Matt Miller of ESPN 7-Round Dolphins Mock Draft

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch. Quicker than fast, featuring early acceleration to open seam throws but flashes late burst when needed. More play strength is needed for NFL press and he needs to avoid rushing through multi-breaking routes. He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.

Strengths

• Efficient press release with early acceleration to bypass.
• Manipulates defenders out of position with route acumen.
• Snaps off out-breaking routes at crisp angles.
• Displays above-average burst from turns to gain separation.
• Ball-tracking adjustments and catch timing are elite.
• Ridiculous grip strength once the football hits his hands.
• Elevates his toughness and focus when catch is contested.
• Good patience with late catch adjustment to save his catch space.
• Already dropping two feet inbounds near the sideline.
• Willing run blocker who gives legitimate effort.

Weaknesses

• Could use a hair more patience to prevent rushing the route.
• Appears quicker than fast when working vertical routes.
• Can be a little slow disengaging once captured underneath.
• Competitive but relatively ordinary after the catch.
• Needs runway to break off comebacks out of the drive phase.

Round 1, Pick #30: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

“Receiver isn’t the only position where the Dolphins suffered significant personnel losses. Miami was also decimated in the secondary after Kader Kohou, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas all left. That created a sizable hole at corner, and the 6-foot, 193-pound Hood could fill it. He has 4.44 speed and excellent ability to play the press scheme new coach Jeff Hafley prefers.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Press-man bully with an ability to put his stamp on the first and last phases of the snap. Hood plays with a disruptive punch and gets his hands on most releases, but shifty NFL wideouts could create issues for him. He has enough speed to stay phased on verticals and does a nice job erasing space on in-breakers from tight press or off-man looks. He’s disciplined in zone but route switches still cause occasional missteps. Hood plays with aggression in the catch space, taking top positioning by force. Physicality also shows up in run support, where he triggers downhill with stopping power and finishes like an extra safety. Hood needs to sharpen his instincts/technique, but he has the mentality and upside to become a CB2 in a press-heavy scheme.

Strengths

• Plays with box-safety physicality in coverage and run support.
• Punches and suffocates outside release against boundary.
• Demands the catch space on jump-ball battles.
• Gathers and triggers with adequate fluidity from depth.
• Operates with discipline/leverage against high/low route concepts.
• Explodes vertically with extended arms to capture high-point.
• Run-defense wiring is exactly what coaches want to see.
• Above-average stopping power when tackling bigger backs.

Weaknesses

• Could struggle matching twitchy NFL releases.
• Hips can get sticky on sudden, aggressive transitions.
• Grabby at break points or vertical routes when he’s out of phase.
• Gets too dialed in to receiver and loses track of ball flight.
• Still developing his instincts from off coverages.
• Leggy with sluggish change of direction as open-field tackler.

Round 2, Pick #43: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

“The Dolphins’ new-look offense will want to feature the tight end because of coordinator Bobby Slowik’s scheme, which has San Francisco roots. Stowers is an elite athlete who had record-setting broad (11 feet, 3 inches) and vertical (45½ inches) jumps at the combine. That explosiveness shows up on tape, especially off the line of scrimmage and out of breaks in his route tree.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Stowers is an explosive quarterback convert with just three years at the tight end position. He’s an excellent athlete with long arms but needs to keep filling out his frame. He’s a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and massive run-after-catch talent. While his route-running and contested-catch ability need work, he excels at moving the chains on screens/short catches. He has the speed to threaten downfield against linebackers. His run-blocking ceiling might be low, but his traits create above-average potential as a pass-catching “F” tight end, fitting the growing trend of utilizing two- and three-tight-end sets more heavily.

Strengths

• Adjusts to route redirection and can beat linebackers down the seam.
• Displayed good in-and-out quickness from his breaks versus Texas.
• Hands-catcher who excels in bringing in throws from outside his frame.
• Tracks downfield throws, adjusting speed and positioning accordingly.
• Seven-foot high-jumper who can leap, extend and catch at the highest point.
• Dangerous acceleration and elusiveness to add yards after the catch.
• Ability to stalk and mirror as a positional blocker in the slot.

Weaknesses

• Coasts into route breaks and drifts instead of making crisp cuts.
• Bad habit of letting off the gas and shirking his true play speed.
• Can be accosted at the top of the route by handsy coverage.
• Inconsistent to claim his catch space on contested throws.
• Commitment and aggression as a run blocker is not where it needs to be.
• Has no special-teams experience.

Round 3, Pick #75: Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan

“Bradley Chubb is gone to Buffalo, leaving room for a young speed rusher to flourish. Barham is a converted linebacker with tons of potential on the edge.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Barham logged most of his snaps at off-ball linebacker, but his 2025 tape showed explosiveness that will attract teams seeking a developmental rush ‘backer in an odd front. He’s raw as a rusher, relying heavily on athleticism, but the missing elements are teachable. Whether outside or inside, he’s a professional block-beater with the tools to stack or slip blocks, though his edge-setting needs work. His bend and reactive agility create unlikely tackle chances that few can find. His intensity and motor are top-tier but he needs to play with better discipline to avoid negative snaps. With explosive traits and inside-outside versatility, he projects as an impactful future starter once his technique catches up.

