It’s Friday, so you know what that means! I’m back with another mock draft — the third mock from yours truly, and the last before the start of the NFL’s free agency period begins.
Last week, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson was my first overall selection due to the opening left in the secondary following the recent release of Kendall Fuller — and despite that glaring hole, I still saw the comments asking when the offensive line investment was going to take place!
Well, despite my feeling that the Dolphins will buy two starting guards in free agency (which starts next week), I decided to do a mock where I assume that didn’t take place and the Dolphins still needed a major guard-sized hole filled come Draft Day. Let’s see how that played out...
As a reminder, once a week, every week until the 2025 NFL Draft, I’ll be doing a full 7-round mock, and then giving you a chance to grade my results. Each draft will look slightly different, because, let’s be honest, the Dolphins have a ton of needs and can go in a million different directions come late April when the actual NFL Draft kicks off.
This exercise will allow us to examine different pathways to success for our beloved South Florida franchise, while hopefully having some fun in the process!
So, without further adieu, let’s unwrap my latest mock draft!
ROUND 1 - Pick #13
Armand Membou — OL — Missouri
What the experts are saying:
Young, talented prospect whose lack of NFL-tackle size will test teams’ willingness to make exceptions to their standards. Membou plays with composed quickness and elite body control. He delivers good pop on contact and has the range to spring runs with blocks in space. Footwork and core strength fuel stick-block sustain, but he can be outreached by edge-setters. His pass sets are technically sound, and he processes twists and blitzes quickly. Membou plays with a varied pass-set strategy and crafty hands to stymie rush momentum, but teams will have to live with long-armed rushers collapsing the pocket on him at times. Hands and feet work in unison to mirror speed and edge-to-edge rush challenges. He’s still growing into his frame but his game boasts unusual maturity. Membou’s potential impact at a premium position should keep him at tackle, but he has outstanding potential regardless. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 2 - Pick #48
Elic Ayomanor — WR — Stanford
What the experts are saying:
Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor is a tone-setter. He’s one of the most intense studies of the draft class with just how physical and urgent his play is at the wide receiver position. It’s impressive watching him dictate terms to defenders in all phases, be it at the top of a route stem, at the catch point, or as a run blocker.
Teams that ask their receivers to create space in the secondary will love the way he attacks corners; this is a bully who will force you to strap up and play uncomfortable football even on inside zone reps. As a receiving threat, he wins predominantly with hitches, fades, and gos with double moves on the perimeter but showcases the movement skills and flashes of a much more profound route runner.
The snap off of vertical stems and the awareness to find and sit in vacancies is a testament to his instinct as a receiver, and he’s often quick to feel urgent target opportunities and make himself available to his quarterback. Ayomanor is a multi-faceted player who would be an asset to any wide receiver room. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 3 - Pick #98
Omarr Norman-Lott — DT — Tennessee
What the experts are saying:
Tennessee Volunteers defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott projects as an interior pass rusher at the NFL level. There’s developmental upside present to tap into as a potential long-term starter, but Norman-Lott’s first step quickness, immediate power, and heavy hands all combine for a challenging profile to stay in front of in protection.
He’s a player with significant growth potential despite his status as a 23-year old rookie. He logged less than 1,000 defensive snaps across five seasons of college play between Arizona State and Tennessee. His anchor and point of attack skills aren’t where you’d prefer them as a run defender, but he has the physical tools at his disposal to make positive strides if he lands in an environment that can nurture his potential. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 4 - Pick #115
Cobee Bryant — CB — Kansas
What the experts are saying:
Thin but highly competitive cornerback with plenty of ball production and penalties to sift through. First and foremost, Bryant wants the football and does what he can to find it. He’s adequate in man coverage but struggles against big receivers in space. His instincts and ball skills shine in zone, where he reads route development and quarterback intentions. His low weight and skinny build will put him below the threshold for some teams, while his length, toughness and strong performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl will put him in play for others. Bryant has the potential to see nickel snaps as a pro if he can trust his technique and limit the penalties. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 4 - Pick #135
Demetrius Knight — LB — South Carolina
What the experts are saying:
South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. is a powerful middle linebacker who provides an intimidating presence in the middle. This is a booming tackler who offers length and strength to plug gaps and attack downhill.
