Mock Draft Focuses on Future WR for the Miami Dolphins

As the Miami Dolphins plot their long-term path to a Super Bowl title, one position has emerged as a key focus in recent mock drafts: wide receiver. While the Dolphins’ current receiving corps—led by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle—ranks among the NFL’s most explosive, questions about the future of this group have prompted analysts to highlight wide receiver as a top target for Miami in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hill, 30, is under contract through 2025 but has hinted at potential retirement discussions in the coming years, and Waddle, though only 25, is set to enter contract extension talks that could reshape the team’s salary cap. To avoid a future void in their passing attack, mock drafts are projecting the Dolphins to select a dynamic young wide receiver who can grow into a core playmaker. Mock Draft Focuses on Future WR for the Miami Dolphins explores the team’s motivation for targeting this position, the top prospect linked to Miami, and how this pick could secure the Dolphins’ offensive dominance for years.

Mock Draft Focuses on Future WR for the Miami Dolphins begins with the Dolphins’ long-term receiving corps uncertainty and why a draft pick makes strategic sense. Hill, a seven-time Pro Bowler, has been the engine of Miami’s offense since 2022, leading the NFL in receiving yards twice (2022, 2024) and forming a lethal duo with Waddle. But as he enters his 10th NFL season in 2025, durability and declining speed are natural concerns—even for a player as elite as Hill. Waddle, meanwhile, has established himself as a deep-threat specialist (averaging 15.2 yards per catch in 2024) but is due for a massive extension that could cost the Dolphins over $25 million annually. Beyond these two, the Dolphins’ depth is thin: third receiver Braxton Berrios is a free agent after 2025, and younger options like Erik Ezukanma have yet to prove consistent. This lack of long-term depth has led mock drafts to prioritize a wide receiver for Miami—ideally a prospect who can learn behind Hill and Waddle before stepping into a larger role. “The Dolphins can’t afford to wait until Hill or Waddle is gone to address this position,” said NFL draft analyst Bucky Brooks. “Drafting a WR now lets them develop a young playmaker who’s ready to contribute when the time comes—without panicking in free agency later.”

A key prospect linked to the Dolphins in mock drafts is University of Southern California wide receiver Zachariah Branch, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound speedster who has drawn comparisons to Waddle. Branch, a two-time All-Pac-12 selection, has emerged as one of college football’s most electrifying playmakers: in 2024, he caught 89 passes for 1,325 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 300 yards and two scores on punt returns. His greatest strength is his ability to create separation—whether on deep routes (he runs a 4.35 40-yard dash) or quick slants that turn into big gains. Branch also excels in the slot, where he can exploit mismatches against linebackers and safeties—a skill that aligns with the Dolphins’ tendency to move Hill and Waddle around the formation. “Branch is exactly the type of receiver the Dolphins need for their future,” said draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. “He’s fast, versatile, and has a knack for making game-changing plays—just like the guys already in Miami’s locker room. He won’t need to start right away, but he can contribute on special teams and in sub-packages while learning from Hill and Waddle.”

A critical aspect of Mock Draft Focuses on Future WR for the Miami Dolphins is how Branch would fit into Miami’s offensive scheme—and what it means for the current Miami Dolphins team. Head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense is built on speed, spacing, and quick decision-making from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and Branch’s skill set is a perfect match. McDaniel often designs plays that get receivers in space—screen passes, jet sweeps, and deep posts—and Branch’s agility and acceleration make him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Even in a limited role as a rookie, Branch could boost Miami’s special teams (his punt return ability would replace the departing Berrios) and provide a spark when Hill or Waddle needs rest. For the Miami Dolphins, this pick isn’t just about the future—it’s about enhancing the present. “Adding a player like Branch gives us more weapons to keep defenses off-balance,” McDaniel said in a recent interview about roster building. “When you have three receivers who can beat you deep or make plays in the slot, it forces defenses to choose their poison. That’s how you sustain offensive success.”

Another important angle of Mock Draft Focuses on Future WR for the Miami Dolphins is the flexibility this pick provides for Miami’s salary cap and roster decisions. If the Dolphins select Branch in the second round (where most mock drafts project him to go, around pick 45), they’ll lock in a cost-controlled contract for four years—avoiding the need to overspend on a veteran wide receiver in free agency later. This financial flexibility will be crucial as the Dolphins navigate Waddle’s extension and potential contract adjustments for other core players like defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Additionally, Branch’s development could give the Dolphins options: if Hill decides to retire after 2025, Branch can step into the No. 2 role alongside Waddle; if Waddle’s extension becomes too costly, Branch could grow into a No. 1 target. “This pick is about controlling your own destiny,” said NFL cap expert Jason Fitzgerald. “The Dolphins don’t want to be in a position where they lose a star receiver and have to scramble to replace him. Drafting Branch lets them plan ahead, which is how smart teams build sustained success.” For the Miami Dolphins, this strategic foresight is what separates them from teams that struggle with roster turnover.

Wrapping up Mock Draft Focuses on Future WR for the Miami Dolphins is what this pick would mean for the Dolphins’ status as a perennial AFC contender. Miami’s offense has been among the league’s best for three straight seasons, but sustaining that success requires planning for the future. By drafting a young wide receiver like Branch, the Dolphins ensure their passing attack won’t collapse when Hill or Waddle moves on—keeping Tagovailoa surrounded by playmakers and McDaniel’s scheme firing on all cylinders. This pick also sends a message to the locker room and fans: the Dolphins are committed to winning not just next season, but for the long haul. “Great teams don’t just win in the moment—they build for years,” said former NFL receiver Cris Carter. “The Dolphins have a chance to do that with this pick. Branch can learn from two of the best receivers in the game, then become a star in his own right. That’s how dynasties are built.” For the Miami Dolphins, the 2025 draft is an opportunity to secure their offensive future, and mock drafts focusing on a wide receiver like Zachariah Branch highlight exactly how they can do it. Mock Draft Focuses on Future WR for the Miami Dolphins isn’t just about a single pick—it’s about a team building a legacy of offensive excellence.