Dolphins' Jonah Savaiinaea Praised by Coaches Early
Dolphins' Jonah Savaiinaea Praised by Coaches Early originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Miami Dolphins are ramping up their 2025 season with organized team activities (OTAs) wrapping up and mandatory minicamp beginning this week.
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One rookie is stealing the spotlight and offensive line coach Butch Barry has taken notice.
Miami traded up in the second round of this year's draft to pick offensive guard Jonah Savaiinaea. He was one of several additions to help bolster the team's play along the line of scrimmage.
According to Enzo Flojo at Yahoo Sports, early returns from OTAs suggest that move might be paying dividends.
Barry emphasized Savaiinaea's rare combination of size and athleticism.
'You see he's a big‑body guy that's really explosive, that can run... heavy‑handed... can anchor the pocket, but explosiveness in the run game.' Barry said.
Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (OL36) runs in the 40-yard dash during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Flojo also says the versatility mentioned above is a big reason Savaiinaea has stood out during reps at both left and right guard.
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The young lineman has been taking the challenge head-on.
'Our standard of work has to be there and the guys are doing it and they're responding and exceeding. Because at the end of the day, it's all about them being the best version of themselves.'
With Daniels still rehabbing, Savaiinaea's versatility and toughness fill a key hole up front. Potentially as a starter, or as a high-quality backup.
His performance during OTAs signals a shift toward Miami's youth movement, and with a franchise focused on youth and building depth, Savaiinaea is exactly the kind of player that could have a key role in their offensive line going forward.
Related: Dolphins Second-Rounder Remains Unsigned Amid Rookie Contract Trend
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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