Strengths

• Impresses off the bus with prototypical size, length and musculature.
• Pairs disruptive traits and playing style with a salty demeanor.
• Capable of lining up as an inside linebacker or stand-up edge.
• Delivers knock-back pop to blockers and can quickly shed.
• Plays through or around blocks without losing positioning.
• His first three steps are sudden and threatening as a rusher.
• Dips, rips and flattens the edge against slower tackles.
• Elite bend and reactive agility allow him to tackle from unlikely angles.
• Smooth and rangy with his spot drops in coverage.
• Remarkable stop-start quickness when changing direction.

Weaknesses

• Takes chances inside that lead to loss of contain for the defense.
• Frenetic playing style can lead to missteps and missed tackles.
• Buzzes over top of the pocket instead of finding the drop depth.
• Rush features reactive movement but lacks instinctive hand counters.
• Aggression can work against him with 15-yard penalties.

Round 3, Pick #87: VJ Payne, S, Kansas State

“The trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick and loss of Ashtyn Davis in free agency mean a starter is needed at safety. Payne is an elite mover with top-tier finishing ability as a tackler.”

NFL.com Drat Profile

Overview

Long and rangy, Payne is a durable 42-game starter and team captain who can play inside the box, over the slot and as a split safety. His coverage tape pops more than his run support and tackling. He reads and responds with good timing from depth and uses his length to smother the catch point in man coverage when matched inside. Payne held his own against three of the Big 12’s best receiving tight ends in 2025. He will do his job as a run defender but lacks an enforcer’s conviction and gets hung up on blocks too easily. Payne’s measurables and coverage versatility improve his chances of becoming a productive pro.

Strengths

• Size and length will be enticing for evaluators.
• Offers versatility for alignments and assignments.
• Quick to diagnose and close the distance to squeeze run lanes.
• Flashes ability to drop pads and drive through runners/receivers.
• Possesses anticipation and range to play over the top as a split safety.
• Smothers downfield receivers in man coverage, tilting 50/50 balls his way.
• Irritant, using length and well-timed swats to knock catch chances away.
• Locked down Baylor TE Michael Trigg in their matchups.

Weaknesses

• Average transition quickness mirroring in-breaking routes.
• Too passive in attacking and disrupting screen plays.
• Doesn’t play with ideal urgency and toughness against the run.
• Rides way too long on blockers instead of getting rid of them.
• Slow to gather as an open-field tackler and overruns his mark.
• Arm tackling allows runners to slip free from his grasp.

Round 3, Pick #90: Trey Zuhn III, G, Texas A&M

“Right guard should be open for a newcomer, and Zuhn has the technique and experience to quickly win the job. He was a left tackle at A&M, but most scouts think his future is inside, given his shorter arms (32½ inches).”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

A four-year starting left tackle with deep family ties to Texas A&M, Zuhn will likely slide inside to center or guard as a pro due to a lack of functional length. He has first-step quickness to reach lateral landmarks but lacks ideal athleticism to play in space and is more consistently effective working double-teams and combo blocks. His anchor and savvy help mitigate his lack of length, but he could struggle to mirror and recover quickly enough when beaten by athletic rushers or twists. Zuhn projects as “solid” more than “standout” but he could have a long career as a starter at center or guard while offering emergency help as a tackle.

Strengths

• Four-year starter and team captain in 2025.
• Mirrors rusher while maintaining proper base width.
• Has enough anchor for a move inside.
• Hits hand resets with independent hands when needed.
• Quick first step laterally creates advantages on reach blocks.
• Keeps looking for someone to block until the whistle blows.
• Fires stiff under-hooks and unlocks hips into his base blocks.
• Displayed good radar and fitted contact as a lead-pulling center in limited snaps.

Weaknesses

• Average range in pass slides to patrol both A-gaps.
• Lacks recovery agility when rushers beat him on his edge.
• Below-average quickness and athleticism in space.
• Two-gappers create early separation with length.
• Leans into run blocks, creating imbalance and tougher adjustments.
• Inconsistent technique and timing on his work-up blocks.

Round 3, Pick #94: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

“After adding Lemon in Round 1, Miami needs a physical wideout who can win on the outside. That’s Sarratt (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), who has a route tree that often leaves him open against press coverage.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Big receiver whose competitiveness and elite catch-phase execution allow him to overcome his athletic limitations. While he’s nicknamed “Waffle House” because he’s said to be “always open,” Sarratt sees a high number of contested targets versus man coverage. He’s tight-hipped with below-average foot quickness and falls below the line as a separator. Once the throw goes up, however, he consistently beats corners with size, body control and catch-space strength to clean up. He’ll face press matchups that leave his catch column dry, but he’s built and wired for possession targets over the first two levels.

Strengths

• Torched Oregon twice last season, posting 15 catches for 196 yards and three TDs against the Ducks.
• Rugged and urgent when battling against physical coverage.
• Disciplined route-running disguises his route intentions.
• Speed changes and crisp cuts create space at route breaks.
• Uses big frame and catch-space strength to dominate 50/50s.
• Dominated back-shoulder balls and slot fades.
• Tough to bring him down with the ball in his hands.
• Deadens legs and dots feet inbounds at the boundary.

