Miami Dolphins credited with one of the biggest steals of 2025 NFL draft

The Miami Dolphins entered the 2025 NFL Draft with several identifiable needs. Notably, the team needed to get tougher in the trenches.

As a result, the Dolphins spent their first three picks doing just that, selecting defensive lineman Kenneth Grant in the first, offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea in the second, and defensive lineman Jordan Phillips in the fifth. 

While those three players should all impact the team as rookies, the team's first seventh-round pick is one that has gotten some attention. 

Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News listed the Dolphins' selection of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers with the No. 231 pick as one of the biggest late-round steals of the draft. 

Regarding the Ewers selection, Iyer offered the following: 

Ewers was the other more forgotten faller at quarterback as the 13th QB off the board, well after Sanders. He made the most sense for a 49ers-adjacent system given his arm and quick release as a pocket passer with limited mobile qualities. He was a good extra development backup to get for Mike McDaniel, as the oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa needed a more bona fide contingency option.

Shedeur Sanders got all of the attention after falling to the fifth round, but Ewers had a dramatic fall, as well. 

Ewers threw for 3,472 yards with 31 touchdowns to 12 interceptions during his first season in the SEC in 2024. The quarterback led the conference in touchdown passes and had some of his best moments in big games. 

Most mock drafts had the Texas passer going in the middle rounds, but the Dolphins were able to wait until the seventh round to select him.

Ewers doesn't have the best athleticism and was wildly inconsistent in college, which likely led to his slide. Still, seeing quarterbacks like Graham Mertz, Tommy Mellott, and Cam Miller go ahead of Ewers was a bit perplexing. 

However, as Iyer mentioned, the Dolphins could be the best possible landing spot for Ewers. Head coach Mike McDaniel comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree, and Shanahan has had pretty good luck with his own seventh-round passer, Brock Purdy. 

Also, the Dolphins need a capable backup considering Tua Tagovailoa's lengthy injury history. The only other quarterback on the roster is Zach Wilson, who has yet to impress much during his time in the NFL. 

Ewers has a quick release and strong-enough arm to hit throws down the field. While not ready to start as a rookie, Ewers could learn from McDaniel and Tagovailoa and eventually develop into a starting-caliber passer.