Kelly: Dolphins land their targeted players, getting aggressive in 2026 draft | Opinion
In the first two days of the NFL’s most important talent procurement process the Miami Dolphins achieved what most teams claim they do annually, and actually have proof to back it up.
The Dolphins secured a collection of players they liked. And while that sounds like a cliche, it’s actually harder to do than you’d think because of how competitive the draft process is.
Miami added Kadyn Proctor, the largest offensive lineman in the 2026 draft.
Then Chris Johnson, an athletic, versatile, instinctive defensive back, whom they made the second cornerback selected in this year’s draft
Miami’s first pick of the second day was Jacob Rodriguez, a playmaking inside linebacker who won every possible postseason award he was up for except the Heisman Trophy.
Miami’s first of three picks in the third round was Texas Tech receiver Caleb Douglas, a 6-foot-4, 206 receiver, who ran a 4.39 at the NFL combine, and is viewed as a red-zone weapon, a master of catching contested 50-50 balls.
“He brings some size to the room,” Matt Winston, the team’s director of college scouting said after the selection of Douglas, whom Miami took ahead of more recognizable names like Ja’Kobi Lane, and Chris Brazzell II, two receivers that were taken later in the third round. “He’s a good athlete who can run a full route tree…Big catch radius.”
Then Miami selected Ohio State’s Will Kacmarek, the best blocking tight end in the draft, and Louisville’s Chris Bell, a talented, but injured receiver who would have likely been a top 50 selection if he hadn’t suffered an ACL injury in late November.
We don’t know enough about the Dolphins’ new executives, talent evaluators and coaches to formulate any hard and firm conclusions. But the one thing the first two days of the NFL draft has taught us is that they hold firm to their convictions.
This was evident by the players Miami targeted, and drafted.
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and his staff didn’t worry about where a player was projected to be taken, or the hype around them.
And the most admirable part of the first two days is there’s evidence Miami didn’t settle for players. They had convictions and went after their guys.
Miami passed on two very good prospects [Caleb Downs and Rueben Bain] to select Proctor, following through with a core belief of team building, which was made popular by a man Dolphins fans should be familiar with.
Bill Parcells’ “Plant Theory” is an NFL drafting philosophy that states there are only a limited number of 300-pound human beings on Earth with the athletic ability to play in the NFL.
Therefore, players like Proctor are incredibly scarce and valuable, so prioritize them because doing so will help build a physically dominant team.
Then the Dolphins moved up three spots to ensure they landed Johnson, a talent Miami preferred over cornerbacks from bigger named programs.
“This team valued me more than any other and that’s a blessing,” Johnson said.
Johnson was Miami’s preference, and they did what it took to ensure they got him before the Buffalo Bills made their selection. I can’t say with conviction that hasn’t always been the case with the Dolphins.
During the Chris Grier era Miami wouldn’t get ahead of runs at positions, like they did with Proctor, who was the third offensive lineman taken, and Johnson, who the second cornerback taken.
Too often the Dolphins had to trade away resources to draft positions of need, and often ended up with duds like Liam Eichenberg doing so.
Jacob Rodriguez, who is one of my favorite talents in the 2026 draft, plays a position that I’d struggle to say is a need for the Dolphins because of Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson’s presence on this team.
Even though both those returning starters are entering the final year of their contracts, inside linebacker is up there with tailback and defense tackles as luxury picks for the Dolphins.
Miami didn’t need Rodriguez, but they clearly wanted him, and took him with. high draft selection.
“He’s a flag bearer, the type of leadership and character he has,” said Kyle Smith, the Dolphins’ newly appointed assistant general manager.
Immediately after Rodriguez was selected two of the draft’s top remaining edge rushers - Derrick Moore taken 44th by the Detroit Lions, and Zion Young taken 45th by the Baltimore Ravens - came off the board.
While Miami has a level of desperation when it comes to addressing that spot, they didn’t act on it, picking the player over the position, and that’s admirable.
If this continues to be the trend maybe this franchise will finally build a solid foundation, one that will be lasting, and maybe lead to wins.
“Guys that are selfless, competitive, all about ball, good human being, good teammate,” Smith said about Rodriguez, a former college quarterback who walked onto Texas Tech before becoming a starter, and eventually winning every college football defensive honor for last season’s 128 tackle, one sack, four interceptions and seven forced fumble performance. “He’s everything we want to be about.”
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 10:51 PM.
