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9 hours ago
1
Jul 19, 2025 7:30 AM EDT
The NFL faced a dilemma heading into training camp: 30 of the 32 second-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft had yet to sign their rookie contracts, and there was a perception around the league that there could be unprecedented holdouts. However, in recent days, there has been substantial movement, and second-round picks across the league are signing their rookie deals.
One of those picks to sign his rookie contract is the Dolphins’ offensive lineman, Jonah Savaiinaea. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Savaiinaea put pen to paper on Friday afternoon and signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $11.3 million with a $4.9 million signing bonus. The deal is a massive relief for the Dolphins, who drafted Savaiinaea with the 37th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Savaiinaea spent three seasons with the Arizona Wildcats and entered the draft process as one of the better interior prospects in his class, despite spending the 2024 season switching between left and right tackle. Before that, Savaiinaea played at right guard for the Wildcats. Entering the NFL, likely, Savaiinaea moves back inside for the Dolphins, a team desperately in need of some power.
Aug 1, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (center) talks to assistant quarterback coach Chandler Henley (left) during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports — Source: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
The Dolphins traded the No. 48 pick, a third-rounder, and a fourth-rounder to the Las Vegas Raiders for the No. 37 pick and a fifth-rounder in a draft day trade that was criticised, but ultimately the Dolphins knew they had to move up to get their guy, and they did—even if the trade was overly aggressive.
Improving the offensive line was a need for the Dolphins. The sudden retirement of left tackle Terron Armstead created a void likely to be filled by 2024 second-round pick Patrick Paul. And even after signing James Daniels in free agency, the Dolphins still needed to draft Savaiinaea to strengthen the interior.
Getting Savaiinaea on the field at training camp as early as possible was key for the Dolphins, so the idea of a potential holdout would have disrupted any possibility of putting Savaiinaea, and the rest of the offensive line, in the best position to succeed heading into a make-or-break 2025 season.
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