The Miami Dolphins rookies reported for training camp on July 15th, but second-round rookie Jonah Savaiinaea was not in attendance.
Jonah Savaiinaea is one of 30 second-round draft picks who has not yet signed a contract. The situation is starting to become a major issue, as rookies continue to hold out for fully guaranteed contracts. Here’s a look at the situation for the Miami Dolphins, and how it might get resolved.
Jonah Savaiinaea not to blame for unusual contract situation
The NFL is currently dealing with a contract situation they’ve never seen before, and it’s all because of the Houston Texans.
Shortly after the draft, the Texans signed wide receiver Jayden Higgins to a fully guaranteed contract, after selecting him with the 34th pick in the draft’s second round. The Cleveland Browns then quickly followed by signing the 33rd overall pick, Carson Schwesinger, to his own fully guaranteed deal.
Contracts that are guaranteed in full are signed by first-round draft picks, but that agreement has now started to leak into the second round. With the first two picks in the second round securing their contracts in full, the 30 picks behind them are now waiting it out, expecting the same deal.
LA Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris is officially a holdout having missed reporting to camp with the rest of the rookies, and a couple of days later Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea joined the list.
Many others are expected to do the same, in a unique standoff situation that has both players and their agents, as well as the NFL franchises, refusing to back down.
For Miami, this situation is a nightmare. They have been in an uphill battle with their offensive line for years now, and don’t have a lot of depth going into the season.
They traded up for Savaiinaea, which some believe was an action intended to jump the New England Patriots to select the talented guard out of Arizona. Miami wanted him, and he’s expected to start this coming season.
The rookie started all three seasons for the Wildcats, starting at right guard in his first year. He then switched to right tackle in year two, before playing a combination of both tackle spots in his third and final year.
His versatility was a major benefit for the Dolphins, who have moved their line around countless times in recent years, trying to find the right combination of five guys to protect Tua Tagovailoa while unlocking the run game.
The Dolphins are already facing challenges this season, having lost veteran tackle Terron Armstead to retirement. He had fought through injuries in the last couple of seasons and opted to retire early this year. Armstead was the leader of the group, with by far the most experience.
Miami Dolphins offensive line depth in 2025
The Dolphins will now switch to second year tackle Patrick Paul at left tackle, hoping he’s ready to take over the role from the veteran. Paul started three games in his rookie season, two at left tackle and one at right tackle.
Austin Jackson is expected to continue at right tackle, having improved from his disastrous early years in Miami.
The franchise then has two veterans on the interior, with center Aaron Brewer, who they acquired in free agency last season, and now James Daniels, the former Pittsburgh Steelers guard who signed in free agency just a couple of months ago.
Jonah Savaiinaea is expected to fill the final spot in the starting five at one of the two guard spots. For a rookie, reps are crucial, but when you’re working as part of an offensive line that needs to think and move as a single cohesive unit, those reps become even more important.
The Dolphins will want this situation resolved as soon as possible so that they can get their guy in the building. That said, it’s not an isolated situation, and neither the team nor the player will want to give in.
If the Miami Dolphins cave in and hand the guard a fully guaranteed deal, all of their future second-round draft picks will expect the same treatment.
