The most interesting thing Dolphins’ Sullivan said this month. And cap options
Some people collect baseball cards, comic books or movie posters. Others in a much higher tax bracket (think Jay Leno) collect vintage cars.
Jon-Eric Sullivan likes to collect draft picks. In the eyes of the Dolphins’ new general manager, draft picks are precious, like a vintage wine or a family heirloom.
And Sullivan doesn’t merely collect the ones he already has. He likes to collect others that he doesn’t yet own.
During a recent session with Dolphins season-ticket holders, Sullivan revealed what will be one of the hallmarks of at least the early stages of this Dolphins rebuild.
“It’s my job to try to turn these eight [draft] picks into 11 or 12 as we move forward, so we can get good value and get more swings in the bat,” he said. “It always gives you a better chance to be successful when you have strength and numbers, so to speak.”
The Dolphins currently own one pick in the first round (11th), one in the second (43rd), three in the third (75, 87 and 90), one in the fourth (111), one in the fifth (149) and one in the seventh (227). The sixth-round pick was dealt to the Giants last June in exchange for tight end Darren Waller, an impending free agent.
So we should all be braced for the strong possibility that one or two or three of those picks in the first two rounds will be parlayed into slightly lower picks, plus additional picks.
It’s a strategy that makes sense, because it fits neatly into Sullivan’s plan to build this team around draft picks and a select group of under-30 players on the current roster.
So who could the Dolphins land if they trade down several picks in the first round and second round? A lot can change between now and April 23-25, but a here’s an early quick look at what a trade down could mean in the first round:
The players most consistently projected for Miami’s range (10 to 13) include cornerbacks Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), Ohio State inside linebacker Sonny Styles and receivers Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Makai Lemon (Southern California).
Though some mock drafts have UM edge player Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs being picked just before 11, it would be a mild surprise if either makes it to 11.
At least two of those aforementioned players (excluding Bain and Downs) figure to be available if Miami picks say, 15th, instead of 11th.
And if the Dolphins trade down to the late teens, or even the early 20s, the Dolphins’ options figure to include some among:
▪ At least four edge players: UM’s Akheem Mesidor (an ideal 4-3 defensive end, with Miami potentially moving to that scheme), Southeastern Conference edge players Keldric Faulk (Auburn) and Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) and Clemson’s DJ Parker.
▪ At least two defensive tackles: Florida’s Caleb Banks and Clemson’s Peter Woods.
▪ At least four offensive linemen: Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling (likely would move to right tackle if the Dolphins draft him), Clemson tackle Blake Miller, Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and Penn State guard Olaivavega Ionae.
▪ At least four defensive backs: Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse and Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
▪ One tight end: Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq.
▪ One receiver: Washington’s Denzel Boston.
▪ Polarizing Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who is being mocked anywhere from 16 to 21 by the network analysts.
During that session with season-ticker holders, Sullivan also said something that all general managers say: “We’re going to always take the best player available.”
In Sullivan’s case, it is believable because the Dolphins have needs everywhere except running back. Among the players projected for the first round, only Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love plays a position that could not be justified with Miami’s first-round pick.
Cap update
If the Dolphins opt to designate Bradley Chubb as a post-June 1 cut, Miami — at the moment — would have less than $4 million in current cap space.
So several more moves are needed to give Sullivan enough room for the Dolphins to be functional in free agency.
The most obvious remaining ways to create space:
▪ Trading or cutting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is being shopped, according to Jordan Schultz: His current contract calls for a $15.8 million salary and an $18.9 million cap hit in 2026. His 2026 Dolphins dead money cap hit drops to $12.9 million if he’s cut or traded before June 1 and just $3.2 million after June 1, but with the difference on Miami’s books in 2027.
▪ Trading or cutting Austin Jackson: The veteran right tackle is due $9.9 million next season (none of that is guaranteed) with a $15.8 million cap hit. If the Dolphins decide to part ways, his cap hit would be $13.8 million if the Dolphins release or trade him before June 1, but just $4.3 million after June 1 (with a $9.5 million hit in 2027).
▪ Trading or cutting kicker Jason Sanders: He’s under contract next season at $3.7 million; none of that money is guaranteed. He has a $4.6 million cap hit if he’s on the team. If he’s cut before June 1, his dead money 2026 Dolphins cap hit would be $663,000.
▪ Releasing fullback Alec Ingold: None of his $3.6 million salary is guaranteed next season, and his 2026 Dolphins cap hit would drop from $5.1 million to $1.9 million if he’s released.
▪ Releasing linebacker Tyrel Dodson: Dodson is due $2.4 million, none guaranteed, next season. The 2026 cap hit for Dodson would drop from $3.7 million to $717,500 with a pre-June 1 cut.
▪ Releasing cornerback Julius Brents: None of his $1.8 million salary next season is guaranteed, and his $1.8 million 2026 cap hit disappears entirely (with no dead money) by cutting him.
▪ Restructuring contracts of defensive lineman Zach Sieler and linebacker Jordyn Brooks, among others.
Keep in mind that only two players can be designated as post-June 1 cuts.
This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 1:03 PM.
