Exploring Dolphins first-round draft options on offense: WRs, TE, RT could tempt
Unlike last April, when the Dolphins seemingly felt compelled to address defensive line after ignoring it in free agency, Miami should be able to enter April’s NFL Draft with a more open-minded approach.
With help needed at every position on defense, as well as receiver and quarterback and tight end — and no cap space to fill any of those spots with big-ticket March signings — the Dolphins and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan have ultimate flexibility with the 11th overall pick in the first round.
Miami likely will have more interesting options on defense than offense at 11, if the draft ends up in April how it looks now (and it seldom does).
Here’s an early look at players on offense who are projected for the top half of the first round, with the understanding that everything in the draft is fluid and players will slide up and down boards after the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine and Pro Days:
▪ Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson: It’s highly questionable if he will be there. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates have him seventh overall. Most mock drafts have him gone before 11.
Despite missing three games with a hamstring injury, the 6-2 Tyson had 61 catches, 711 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in nine games this season and would provide an ideal complement to Jaylen Waddle.
“The Colorado transfer has lit up defenses for two seasons with the Sun Devils,” Kiper said. “Tyson’s superpower is being open even when it looks like he’s completely blanketed. It makes him essentially uncoverable in the red zone. He wins on 50-50 balls and outmuscles defensive backs.”
Yates noted that “when the ball is in Tyson’s hands, he is tenacious and flexes excellent acceleration.”
▪ Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate: Like with Tyson, it would be somewhat of a surprise if he’s there at 11.
The 6-3 Tate had 48 catches, 838 receiving yards and 9 TDs this season, while averaging 17.5 per catch. Yates has him as a top-five pick, but Kiper rates him ninth.
Kiper says he’s “a precise route runner, has great hands and displays outstanding body control. And he’ll also happily block for ball carriers, which NFL coaches love to see.”
What’s more, he didn’t drop any of his 58 targets this season.
“He has very good size, runs terrific routes and can make contested catches,” Yates said.
▪ Southern Cal receiver Makai Lemon: Of the three top receivers, he’s considered the most likely to be there at 11. Whether he’s worthy of a top-12 pick is debatable. Kiper has him 10th, Yates 21st and Pro Football Focus has him 14th.
Lemon had 79 catches, 1,156 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs. But at 5-11, he doesn’t have the size that Tate and Tyson provide.
“This kid is a warrior who plays with passion,” Kiper said. “I’d want Lemon on my roster. He snatches the ball away from his body in an attacking manner then runs with a fierce approach after the catch. He is one of my favorite players in the class, and he currently ranks fourth in the nation in receiving yards.”
Yates notes that “we are in an era where dominant receivers don’t come exclusively in the form of 6-3, 200-plus pound players with 4.4 speed. Lemon has one of the best catch radiuses I’ve studied over the past three classes, and he has dropped the ball only once in each of his three seasons.”
Former ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s first mock draft has Tate fifth, Tyson eighth and Lemon not in his top 15.
▪ Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq:
While the Dolphins could “get by” with Greg Dulcich, Julian Hill and a cheap free agent, Sadiq would be tempting because of the upside.
He has 40 catches, 490 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns but dropped a pass in the playoff game against Indiana.
Sadiq, who’s 6-3 and 245 pounds, “is loaded with physical traits,” said Kiper, who has him eighth on his Big Board.
“He has the explosion to hurdle defenders in the open field. He has the vision and speed to cause conflict after the catch, with almost half his 2025 yardage coming after the ball is in his hands. And he’s nearly impossible to match against because of his quickness and size. Sadiq has been consistent this season, and he should be the first tight end off the board.”
McShay has him ninth.
Yates isn’t quite as bullish, noting “scouts have questions about Sadiq’s length, but he’s extremely versatile and can make an impact in an NFL offense.”
Pro Football Focus has him 23rd.
▪ Offensive linemen: Miami is set at left tackle with Patrick Paul and at center with Aaron Brewer; might want to continue investing in Jonah Savaiineaa at left guard (nobody knows yet how Sullivan feels about him); and wouldn’t benefit much from a cap perspective by moving on from guard James Daniels or right tackle Austin Jackson.
Unless UM’s Francis Mauoigoa surprisingly falls to Miami’s slot (McShay slots him sixth overall), the only offensive lineman expected to go in Miami’s range is Utah’s Spencer Fano, who was a starter at left tackle in 2023 and right tackle in 2024.
Kiper has him 14th on his Big Board, noting he’s “technically sound and shows good punch to compensate for his lack of ideal arm length.” PFF and McShay have him going 13th.
Utah’s other tackle, Caleb Lomu, is also considered a potential top-25 pick.
“He moves fluidly at 6-6, 304 pounds, serving as a gifted striker in the running game and a dependable pass blocker. Lomu did not allow a single sack this season, giving up a measly six pressures,” Yates said.
▪ No quarterback is currently projected for Miami’s first-round range. Alabama’s Ty Simpson, if he follows through on plans to go pro, is considered more of a late first-rounder. Mississippi’s Trinidid Chambliss, who could make a case to go in the first round, is legally challenging the NCAA’s ruling denying him an extra year of eligibility.
Notre Dame running back Jerimiyah Love could go in Miami’s range, or just before, but the Dolphins appear set at that position with De’Von Achane.
Coming Tuesday: A look at Miami’s first-round options on defense.
Here’s a Monday night update on the Dolphins’ coaching search.
This story was originally published January 12, 2026 at 3:17 PM.
