Five to watch as Miami Dolphins rookies report for 2025 training camp
The Miami Dolphins’ 2025 season officially opens July 15. At least that’s when the team’s rookies report to training camp and we start talking about running and catching and tackling rather than draft bios and trade speculation and OTAs.
The rest of the players report on July 22 at Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens. The first practice open to the fans will be on Saturday, July 26.
Then, it’s another six weeks before the regular season begins on Sept. 7 with a game at the Indianapolis Colts amid hope that Miami will improve on last season’s 8-9 record.
There is one snag and one potential missing rookie – second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea remains unsigned. In fact, 30 of the 32 second-round picks have not signed. None of those unsigned players will be allowed to report or practice until they put ink to paper.
Second-round guaranteed contracts leave Jonah Savaiinaea unsigned
The issue is that the only two second-round picks who have signed – Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins and Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger – both received fully guaranteed contracts. While the money and lengths of all second-round contracts are set according to the CBA, it’s those unusual guarantees that are holding things up.
Savaiinaea will receive a four-year, $11.3 million contract with a $4.9 million signing bonus when he signs. And, trust those of us who used to see numerous training camp holdouts back in the pre-free agency, no-salary cap era, he will sign a contract.
Putting that aside, here is a quick look at five rookies to watch when two-a-days – or whatever they call it these days – begin next week.
Five Miami Dolphins rookies to watch
G Jonah Savaiinaea still should crack offensive line as a rookie
Once Savaiinaea signs and reports, he will be wearing retired left tackle Terron Armstead’s No. 72 this season. The rookie guard out of Arizona realizes what that means as well as the opportunity to start in 2025 on a line that desperately needs help.
The Dolphins traded up to grab him in the second round, seeing in him the qualities of footwork and mobility that fit their offensive line scheme. Now, it’s time to show it on the field.
And, unlike the old days, he already has participated in an off-season minicamp and numerous OTAs, which do not require a player to be under contract. And, let’s be honest – the real training camp opens next week when everyone is on the field so there is time to get that contract signed.
DT Kenneth Grant needs to start and play well
The former Michigan standout was selected in the first round and will be counted on to provide assistance to team MVP Zach Sieler on the interior of the defensive line. At 340 pounds, he will be one of the biggest players on the roster, much-needed bulk to help plug those all-too-many holes along the front that hurt Miami last season.
Grant also brings a winning culture from the Wolverines, who won the national championship in 2023, to a team seeking its first playoff victory in a quarter century.
CB Jason Marshall may surprise in revamped secondary.
Jalen Ramsey is gone. Kendall Fuller is gone. Jevon Holland is gone. Minkah Fitzpatrick is here but he’s a safety.
The Dolphins need cornerbacks. Jason Marshall is a cornerback, a fifth-round pick out of Florida. He has size – 6-foot, 194-pounds – and speed – 4.49 40. He’s also a Miami native who played at Palmetto High School.
At the very least, he will push some holdovers who need to step up, such as Cam Smith and Storm Duck. Perhaps he pushes them to the bench.
DT Jordan Phillips could be nice addition to defensive line
The fifth-rounder out of Maryland is another Florida native (Orlando area) and a big body who could play nose tackle and help stuff the middle against the run.
He reportedly has squatted 665 pounds, power cleaned 365 and done two reps of 365 on the overhead press.
RB Ollie Gordon II will have opportunity in the backfield
Two seasons ago, Gordon won the Doak Walker Award as the best running back in the nation when he rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns for Oklahoma State.
Last season, he fell to 880 yards rushing as the Cowboys went winless in the Big 12 and then he ran a 4.6 in the 40 at the NFL Combine, both figures dropping his stock.
With Raheem Mostert now playing elsewhere, the opportunity is there.
