With 15 days left until the 2026 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins hold seven of the top 100 picks.
- Round 1: Pick 11
- Round 1: Pick 30 (via Denver Broncos, Jaylen Waddle trade)
- Round 2: Pick 43
- Round 3: Pick 75
- Round 3: Pick 87 (via Philadelphia Eagles, Jaelan Phillips trade)
- Round 3: Pick 90 (via Houston Texans)
- Round 3: Pick 94 (via Denver Broncos, Jaylen Waddle trade)
- Round 4: Pick 130 (via Denver Broncos, Jaylen Waddle trade)
- Round 5: Pick 151
- Round 7: Pick 227
- Round 7: Pick 238 (via New York Jets, Minkah Fitzpatrick trade)
This will be the first draft for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, both of whom have previously expressed their desire to rebuild the Dolphins via the draft. Given the plethora of needs surrounding the team, the Dolphins should (and probably will) select the best player available at each pick. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the five biggest needs for the team.
1. Wide receiver
Arguably the thinnest room in Miami’s building, the Dolphins desperately need reinforcements at the receiver position. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone, the current #1 receiver for the Dolphins is Malik Washington, who caught 46 passes for 317 yards this season. His output with certainly increase with the aforementioned duo no longer on the team, but he needs help. The same can be said for quarterback Malik Willis, who the Dolphins took a swing on in free agency.
I expect the Dolphins to draft a receiver with one of their first four picks, whether that be Makai Lemon or Carnell Tate at No. 11, Denzel Boston at No. 30, or even Elijah Sarratt at No. 75. All four prospects offer different skillsets, though the size of Boston and/or Sarratt is certainly intriguing.
2. Cornerback
If not for Miami’s slim pickings at wide receiver, this would be the #1 priority for the team. Storm Duck is currently the team’s No. 1 corner, but he started just two games in a 2025 season plagued by injury. The team’s No. 2 corner is Juju Brents, who appeared in 14 games but struggled with injuries during his time with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. Neither player can be considered a true, lockdown-level, No. 1 corner. Far from it, in fact.
LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy are two corners likely to be taken in the Top-15 picks, and the Dolphins would greatly benefit from drafting either. Delane ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and is the most polished corner in the draft. McCoy, on the other hand, is a slightly larger and more physical corner, who should have no problems lining up on the outside.
3. Offensive line
The Dolphins need offensive line help, what’s new?
While left tackle Patrick Paul and center Aaron Brewer are great pieces to build around rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea was a disappointment last year. Right tackle Austin Jackson struggled with injuries, playing in just 6 games.
Those four players are likely to be Miami’s top offensive linemen in 2026, simply due to a lack of numbers on the depth chart. In other words, the Dolphins need a right guard.
Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane could slot in perfectly, and he will likely be available at No.11 for the Dolphins. But, if the Dolphins wanted to draft a tackle, they could do so, and then move Austin Jackson to right guard. Francis Mauigoa is widely considered the best tackle in the draft, but may be drafted before the Dolphins are on the clock. Utah’s Spencer Fano and Georgia’s Monroe Feeling are two of the other top tackles in the draft, and will likely be available for the Dolphins at No. 11.
4. Edge rusher
With Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb both departing in free agency, the Dolphins are also thin in the edge rushing department. Picking up on a theme yet?
Though the team added Josh Uche and David Beal Jr. in free agency, neither name strikes great fear into opposing offensive lines. Third year linebacker Chop Robinson is still with the team, but failed to build on his promising rookie season with just four sacks in 15 games.
I don’t expect the Dolphins to select an edge rusher with any of their first five picks, simply due to the lack of talent at the position in this year’s class. Value wise, there are better positions to prioritize in the early rounds. However, Penn State’s Dani-Dennis Sutton is one to watch out for. He may be available at No. 90 for the Dolphins, late in the third round.
5. Safety
Finally, the Dolphins should draft a safety in this year’s draft. Historically, teams have refused to spend early draft capital on safeties, believing that better value at the position can be found in the later rounds.
But the Dolphins have a need at the position, and need often trumps best practice.
Not to mention, this year’s draft class is a little different, because this year’s draft class has Caleb Downs of Ohio State. Downs is a A+ prospect, and is a considered a plug-and-play guy. He should start immediately for whichever team drafts him. It’s worth nothing that there are some slightly injury concerns for Downs regarding his knee, which may cause his stock to slide on draft day. But if he’s available at No. 11, I expect the Dolphins to look past such issues, and pull the trigger.
If not Downs, Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and USC’s Kamari Ramsey are two names to watch out for in the second and third round.
Agree with our rankings? Which positions would you prioritize in this year’s draft? Let us know in the comments down below!
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