Weaknesses

• Tight strider with below-average release quickness.
• Will find blockades against stronger NFL press.
• Noticeable loss of speed through stems and turns.
• Downfield routes are easily phased by good man coverage.
• Lacks second gear to run under a deep throw.
• Labors opening hips and makes reactive, off-frame catches.

Round 4, Pick #130: Austin Barber, OT, Florida

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Tall tackle prospect with starting experience at both tackle spots. He’s played against top-tier talent in the SEC, which bolsters his case, but his struggles against Texas A&M and Miami provide an idea of his ceiling. He has good feet and strong hands. He knows how to play but he struggles to bend and drive at the point of attack. Same goes for anchoring or defending his edges against power rushers. Barber projects as a Day 3 pick with a chance of becoming a swing tackle.

Strengths

• High school hooper with body control and foot quickness.
• Quick to gain ground on initial sets and punches with timing.
• Effective use of “snatch-and-trap” to battle longer rushers.
• Strong hands can clinch and control defenders by their pads.
• Keeps pads square and eyes to second level before climbing.
• Hustles to hit his landmarks for back-side cutoffs.

Weaknesses

• High punch diminishes core power and causes slippage.
• Struggles with technique and anchor to beat bull rushers.
• Leaning and oversets see him countered by spin moves.
• Needs double teams to generate push as drive blocker.
• Feet lag behind upper body, causing lunging into first contact.
• Below average knee bend and pad level for adjustments in space.

Round 5, Pick #151: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Randall, a former wide receiver, is new to his position, but his blend of size, top-end speed and pass-catching ability make him an intriguing prospect. He’s an upright long-strider with surprising one-cut quickness and home-run potential. He doesn’t run with pro-level rhythm, recognition or timing, but improvement awaits. He’s willful once he’s downhill, using balance and force to maximize yardage after collisions. His receiving skills create mismatches against man coverage and allow for alignment versatility. Randall is still raw, but RBs with his size, speed and route skill are rare. He offers value as a developmental option with RB2 upside in a zone-heavy scheme.

Strengths

• Tremendous blend of size and top-end speed.
• Improved at following blocks as season progressed.
• One-cut runner who can plant and cut sharply on outside-zone carries.
• Presses forward through contact for tough yardage and touchdowns.
• Former wideout with alignment and route versatility.
• Separates from linebackers and catches with soft hands.
• Has experience to project as a viable kick returner.

Weaknesses

• Upright runner getting through the line of scrimmage.
• Can be clunky with his feet when stacking cuts.
• Displays indecisiveness without a clear point of entry.
• Struggles to make decisions moving at top speed.
• Suffered ACL tear (2022), broken hand (2023) and stress fracture in toe (2024).
• Has yet to show improved technique/toughness in blitz protection.

Round 7, Pick #227: Logan Fano, EDGE, Utah

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

An edge defender with pro size and strength, Fano is capable of playing standing up or with a hand down. He plays with a blend of hurry and heart that keeps him keyed in on the action. However, urgency can become impatience, which pulls him out of position and opens him to counters/misdirection. He’s quick but lacks upfield juice to challenge the edge. His rush plan is too predictable and overly reliant on feet over hands. He’ll shine on special teams and has toughness to defend a pro run game, but Fano needs to improve as a rusher to become a three-down player.

Strengths

• Plays with bouncy feet and a full-throttle motor.
• Builds out his production with secondary effort.
• Balanced base features good power transfer from hips to hands.
• Good technique to punch and slip past edge blockers.
• Eyes stay dialed into runners and play development.
• Pursues laterally with good burst, leverage and angles.
• Athleticism, quickness and hustle will fit twist-heavy units.

Weaknesses

• Misdirection takes advantage of his urgency.
• Will need to lock into scheme assignment as a pro.
• Short-stepping rush lacks vertical push to threaten the edge.
• Fails to generate enough bull-rush momentum to roll tackles downhill.
• Suffered ACL tears in 2022 and 2023.

Round 7, Pick #238: Marvin Jones Jr, EDGE, Oklahoma

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Jones is a former five-star recruit who played at three schools (Georgia, Florida State, Oklahoma) over the last three seasons. He has good size and comes from NFL bloodlines. His play strength and aggression at the point of attack are average, but his hands stay active and he gets off blocks when needed. So far, Jones has not been able to convert his traits into high-level production. His rush plan and toolbox do not stand out on tape.

Strengths

• Comes from NFL bloodlines with a father who played in the NFL for 10 seasons.
• Sets up workable spin counter at the top of the rush.
• Adequate closing speed when chasing quarterbacks.
• Lands hands first and sets an adequate edge.
• Plays off blocks when he’s ready to pursue or tackle.

Weaknesses

• Below-average pad level and leverage at the point.
• Needs to play with better strength and aggression versus the run.
• One-speed rush rarely creates uncertainty for tackles.
• Tightness prevents desired bend-and-flatten at the edge.
• Lack of short-area agility and entry accuracy leads to missed tackles.