The Miami Dolphins 2025 NFL draft class got panned by the experts but their undrafted free agent (UDFA) class is making some noise. Thor Nystrom of Matthew Berry’s Fantasy Life just released his annual UDFA class rankings and the Dolphins are #1 in the AFC. In fact they are #5 in the NFL behind only the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.
Rookie minicamp is this weekend (Friday to Sunday) and these players will get their first chance to show off their skills and impress the decision makers. With so much hype around this group, let’s get into some of the key storylines surrounding the Dolphins UDFA class.
Wide Receiver Depth: A Battle for Roster Spots
One of the most interesting things about Miami’s UDFA class is the number of wide receivers. The team signed five undrafted pass-catchers: Andrew Armstrong (Arkansas), Sam Brown Jr. (Miami), Theo Wease Jr. (Missouri), Monaray Baldwin (Baylor), and A.J. Henning (Northwestern).
Assuming Tyreek Hill is on the team for Week 1, the top three receiver spots seem set. Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will be the top three, but the depth chart beyond that is wide open.
Malik Washington and Tahj Washington, both Day 3 picks from last year, haven’t cemented their roles and Erik Ezukanma, a 4th round pick in 2022, has yet to make an impact. So the UDFAs have a chance to step up.
Nystrom highlighted Theo Wease Jr. and Andrew Armstrong as having “the starter kit of an NFL possession receiver.” Both have natural size and can make contested catches, traits that are different from most of Miami’s current receiving corps, except for Westbrook-Ikhine.
With the lack of depth at the position, it wouldn’t be surprising if one or more of these UDFAs make the final roster. Armstrong and Wease’s unique skill sets could give them an edge in the competition.
Continuing the Cornerback Pipeline
The Dolphins have a history of developing undrafted cornerbacks. Guys like Kader Kohou and Nik Needham became reliable contributors over multiple seasons, and last year Storm Duck made the final roster and played 472 total snaps and started 3 games.
This year, B.J. Adams stands out as the next in line. A 4 year contributor at Central Florida, Adams visited Miami during the pre-draft process and impressed the team with his man-coverage skills, size, and length. He lacks elite speed and struggles with technique near the line of scrimmage but his upside is huge.
With Jalen Ramsey’s future uncertain and Miami not drafting a cornerback until the 5th round, Adams could find himself in the mix for playing time sooner than expected. Many analysts thought Adams should’ve been drafted so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him climb the depth chart and contribute in 2025.
An Instant Impact Tight End?
Another from Miami’s UDFA class is tight end Jalin Conyers, who Nystrom thinks could see playing time as a rookie.
“I think Conyers will see some snaps as a rookie,” Nystrom wrote. “The Dolphins were thin at tight end behind Jonnu Smith and Conyers has long arms and a deceivingly large catch radius has interesting developmental traits.”
Conyers was our top UDFA earlier this offseason, so it’s no surprise to see analysts high on him. Behind Jonnu Smith, the Dolphins have no depth at the position. Julian Hill and Pharaoh Brown are in-line tight ends, leaving Tanner Conner as Conyers’ main competition for the backup role.
Conner, another UDFA, has been on the roster since 2022, but Conyers’ skill set might give him the edge in this battle. It’s ironic that Conner may now have to fend off another UDFA to keep his job.
Special Teams Additions: Unsung Heroes
For most UDFAs, proving themselves on special teams is key to making the final roster. This year, linebacker Eugene Asante from Auburn looks like a player who could carve out a niche in this area.
Asante brings high effort and physicality to the table, having logged over 700 special teams snaps in college. He’s buried on the depth chart behind players like Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, K.J. Britt, and Willie Gay Jr., but he could still make an impact on special teams.
Channing Tindall has the special teams role, but Asante’s experience and hustle could allow him to challenge for a roster spot.
Another addition is former Alabama long snapper Kneeland Hibbett. With Blake Ferguson released on Thursday Hibbett is now the only long snapper on the team. His reliability and accuracy could keep him on the roster heading into the regular season.
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