After one of the more ruthless exoduses in recent memory, the Miami Dolphins are embarking on a new era. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley made the trip southeast to Miami from the Green Bay Packers and have wasted little time making their mark on the organization.
Several big-name players, including Bradley Chubb, Tyreek Hill, and Tua Tagovailoa, have been cut, while Jaylen Waddle was traded to the Denver Broncos. With multiple positions to address and a new quarterback to support in Malik Willis, it’s a good thing the Dolphins have 11 total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including seven in the top 94.
The team’s rebuild will be a multi-year endeavor, but here is my blueprint for Sullivan’s first NFL Draft as the Dolphins’ GM.
Spencer Fano, Utah | OT
Round 1, Pick 11
I wrote two mock drafts back when the Dolphins had Jaylen Waddle, and even then, I had them taking a receiver here. But in a relatively deep receiver class, and with a rebuild underway, I didn’t like how this draft ended up looking when I ignored the offensive line in the early rounds.
The top offensive tackles could come off the board in any order on Day 1, but I expect a couple to be already gone by the time Miami picks at 11. I’m giving the Dolphins Spencer Fano out of Utah, but it should really just be the best tackle available at this spot.
Despite the playmakers available here, Miami needs some grown-up decisions to kickstart its new era, after years of prioritizing flair over substance. The Dolphins’ offense is still going to run heavily through De’Von Achane (barring a trade), and the Utah product immediately helps secure the edge for those explosive runs and screens.
Avieon Terrell, Clemson | CB
Round 1, Pick 30
Avieon Terrell went higher than this in my mocks. However, Jermod McCoy’s impressive pro day workout should have put him back into top-20 contention and pushed other corners down the board.
Terrell is a combative corner who shies away from no one in one-on-one battles and is a consistent disruptor when attacking downhill. Hafley’s Packers defense relied heavily on its tackling at every level, making Terrell a perfect fit and a potential Day 1 star.
Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt | TE
Round 2, Pick 43
After making more grown-up decisions on Day 1, the Dolphins land a new pass catcher at the first opportunity in the second round. This would be a reach according to consensus, but I think Eli Stowers will be taken earlier than people expect.
His record-breaking vertical jump at the combine was more impressive to me than Kenyon Sadiq’s explosive 40-yard dash, as his athleticism isn’t what stands out on tape. Stowers has a natural feel for space when running routes, and his hands are magnetic at the catch point.
Stowers was my sleeper pick in PFSN’s latest roundtable article, and I expect it to stay that way unless he surges up industry big boards before the draft.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State | Edge
Round 3, Pick 75
The Dolphins added two veteran edge rushers on one-year deals in free agency, but having lost Chubb and Jaelan Phillips in the last year, a long-term replacement is required. Dani Dennis-Sutton is one of the less talked-about edge rushers in this year’s class, but his production suggests he’d be a steal in Round 3.
In his final two years at Penn State, Dennis-Sutton tallied 17 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles, 6 passes defended, and an interception.
Elijah Sarratt, Indiana | WR
Round 3, Pick 87
Considering the consensus that this draft class is deep at receiver, Elijah Sarratt is getting nowhere near enough respect. The 2025 national champion is being overshadowed by his more flashy Indiana teammate, Omar Cooper Jr., but it’s Sarratt who was the more consistent performer in college.
Sarratt tallied 1,787 receiving yards and 23 receiving touchdowns over his two years in Indiana and should be in the conversation for a Round 2 selection. That doesn’t appear to be the case, though, which suits the Dolphins here, as they land their second pass-catching steal of the draft.
Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State | CB
Round 3, Pick 90
Provided the Dolphins land a starting tackle and at least one starting pass catcher, no level of aggression is too high when it comes to attacking the cornerback position in this draft.
Already an area of need before free agency, Miami then allowed five corners to walk out the door at the end of their deals.
Having picked up Terrell at the end of Round 1, Miami locks down the opposite side of the field with Davison Igbinosun. Igbinosun put together four years of solid production across spells with Ole Miss and Ohio State but really excelled in his final two years.
The former Buckeye accumulated 4 interceptions, 17 pass breakups, and a national title across 2024 and 2025, and is another Day 1 starter for Hafley’s new defense.
Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina | DB
Round 3, Pick 94
Just three picks later, Miami adds more quality to its secondary in the form of South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore. There are some top safety prospects in this year’s draft, and although Kilgore may not be among the elite names at the position, he is a solid addition for a team needing a replacement for Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Kilgore is an early declare, having produced 8 interceptions, 21 pass breakups, and 178 tackles (4.5 for loss) across three years in the SEC.
Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma | OL
Round 4, Pick 130
PFSN’s NFL Draft expert Ian Cummings had Oklahoma’s Febechi Nwaiwu going a full round ahead of this at Pick 93 in his recent seven-round mock. With tackle addressed early, there is still a need to add talent inside, and this is a good spot to do it.
After three years at North Texas, Nwaiwu transferred to Oklahoma and displayed dominance at both center and guard. His efforts in 2025 earned him a first-team All-American selection from The Athletic.
Kaytron Allen, Penn State | RB
Round 5, Pick 151
Regardless of whether Achane stays or goes, with a potential contract standoff looming, the Dolphins need to improve at the goal line. Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon have both been given opportunities to be the bruiser inside the 5, but neither has done enough to earn the trust of Hafley long-term.
Kaytron Allen is another prospect I believe is being overlooked in a class most believe is incredibly shallow at running back. There could easily be a diamond or two in the dirt, though, and Allen’s college stats suggest he could be one of them. Four years of consistent production, from freshman to senior, is exactly the kind of reliability Miami needs.
Zavion Thomas, LSU | WR
Round 7, Pick 227
Allen is the first player on this list that I wouldn’t expect to be a full-time starter in 2026. But while the fifth round is usually full of solid depth pieces, Round 7 is an opportunity to take some upside shots at the end of a sensible and foundational draft for Miami.
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Zavion Thomas’ profile doesn’t jump off the page, but his electric 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine certainly does. It’s not just straight-line speed; Thomas showed plenty of twitch and evasiveness at LSU and can earn an early role as a returner.
Bryce Phillips, San Diego State | CB
Round 7, Pick 238
Bryce Phillips’ San Diego State teammate Chris Johnson is in contention for a late Day 1 pick. Phillips will have to wait a little while longer than that, but I think he’s a worthwhile depth piece for Miami here.
Phillips doesn’t possess the speed you’d like to see from an NFL corner, but around the red zone, his size and strength could make him a valuable one-on-one defender.
