Draftee - Jonah Savaiinaea

MIAMI DOLPHINS Several analysts weigh in on Dolphins’ second-round pick, Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea
By Barry Jackson Updated April 25, 2025 10:31 PM
Before we get to what analysts had to say about Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the Dolphins’ selection with the 37th pick in a trade up with the Las Vegas Raiders, some quick housekeeping: ▪ The Dolphins got the 37th pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for Miami’s picks at 48 and 98 and 135 (the first of what had been the Dolphins’ two fourth-round selections). ▪ He started 12 games at right guard in 2022; started three games at right guard and 10 at right tackle in 2023 and started five games at left tackle and six at right tackle last season.

As for the analysts’ reaction: ▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: “He allowed four sacks in 11 games this past year. Ran 4.95 at the Combine. As a run blocker, he is not going to consistently dominate and drive defenders off the ball. He can get outside, can pull. As a pass blocker, when pads are low and he’s playing with the right technique, I thought the results were pretty impressive. “I thought the footwork for his size was outstanding. He’s effective on combo blocks. Can be knocked back off balance at times. The versatility to play both tackle and guard adds to his value for Miami. Miami is fortifying that group up front with a guy who can be a guard or tackle. I think guard.”

▪ ESPN’s Louis Riddick: “You look at the Alamo Bowl last year where he played Alabama, he looked like an All Pro. This dude has got flex, he’s got movement. He’s a dancing bear at guard. He has All Pro, Pro Bowl potential at guard. He can get you by at tackle as well. Guard is where this kid will have a nice career.”

▪ ABC’s Nick Saban: “I think this guy’s a really good player, but I think a lot of people liked him as an interior player, playing inside at guard. He struggled in pass pro range wise a few times, but I really like this player. I think that’s a really good fit for Miami.”

▪ ESPN’s Field Yates: “He can play from a lot of different spots. His first year, he was most primarily a right guard. His second year, he was most primarily a right tackle. This past year, he led his total snap number at left tackle. The big Jonas Savaiinaea can play either guard spot, and I think potentially be a swing tackle in a pitch, gotta-have-it situation. “This guy’s got outstanding feet. The biggest thing that I think will determine how he succeeds at the NFL level is more strain and finish at the point of attack. Play with a bit more nasty and you’ve got a real chance.”

▪ NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: “Inside, outside versatility. Big, powerful man. Tested well. Can move really well. Physical in the run game but you don’t lose all that movement if you get to the perimeter like the Dolphins like to do.”

▪ NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein called him “durable three-year starter who is built like a right guard but has valuable protection experience as a collegiate tackle. Savaiinaea doesn’t have the athleticism to stick at right tackle in the NFL, but can play there in a pinch with some help. “He’s very wide and can engulf smaller opponents as a base blocker while sealing off double teams and down blocks. His feet often deaden on contact, creating opportunities for defenders to leak through his edges in both the run and pass games. Savaiinaea’s size works to his advantage and he could become a serviceable starting guard in time.” This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article302588599.html#storylink=cpy

 

MIAMI DOLPHINS Dolphins’ Grier, McDaniel address selection of Arizona guard Savaiinaea, cornerback, more By Barry Jackson Updated April 25, 2025 9:56 PM

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel on Friday night addressed the selection of Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea in a deal that sent the 37th pick (Jonah Savaiinaea) and a fifth-round pick to Miami and the Dolphins’ second, third and first of two fourth rounders to Las Vegas: The trade sends picks 48, 98 and 135 to Las Vegas and the 37th and 143rd picks to the Dolphins. Here’s what the GM and coach had to say:

▪ Grier said Savaiinaea is expected to be a starter and will play guard. “To have someone as big and athletic as he is to play four spots is key,” Grier said.

▪ Did Grier worry about not having a chance to pick a corner at 98? “Didn’t weigh [on me] at all. This was a player we are very convicted on, his size, his power, his versatility. Athletic kid. Can play tackle, guard. He was the right kind of kid for us. He was the highest-rated guy we had. Took a 30 visit here. The opportunity arose and we took it.” Besides the 30 visit, he also did a private workout with Dolphins offensive line coach Butch Barry.

▪ But what about giving up a second, third and fourth round picks for a second and fifth? “It’s always tough,” Grier said. “Draft picks are valuable. This was a player that will be a starter for us. He’ll play guard.”

▪ McDaniel implied he wanted to add quality guards: This was “something we identified a long time ago that needs to be our focus. Pass protection and run scheme are a great fit for him.”

▪ What about adding corners? “The draft is not over,” Grier said. “It’s something we will address and keep working through. There are good players in the middle rounds we felt comfortable with, especially corners and safeties, offensive line, d-line.“

▪ With cornerback the team’s only glaring need, I asked Grier and McDaniel if they will make any attempt, or have any desire, to try to reconcile with disgruntled cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who the team continues to try to trade. Grier handled the question: “I Never close any doors but I’m just going to focus on the draft and players we are adding to the team.”

▪ Asked what he thinks about the new-look offensive line (tackles Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson, center Aaron Brewer and guards James Daniels and Savaiinaea), Grier said: “We are excited about the group. Offensive line we know what the talk was around here. When we added Connor Williams, good players of value, offensive line is a focus. We we will always defend those guys. They’re the hardest working guys out there. Adding some youth in there with Robert Hunt leaving in free agency a year ago was important. “We’re excited about James Daniels just like we were Brew last year. We’re invested in it, getting younger. Patrick Paul coming in last year and learning from T Stead [retiring Terron Armstead]. He was influential with Patrick.” McDaniel’s view on the new-look offensive line: “It’s about getting better. We’ve been very focused finding the right people to take advantage of the opportunity we have. We feel convicted in players we’ve added this year and players we’ve added at that position. We have the right type of guys to go to work and they can define what the offensive line is.” This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 8:07 PM.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article302588629.html#storylink=cpy

 

Bob McGinn ranked him the #2 OG after only Booker

2. JONAH SAVAIINAEA, Arizona (6-4, 324, 4.99, 1-2): Three-year starter at right tackle. “He feels like a guard all day long,” said one scout. “He’s so big and square. His foot quickness and overall athleticism on the edge will be a concern for a lot of teams. You put him in there just as a 335-pound mauling guard, you might end up getting a really good player.” Third-year junior with 36 starts. “He’s a borderline first-rounder,” a second scout said. “He was a right tackle and he’ll play right tackle or guard. He also was their emergency left tackle and wasn’t bad doing it. There’s something to this guy. This guy’s really powerful and will start for somebody. The way he ran and worked out, he might slip into the first.” Besides a sub-5 40, he mustered a 29-inch vertical jump and an 8-10 broad jump. “At the Senior Bowl he played some guard and looked more natural there,” a third scout said. “When you got him too far out in space he didn’t play with his length. He’s a big, agile guy. He’s got anchor strength. He can bend. I like the athlete and the mover a little better than the complete football player.” Arms were 33 7/8, hands were 10 ¼. “I moved him inside but I just don’t think he’s very good,” said a fourth scout. “Slow feet, barely gets in the way. Not an athlete by any stretch. He struggles on the edges in pass pro because he doesn’t move his feet or adjust well enough. His only chance is as a big guard.” Three-star recruit from American Samoa. Played as a prep in Honolulu.