a grasp on high level hand technique too. He does however have an injury history and lacks the ideal arm length to be a tackle in the pros. Still Mbow stands out as a Swiss army knife on the offensive line with his proven success at multiple positions.
