The Miami Dolphins plan to rebuild their offensive line this offseason, according to general manager Chris Grier, but that’s not the only spot on the roster that needs work. In Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft of the year, ESPN’s draft guru predicted the Dolphins will address a hole in their secondary instead.
After projecting two offensive linemen come off the board at Nos. 10 and 11 overall, Kiper has the Dolphins taking Georgia safety Malaki Starks with the No. 13 selection. Via ESPN:
No college defense has ever had three players go this early in the same year, per ESPN Research, but Starks could join the early run on Bulldogs. He closes well and makes plays on the ball. With 67 tackles this season, he works well in space. And he’s versatile, lining up as a traditional safety and over the slot. Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer — the Dolphins’ starting safeties — are both free agents this offseason, so Miami could certainly address the back end here. An offensive or defensive line upgrade could also be the move, though.
Holland is one of tougher decisions of the offseason for Miami. While the former second-round pick wasted no time emerging as a leader in the Dolphins secondary, Holland had an unproductive season in 2024, finishing without an interception and a career-worst 63.0 grade from Pro Football Focus.
But that down year doesn’t change that Holland is set to become one of the top free agents on the market in March. If the Dolphins hope to retain the 24-year-old safety, it won’t be cheap.
Even if the Dolphins do manage to sign him to an extension, the other safety spot has been an even bigger issue with a revolving door of players next to Holland. Miami signed Jordan Poyer to a one-year deal as a stopgap solution, but the former Buffalo Bills defensive back struggled to make much of an impact.
Offensive line is a top priority for the Dolphins, but it’s hard to argue with Kiper’s solution for the massive hole in Miami’s secondary.
