The Miami Dolphins finished their season with a 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots. Miami’s regular season finale encapsulated the Dolphins’ season. It featured a slow start as they faced an early 14-0 deficit, then it displayed a strong showing by the Dolphins as they reeled off 10 straight points, before a letdown of a finish as the team allowed 24 unanswered points.
During the season, the Dolphins decided it was time to make a significant change as they fired general manager Chris Grier. Following the season, the Dolphins made yet another important move as they fired head coach Mike McDaniel after four seasons with the team.
Miami’s season was a disappointment as they had double-digit losses, for the first time since 2019. However, every season features some positives and the Dolphins’ season was no different.
Dolphins Rookies Ahead of Several Teams in Draft Classes
Former general manager Chris Grier was the man in charge for the Miami Dolphins’ 2025 NFL Draft Class. Due to Miami’s 1-6 record to start the year, Grier was dismissed by the Dolphins after spending 26 years with the organization. Despite heavy criticism throughout his Dolphins tenure, perhaps he ended his era in Miami with a positive draft class. ESPN writer Aaron Schatz ranked the 32 NFL rookie classes in terms of production; the Dolphins ranked 13th out of 32 teams.
In regards to Miami’s class, Schatz wrote, “The Dolphins had a lot of rookie impact players who didn’t necessarily have outstanding numbers. For example, first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant played in all 17 games but had just 33 combined tackles with two sacks. Left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, a second-round pick, started the entire season but finished near the bottom of the league with an 87.2% pass block win rate and a 65.8% run block win rate. Fifth-round safety Dante Trader Jr. had 54 combined tackles but just one pass defensed. Fifth-round cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. played in 12 games and had 23 combined tackles, four passes defensed and an interception.”
Additionally, Schatz spoke about the contributors Miami found late in the draft, saying, “At the bottom of the board, sixth-round running back Ollie Gordon II had 70 carries for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Seventh-round defensive tackle Zeek Biggers played nine games with 20 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks. And seventh-round quarterback Quinn Ewers eventually took over when Tua Tagovailoa was benched, starting three games with a 31.3 QBR.”
Miami ranking 13th in the NFL is primarily a credit to their late-round selections as the team did not make a pick in the third or fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Grading Miami’s Rookies
Due to situations with their salary cap, the Dolphins did not spend big in free agency prior to the 2025 season. Top free agent addition James Daniels played only three snaps for the Dolphins. With the departure of Calais Campbell and the injury to Liam Eichenberg, the Dolphins were forced to start Kenneth Grant and Jonah Savaiinaea.
Despite being significant members of the team, you could argue whether their production was a positive for the Dolphins. Grant received a 48.4 overall grade by Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 107th out of 134 interior defensive linemen. Meanwhile, Savaiinaea received a 28.4 overall grade by PFF, which ranked him as the worst guard in the NFL.
With the Dolphins missing the postseason on back-to-back seasons, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will hope to get better production out of his first two picks with the Dolphins. However, replicating Miami’s 2025 Draft class late-round success will be a difficult task.
Dolphins Receive Rare Positive News After Disappointing Season