With all 32 franchises in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine, draft preparation is well underway. Prospects are meeting with teams between measurements and drills, potentially offering clues about their NFL readiness.
The Dolphins enter draft season with 10 selections, but with only three projected in the top 100, every choice is crucial for general manager Chris Grier and his staff. With the Combine wrapping up on Sunday, here are five prospects that have reportedly spoken with the Dolphins.
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
As a sophomore, Gordon earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors after rushing for 1,732 yards (6.1 YPC) and 21 touchdowns. However, his production dipped last season, averaging just 4.6 yards per carry for a struggling 3-9 Cowboys team.
Bleacher Report lists Gordon as a fourth-round prospect, which could be right in Miami’s wheelhouse with two fourth-round picks. The Dolphins invested Day 2 picks in De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, but more is needed at the position.
Considering Achane’s work as a receiver, Gordon could push Wright as Miami’s physical “thunder” compared to Achane’s lightning speed.
Xavier Restrepo. Miami
The Miami Herald’s C. Isaiah Smalls II reports that Restrepo met with Miami’s special teams coordinator and wide receiver coach, not Mike McDaniel. A high-volume target for the Hurricanes, he’s caught 154 passes for 2,219 yards and 17 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
At 5’10”, 209 pounds, Restrepo wouldn’t stand out in a room featuring Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. That said, Miami did find a way to incorporate 5’8” Malik Washington as a rookie after drafting him in the sixth round out of Virginia.
Wide receiver — especially a slot — isn’t near the top of Miami’s needs this offseason, but McDaniel’s track record with the position makes this an interesting option if the stars align on draft night.
Tyler Baron, Miami
Baron transferred to Miami after four seasons at Tennessee and quickly established himself with the Hurricanes. An All-ACC Honorable Mention, he recorded 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 13 games.
A disrupter on the edge, Baron had at least 6.5 tackles for a loss in each of his final three seasons at Tennessee. A four-star prospect out of high school, Baron delivered top-ten performances in the 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, broad jump, and vertical jump.
Despite using a first-round pick on Chop Robinson, Miami may still need additional edge depth, given the injury histories of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.
Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
The Dolphins are doing plenty of work on offensive linemen this offseason, and an Associated Press First-Team All-American tackle seems like a strong choice to invest time in. Zabel ended his college career with 36 consecutive starts and has experience at every position outside of center.
With Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson projected as the starting tackles and Terron Armstead’s status uncertain, Miami could benefit from a versatile guard who provides both short-term depth and long-term upside.
Zabel surrendered four sacks and six quarterback hits over three seasons with the Bison. He’s been going around pick No. 32 in the Mock Draft Database and could be a trade-up or trade-down candidate for Miami, depending on how the draft board falls.
Gunnar Helm, Texas
Jonnu Smith set franchise receiving records last season, but tight end remains on the table. Helm spent four seasons with the Longhorns but stole the spotlight last year with a team-high 60 receptions.
Helm doesn’t feature the top-end speed that has defined McDaniel’s offense since he arrived in Miami, but his 6’5” frame would become another thing opposing defenses must consider. He’s projected as a second-to-sixth-round pick, a wide range considering he had just 19 receptions for 236 yards across his first three seasons before breaking out in 2024.
Still, his 786 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, combined with steady blocking in his senior season, make him a strong developmental prospect.
