PFSN 3-Round Mock Draft has the Dolphins Taking

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: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

“After moving Jaylen Waddle to Denver, Miami finds itself with an extra first-round pick and plenty of flexibility to reshape the roster. While multiple positions could be addressed, the tight end room stands out as a clear priority, lacking the kind of dynamic presence that can elevate the passing game.

Bring in Oregon standout Kenyon Sadiq, widely regarded as the top tight end in this year’s class. A true weapon after the catch, with high-end speed and fluid movement skills for the position, Sadiq creates mismatches against linebackers and safeties alike, making him a dangerous option in space.

For a Dolphins offense looking to retool after a major shakeup, Sadiq offers immediate playmaking ability and long-term upside as a centerpiece in the passing attack.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

A versatile tight end with a shredded physique and alluring potential as a volume target, Sadiq’s route tree will be full of branches. His athleticism and break quickness should allow him to uncover against man coverage on all three levels. He’s talented after the catch, with the ability to make things easier for play-callers and quarterbacks looking to move the sticks. He has the body control and hand strength to win contested catches but will occasionally allow balls to hit the ground on lower-difficulty plays. He’s adequate as a blocker, giving good effort in-line and locating and landing on linebackers as a move blocker. Teams looking to diversify their passing game options with a talented pass-catching tight end could make Sadiq a priority.

Strengths

• Built like a bodyguard with a compact, well-defined frame.
• Capable of running a robust route tree.
• Gets in and out of breaks with good snap and separation.
• Vandalizes defensive seams with impunity against man coverage.
• Survives collisions with catches thanks to his hand strength.
• Shows off agility and acceleration after the catch.
• Fits up run blocks with proper positioning and base width.
• Grips and presses forward with moving feet to stay connected.

Weaknesses

• Shows some drift in his feet on zone-beater routes.
• Inconsistent catch focus on throws above his numbers.
• Average acceleration and pop into contact as a lead blocker.
• Defensive ends will play across his face when he’s based up.
• Needs to avoid leaning as a point-of-attack blocker.

Round 2, Pick #43: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

“Miami’s secondary still has clear holes on paper, and adding a player like Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds could go a long way in addressing them. A physical, instinctive defender, Ponds brings both toughness and playmaking ability to the nickel spot. With his skill set, he has a legitimate chance to step in and compete for a starting role right away, giving the Dolphins an immediate boost in the secondary.”

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Ponds is a productive perimeter cornerback trapped in a smaller body, but he’s not lacking in confidence or coverage tenacity. He’s tremendously competitive and winning seems to follow him at each stop. He matches press releases with good slide quickness and has the speed to stay in-phase as routes travel vertically. Eye discipline, instincts and trigger quickness fuel his zone work and catch disruption. Size limitations will likely push him to nickelback, where mismatches against bigger bodies and physical challenges from run games will test his playmaking/durability. Ponds is a likely Day 2 pick who will be an above-average starting nickelback in the NFL.

Strengths

• Plays zone with excellent eye discipline, route leverage and spacing.
• Speed to stay in-phase vertically and rarely loses position once he gains it.
• Outstanding ball-tracker with the ability to irritate downfield catch points.
• Diagnoses run, slips blocks and quickly gets to ball-carriers.
• Consistently finishes tackles against the run and pass.
• Used impressive acceleration to block two punts while at Indiana.
• Opened playoff blowout of Oregon with a pick-six on the first play from scrimmage.

Weaknesses

• Struggles to flip hips cleanly when route leverage is beaten.
• Loses ground to physical receivers at the top of the route.
• Average plant-and-drive quickness from top of his drop.
• Lack of length will cost him pass breakups at times.
• Can be engulfed by big-bodied blockers near the line.
• Drag-down tackler in space against bigger wideouts.

Round 3, Pick #75: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Long, upright edge defender with an NBA-caliber wingspan and room to continue filling out his frame. Josephs uses his arms to stay separated from blocks and spill runs wide. However, he needs to get bigger and stronger to better support the run against NFL blocking. He has long strides and plus closing burst to chase and capture. His pass rush is the same on every snap, showing good burst and effort but a predictable track that is slowed by force. He’s not a natural bender, so adding go-to moves, a functional inside counter and better rush plans will be essential. With added weight and continued schooling, Josephs could deliver much more consistent production than he’s provided so far.

