Will Second-Year Players Step Up?

Will Second-Year Players Step Up?

The future roster of the Miami Dolphins in 2026 and beyond is critically dependent on youth and building through the draft.

This also includes the 2025 draft class chosen by former GM Chris Grier.

Coach Jeff Hafley needs these second-year players to step up and become an integral part of this rebuild.

Let’s review last year’s draft class.

Round 1, pick 13 – Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle, Michigan.

Grant was not the dominant player in 2025, as was expected when he was drafted in the first round, and he begins the 2026 season with very high expectations.

Grant needs to become the run stopper and interior pass rusher and prove that he is worthy of being the Dolphins’ first pick in the 2025 draft.

Round 2, pick 37 – Jonah Savaiinaea, Offensive Guard, Arizona.

Although Savaiinaea played on the right side of the offensive line in college, he was inexplicably placed on the left side during the 2025 season.

Savaiinaea struggled throughout the year and ranked among the bottom offensive linemen by his PFF stats.

In 2026, Coach Hafley plans to move Savaiinaea back to his natural position at right guard.

Only time will tell if he can succeed with this change.

Round 5, pick 143 – Jordan Phillips, Defensive Tackle, Maryland.

In 2025, Phillips played well beyond expectations and proved he was worthy of a starting job in the NFL.

He outplayed Grant and is expected to continue his upward trajectory in 2026.

Round 5, pick 150 – Jason Marshall, Jr., Cornerback, Florida.

Marshall exhibited some rookie growing pains as well as positive play in 2025 and is expected to compete for a starting cornerback position in 2026.

With the Dolphins’ secondary extremely thin, Marshall is the favorite to win the starting role heading into training camp.

Round 5, pick 155 – Dante Trader, Jr., Safety, Maryland.

In 2025, Trader demonstrated he could play at a high level at safety.

He continued his development at OTAs and is making coaches take notice.

Trader will compete for the starting role in training camp.

Round 6, pick 179 – Ollie Gordon II, Running Back, Oklahoma State.

Although playing sparingly in 2025, Gordon showed that he can be the physical downhill runner who can be a complementary backup to De’Von Achane.

Round 7, pick 231, Quinn Ewers, Quarterback, Texas.

With Malik Willis penciled in as the starter in 2026, Ewers will likely serve as the backup QB.

Round 7, pick 253, Zeek Biggers, Defensive Tackle, Georgia Tech.

Biggers is another defensive lineman from the 2025 class who impressed in 2025 when given playing opportunities and continued to impress during OTA’s.

He is expected to be a significant contributor in 2026.

So, as ironic as it may sound, Coach Hafley will be dependent on Grier’s final draft decisions as GM of the Dolphins.

Hopefully, Grier got it right this time.