Miami Dolphins affected, for better or worse, by the NFL Draft

AI-assisted summary The Miami Dolphins are expected to start rookies Kenneth Grant and Jonah Savaiinaea.

Several veteran players, including Liam Eichenberg, Cam Smith, and Alexander Mattison, will have their roles impacted by the new draft picks.

Competition for roster spots will be fierce, especially at safety and long snapper.

MIAMI GARDENS The Miami Dolphins added two players in the NFL Draft who will be immediate starters.

Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant and guard Jonah Savaiinaea will enter the lineup as opening day starters, barring the unexpected.

Miami hopes that defensive tackle Jordan Phillips , cornerback Jason Marshall, Jr.

and a few others make an eventual impact.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier pointed out that it's not always possible to get everything done at once.

And thus, some other veterans are still likely to be added.

But here are the Dolphins most directly impacted by Miami's draft.

5 Miami Dolphins veterans impacted by NFL Draft and UDFA additions Guard Liam Eichenberg Liam Eichenberg is a lightning rod for fans because he's struggled at times as a starter.

But Miami brought him back as a right-priced, versatile young veteran who knows the system.

So, no, now that Miami has traded up for Savaiinaea, Eichenberg will not be a starter.

You can get off that ledge.

Cornerback Cam Smith The Dolphins have been down on their former second-round pick, Cam Smith.

Multiple members of the organization have criticized him publicly, in an attempt to motivate him to step up his game as a professional.

But here's the rub.

The Dolphins did not draft a cornerback in Rounds 1-4.

They'll likely sign another veteran.

But Smith has a window.

Running back Alexander Mattison The Dolphins added Mattison to be a powerful short-yardage back.

But then they drafted big and powerful rookie in sixth-rounder Ollie Gordon II .

It's possible Mattison holds of Gordon for a while.

But it's certainly possible Gordon jumps the veteran at some point.

For starters, De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright are Miami's top two backs.

Safety Patrick McMorris The Dolphins really liked McMorris after he was drafted out of California in 2024 as a sixth-round pick.

He was hurt but they specifically brought him back to play at the end of last season.

But then the Dolphins added safety Dante Trader Jr.

of Maryland in the fifth round this season.

Neither of those players are expected to start, nor is safety Elijah Campbell.

But it will be interesting to see who wins the third and fourth safety spots.

Snapper Blake Ferguson I know you probably don't spend much time thinking about long snappers.

Ferguson was a top performer before missed a lot of time due to a personal issue last year.

This year he'll have to fend off undrafted rookie Kneeland Hibbett of Alabama.

It's possible that 2/3 of the Dolphins' special teams unit will turn over.

Punter Ryan Stonehouse was signed this offseason, as well.

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post .

You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe .

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