If you’re looking for toughness and power to add to your rushing attack, Georgia’s Tate Ratledge is your guy. Ratledge is a perfect blend of strength, smarts, and tenacity that could be an immediate game-changer for the Miami Dolphins offense.
With great size and athleticism, Ratledge is a ready-made lineman who can knock defenders off the line of scrimmage and be a factor in space at the next level as well. He has a ferocious style of play and can finish his blocks consistently.
In 2023, Ratledge earned Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC honors. A year later, he was a Third Team All-American and again earned a spot on the First Team All-SEC squad. Ratledge has the size to be a tackle, if needed, but his strength is on the interior. In 2,081 snaps over his collegiate career, Ratledge was credited with allowing only two sacks and committed just five penalties.
Position: OG
Projected round: Rounds 2-3
Height: 6’6
Weight: 320
Fit for Miami
The Miami Dolphins are desperate not only for offensive line improvement, but a change in mentality up front. Ratledge’s physicality would be a major factor in shifting the team’s offensive identity from speed to a mix of power, as well.
The Dolphins have decisions to make in free agency with most of their interior offensive linemen from last season set to hit the market in March. That includes 2021 second-round pick, Liam Eichenberg, along with Robert Jones and Isaiah Wynn.
The Dolphins have three starting offensive linemen back in 2025 in tackles Austin Jackson and Patrick Paul, along with center Aaron Brewer, and may also have Terron Armstead back for another season. They just have to solidify their guard spots.
Bottom line
Miami’s No. 48 overall selection could be a tad early for Ratledge, but for the Dolphins’ need up front, it may warrant the pick anyway. Ratledge is the type of player who could change the mindset Miami has on short-yardage situations.
Too many times, head coach Mike McDaniel has called plays on third- or fourth-and-short, which scream that he’s afraid to call a direct, inside rush. It’s clear he doesn’t believe in his team’s ability to get a push when it needs just a yard or so. It’s hard to blame him. Miami must invest in a run-blocking presence, and Ratledge is a blue-chip talent in that area.
If Miami doubled up on the offensive line by taking a tackle in the first round followed by Ratledge in the second (or possibly even the third), it would be a fantastic start to the 2025 NFL draft for the Dolphins.