Zeek Biggers may have entered the 2025 draft as the least-heralded of Miami’s defensive tackle picks, but he’s the one making the strongest case to matter most.
The Dolphins used three selections on the position - Kenneth Grant in the first round, Jordan Phillips in the fifth and Biggers in the seventh - yet Biggers has worked his way into the conversation because of what he’s shown once the pads came on. An undisclosed injury to Zach Sieler opened the door for more reps, and Biggers has taken advantage of the chance to prove he belongs in the rotation.
On Tuesday, Biggers and Jeff Hafley both addressed the media, and the message around the rookie was clear: he’s become a valuable piece because he can do more than one job. Hafley pointed to Biggers’ ability to line up inside or outside and handle both the run and the pass.
"I think Zeek is playing really well," Hafley said. "He's really doing a good job at tackle; he's done a good job in the run and the pass, and then he's given us the flexibility to put him at defensive end, which makes him a really versatile piece. I think he's been one of the most consistent guys, so I'm proud of the way he's played."
That kind of praise is a long way from the pre-draft view of Biggers, who was tagged with concerns about his speed, consistency and pass-rush impact. The early returns in 2025, though limited to the final nine games, have painted a different picture. He became especially noticeable in Miami’s win over New Orleans, where he broke through a double team for a sack of Tyler Shough and later helped shut down a tush push attempt that ended the game.
Biggers said the fit has been natural.
"I definitely feel like it works well for me," Biggers said. "Being a guy that can move in space and also be stout in the run game playing inside. It matches my versatility very well, and I'm looking forward to it going along this season."
Hafley’s preference for defensive linemen who can move around has clearly helped Biggers settle in, and the rookie believes that setup brings out his best. But he’s not the only young tackle drawing attention.
Phillips has carved out his own lane as a force against the run. Biggers called him a “dawg” and described him as a player running backs want no part of. In Miami’s preseason opener against Washington, Phillips’ lone tackle came on a stop of Commanders running back Kaytron Allen for a 1-yard gain.
"Jordan Phillips, that's a dawg," Biggers said. "Stout run defender; he’s developing in the pass as well.
He's one of those guys, like freakishly strong, like you would see him hold up 600 pounds with one arm. He’s holding up people crazy, so he's always been a guy that's kind of - we call him Freaky J because he's freakishly strong."
Biggers also noted Phillips is still working to grow as a pass rusher, which remains his biggest weakness. Phillips finished 2025 with 34 tackles but no sacks, a reminder that strength alone won’t get him all the way there if he can’t finish plays in the pocket.
Grant, meanwhile, is under the heaviest spotlight because Miami spent a first-round pick on him. He showed flashes before an undisclosed injury knocked him out, but the early stretch didn’t yet look like the kind of season that locks in a long-term future with the team. According to the initial depth chart, Grant is competing with Phillips for a starting spot at defensive tackle, a sign that the new coaching staff still sees a path for him to rebound.
That leaves Miami with a front seven that could be shaped by how this trio develops. Grant has the pedigree, Phillips has the brute force, and Biggers has the versatility that keeps standing out. For now, the seventh-round pick has become the most intriguing name of the group.
"Top of the league; that's our expectation," Biggers said. "Being the number one run defense, sacks, whatever.
We're just going to go out there and do our job. We're going to let it all come to us.
We're going to attack people and play the run, play the pass. We're just going to get after people."
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