It’s hard to imagine a more chaotic season for the Miami Dolphins. The team lost its superstar receiver, Tyreek Hill, to a devastating injury after he tore his ACL, dislocated his knee, and tore other ligaments. Additionally, the front office fired general manager Chris Grier, a move that fans openly celebrated.
To top it off, the team traded away edge rusher Jaelen Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick at the trade deadline.
Could a Safety Transform the Miami Dolphins’ Defense?
All of that turmoil has led to a 3-7 record, with victories over the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and a surprising Week 10 upset of the Buffalo Bills. Now, the Dolphins are expected to have one of the top picks in the NFL draft. With that selection, they are predicted to land a player who evaluators believe has the potential to become a future All-Pro.
While the Dolphins have several needs to address, their defensive line and edge rush units are current weaknesses. The offense also lacks consistent pass catchers behind Jaylen Waddle, at both wide receiver and tight end.
Despite those other needs, PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator predicts the team will fill a hole at safety by drafting Ohio State’s Caleb Downs with their first-round pick. For Miami, this selection makes sense for several key reasons.
As it currently stands, the Dolphins’ depth chart lists Minkah Fitzpatrick as the starting free safety with Elijah Campbell as his backup. At strong safety, Ashtyn Davis is the starter, followed by Dante Trader Jr. and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Outside of Fitzpatrick, none of those players is a true difference-maker for Miami’s secondary.
Furthermore, the decision is also about the future. Fitzpatrick will be in the last year of his current contract in 2026. Instead of extending him with a large contract, the Dolphins could opt for a rookie on a much cheaper deal. This financial flexibility is significant because the Dolphins currently rank 28th in 2026 cap room, with a projected $ 1.9 million available.
This season with the Buckeyes, Downs has been a force, recording 43 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one pass defense. Over his three collegiate seasons, he has accumulated 231 tackles, six interceptions, nine passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.
Downs serves as the cornerstone of the defense for the best team in college football. He could bring that game-changing presence to a Dolphins unit that currently ranks 27th in PFSN’s Defensive Impact rankings.
Although teams often hesitate to use a high first-round pick on a safety, Downs is absolutely someone Miami should consider. He has the potential to take over games on defense, and that is a quality the Dolphins cannot afford to ignore.
