Trader Selected By Dolphins In Fifth Round Of NFL Draft
Press release...
GREEN BAY, WI – University of Maryland safety Dante Trader Jr. was chosen by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday. Trader Jr., the 155th overall selection joins teammate defensive lineman Jordan Phillips as a fellow draft pick by the Dolphins in the fifth round as Phillips went 143rd overall.
With the selections of Trader Jr., along with Phillips, wide receiver Tai Felton, who was selected in the third round on Friday and Ruben Hyppolite II in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears, Maryland has now had four or more players drafted in two of the last three NFL Drafts, with 11 total draftees in those three years.
Trader, a three-year starter over his four-year career at Maryland, boasts career totals of 190 tackles (123 solo), 16 pass deflections, five interceptions and one forced fumble. He finished among the top three in tackles for the Terps in three consecutive years from 2022-24. According to Pro Football Focus, Trader was the highest-graded tackler (90.0) in the Big Ten (min 500 snaps). His grade against the run (83.0) also ranked sixth. Trader is ranked No. 257 on PFF's Big Board rankings.
In addition to his excelling on the field, the defensive back was named to the 2024 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team as a nominee, showcasing a commitment to giving back to his community. He was also named CSC Academic All-District in 2023. Trader participated in the NFL Scouting Combine and Reese's Senior Bowl.
He was also a lacrosse All-American for Maryland's team in 2023.
The last time two Terps were selected by the same team in the same draft was in 2020 when the Pittsburgh Steelers picked Anthony McFarland Jr. and Antoine Brooks. The last time two Terps were picked in the same round of the same draft by the same team was in 1958 when the Chicago Bears picked Ed Cooke and Don Healy in the third round.
Trader Jr. has earned his degree in African American & Africana Studies.