He’s an aggressive player who is unbothered by contact and does well in negotiating blocks, climbing to the second level, or, alternatively, taking blockers head-on in run triggers and as a pass rusher. Knight Jr. has significant open-field speed and burst with long strides to eat up turf, but his frame limits some of his transitions with his hips.
His feet can be heavy at times, getting out of read steps to hit ambitious zone drops or mirror in man-to-man coverage assignments or open to the sideline and scrape over the top. He is patient in the blocks, trusting his leverage and ability to filter traffic — sometimes to a fault. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 5 - Pick #151
Jonas Sanker — SAF — Virginia
What the experts are saying:
Energetic safety with good production but areas to clean up in his game. The three-year starter possesses good size and strength with a willingness to play downhill that led to a high tackle count. Sanker is long and rangy but gets himself in trouble with inconsistent pursuit angles. He’s adept at matching up against big slot receivers in man and plays with quick, instinctive eyes and a good burst to close in zone. He gets caught staring into the backfield at times, so his team will need to work on his eye discipline and focus. Sanker’s traits and special teams value could lock him into an NFL roster early on and give him a chance to work his way up. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 5 - Pick #156
Jamaree Caldwell — DT — Oregon
What the experts are saying:
Oregon Ducks nose tackle Jamaree Caldwell projects as a space-eater in the heart of an NFL defense. Caldwell offers a dense, squatty frame and an excellent center of gravity. He absorbs solo blocks and double teams on the interior and will be a useful weapon for keeping his linebackers clean so they can flow to the football.
Caldwell has flashes of surprising athleticism and quickness, offering some upside for impact on early downs out of base personnel. He plays with an effective lateral mobility that allows him to flow with the front, help stay in his fit, and prevent interior blockers from climbing up to the second level. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 7 - Pick #226
Luke Lachey — TE — Iowa
What the experts are saying:
Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey projects as a depth player at the NFL level. Lachey saw no favors by playing in the Hawkeyes’ run-centric offense throughout the course of his career, and he likely would be a more accomplished pass catcher in any other offense.
However, his traits have been successfully implemented as a zone buster and slide flat target on Iowa’s boot action play-action passing game. He’s illustrated some modest alignment flexibility as an in-line blocker, an H-back offset alignment, or flexed into a tight alignment in the slot. He’s got enough athleticism to win with angles, but his consistency of sustained blocks is going to be a blockade he’ll need to navigate in the pros if he’s to warrant consistent playing time. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)
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ROUND 7 - Pick #233
Trevor Etienne — RB — Georgia
What the experts are saying:
Low-mileage back with modest production and average explosiveness but legitimate three-down versatility. He lacks the speed and power of his brother, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne, but Trevor wins with vision, elusiveness and efficiency. He is capable inside and does a nice job of staying tight to the track but could struggle to get tough yards. He runs with average burst wide but sets up tacklers and gets in and out of cuts without losing speed. Etienne catches with sticky hands, evades tacklers in space and has a very good understanding of protections. He has middle-round value but could become a third-down option early in his career. (Lance Zierlein, NFL.com)
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ROUND 7 - Pick #252
Max Brosmer — QB — Minnesota
What the experts are saying:
Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer is a traditional pocket passer who does well with leverage anticipation and coverage confirmation as a processor from the pocket. Brosmer is at his best when throwing in rhythm at the top of the drop.
He’s accurate and precise in the short and intermediate areas of the field and can be quick to move on from progression opportunities that are bested by defensive coverage throughout this drop. Brosmer is a former FCS product from New Hampshire. Unfortunately, it does show some limitations in his arm strength and mobility at times. But he clearly has an NFL-capable mind and should be considered a Day 3 backup type of investment. (Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team)