Dolphins Projected to Draft Star WR After Losing Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle
The Miami Dolphins have undergone a ton of changes since the 2025 season came to an end.
Mike McDaniel was fired as the head coach, and he took the offensive coordinator job with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Former Green Bay Packers DC Jeff Hafley was hired as the new coach, and Packers assistant Jon-Eric Sullivan became the new GM.
The Dolphins then let go of Tyreek Hill, signed quarterback Malik Willis to a big free agent deal, and then traded away wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
Miami has no plans to trade running back De'Von Achane, at least for now, but finding a new wide receiver for Willis is a priority in the NFL Draft.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had a new mock draft, and he has the Dolphins trading down with the No. 30 pick they acquired from Denver.
Kiper has the Arizona Cardinals trading up to select Alabama QB Ty Simpson, but the Dolphins move down to No. 34 and select Alabama WR Germie Bernard.
"Down Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle since this time last year, the Dolphins will be sizing up this receiver class. Bernard has underrated speed (4.48) and superb hands, and new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik could get creative in how he uses him. Bernard had 862 yards and seven TDs as a pass catcher last season, but he also ran for 101 yards and two scores," Kiper wrote.
This WR group has a ton of talent, but Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate are likely going to be top-10 picks.
And, even though the Dolphins trade down, they land a premier talent in Bernard.
Germie Bernard Would be Dolphins WR1 Right Away
Bernard spent one season at each of Michigan State and Washington before following Kalen DeBoer to Tuscaloosa in 2024.
This past season was the best of Bernard's career as he caught 64 passes for 862 yards with seven touchdowns as the WR1 for the Crimson Tide offense.
I'm an immediate fan of Alabama WR Germie Bernard
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) April 2, 2026
He strikes me as a guy who the 49ers would be very keen on based on his extremely versatile skillset
He reminds me a lot of Omar Cooper Jr but you can potentially snag Germie at pick 58. A guy who shows great yac ability, can… https://t.co/1JGBKEwyzepic.twitter.com/pjfm4bQvyo
After moving on from Hill and Waddle, the current WR room in Miami is not very exciting.
Tutu Atwell is there, and Jalen Tolbert, but there is no question Bernard would be the WR1 if he lands with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins' WR room, which once featured Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, now looks like this:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2026
Tutu Atwell
Jalen Tolbert
Terrace Marshall Jr.
Malik Washington
Tahj Washington
Theo Wease Jr.
A.J. Henning pic.twitter.com/32yKNsEsYf
The Dolphins also have the No. 11 overall pick, and Kiper has them selecting Miami Hurricanes OL Francis Mauigoa, so getting a starting OL and WR in the first 40 picks would be a huge step in the right direction for this team.
Related: Dolphins Make De'Von Achane Decision After Jaylen Waddle Trade
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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 1:04 PM.