Strengths

• Carries an NBA small forward wingspan.
• Effective use of length to stay separated from blockers at the point.
• Widens the edge effectively and spills runs to the perimeter.
• Spins a wide tackle web to ensnare runners anywhere near his gap.
• Races out of stance and upfield into his rush.
• Inside jab step baits tackles into pausing their slide and opening the edge.
• Long arms and strides create inside-move pressure opportunities.
• Rushes with effort and targets the throwing arm to generate strip sacks.

Weaknesses

• Tight hips force him into a more limited, linear rush attack.
• Unable to sink and trim the edge tightly at the top of the rush.
• Can’t generate enough leverage or power for speed-to-power conversion.
• Drops his eyes when attacking blocks and loses track of play design.
• Needs better upper-body strength to press and control the edge.
• Hands and feet lack harmonious coordination.

Round 3, Pick #87: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Athletic left tackle prospect with two seasons as a full-time starter at Penn State. His basketball background shows up with natural fluidity as a move blocker and in meeting edge rushers with his pass slides. However, Shelton’s lack of play strength makes it tougher for him to sustain blocks at the point of attack and hold a firm anchor when taking on bully pass rushers. His athleticism and ability to get to any angle necessary in the run game makes him a fit for teams favoring outside zone. However, he’s likely to struggle with consistency unless he gets stronger and plays with better body control.

Strengths

• Highly athletic with fluid hips and basketball player-like foot quickness.
• Rarely beaten to the angle on back-side cutoff blocks.
• Can shine as a lead blocker on wide runs or in space on screen passes.
• Hasty but accurate on work-up blocks from first- to second-level targets.
• Smooth lateral pass slides with punch-ready hands.
• Delivers pass punch with suddenness, timing and accuracy.
• Impressive recovery talent to reconnect with a loose pass rusher.

Weaknesses

• Below-average play strength shows up in both phases.
• Struggles to stay engaged with edge defenders at the point.
• Oversteps lateral landmarks, allowing opponents to beat him inside.
• Gives ground quickly against speed-to-power rush.
• Slow to recognize incoming T/E twists.
• Rushers can collapse his outside edge.

Round 3, Pick #90: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Boundary cornerback with good length and catch-disruption but inconsistent instincts in coverage. Lee is better in man coverage than he is in zone, but he can handle both. Pure speed can break away from him, so he’ll need help on the roof as a pro. He has the length and timing to make plays on the football. However, he needs to play with more anticipation to match breaks and trigger more quickly from depth. As a run defender, he must beat blocks faster and replace the ankle-diving with more committed wrap finishes. Lee has traits and scheme versatility, toggling between quality backup and eventual starter as a prospect.

Strengths

• Tall boundary cornerback with a wide wingspan.
• Posted 24 pass breakups and four interceptions over three FBS seasons.
• Played an even mix between zone and man at Texas A&M.
• Good cut-off and physicality to lean on release from press.
• Explosive hip flip to turn and sprint from his opening.
• Drives from depth into the passing lane with compact strides.
• Fights for inside leverage near the goal line when on an island.

Weaknesses

• Loses the race too quickly when taking on pure vertical speed.
• Mental mistakes and early missteps turned into explosive plays.
• Below-average route recognition and anticipation from zone.
• Tall in his pedal, creating disjointed transitions.
• Needs better fight getting off blocks and sticking his nose in against the run.
• Way too much ankle-diving as an open-field tackler.

Round 3, Pick #94: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Undersized linebacker/box safety who had more production and made fewer mental mistakes in 2024. Louis has the speed, athleticism and recognition to quickly find the football. Whether in lurker mode from zone or clinging to the route in man, he’s very decisive in coverage and has the ball skills to flip the field. He struggles to take on blocks and leverage his gap in the run game. He often catches contact and becomes a drag-down tackler near the line and in space. Teams need to have a plan for how to use him, but versatile sub-package defenders with speed and cover talent are valuable in the league.

Strengths

• Posted 24 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 10 sacks in the past two seasons.
• Very decisive in coverage and against the run.
• Instincts and speed will carry him to a lot of plays.
• Reads blocking keys and races downhill into position.
• Uses a dip and shoulder turn to consistently slip blocks.
• Sudden with his change of direction in pursuit.
• Runs with receivers like a cornerback in man coverage.
• Can burst and grab anything that is in his area.

Weaknesses

• Low win rate when taking on blocks near the line.
• Unable to leverage and save his gap against lead blocks.
• Can be drawn out of position by glances and misdirection.
• Inconsistent angles to the throw leaves him under catch point.
• Made a few too many mistakes reacting to RPOs in 2025.