Nine analysts dish on Dolphins’ pick Proctor. And interesting comment from Saban
What analysts are saying about the Dolphins’ selection of Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor with the 12th overall pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft, after moving down one spot from 11 in a trade that also netted Miami two fifth-round picks from the Cowboys:
▪ ABC analyst and former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who recruited Proctor to Alabama: “Size wise, athletically, as good as it gets in this draft. This guy to me has more ability and more talent in his body than maybe anybody I’ve ever coached. Consistency in performance… Excellence is defined by consistency and performance. He’s been a little up and down in his career. But man, if you can get it out of him, he’s going to be outstanding. I think he can play tackle or guard. This guy is a phenomenal athlete for his size.’”
But Saban also gave Lions podcaster Eric Schlitt this somewhat cautionary warning: “The issue with him is--he’s not a bad person. He’ll do whatever you ask him to, once you get him in the building. But when he’s not in the building, he might get a little overweight, he might not come in in the best shape, and those are the things you have to manage with him. But I think they’re manageable. He’s not exactly a self-starter who will get in great shape and come to camp like you want him. But if you can get him to come to camp, (once) you got him there, you can get him ready to go. So, I don’t think that’s a huge negative for the guy.”
▪ ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit: “A mauler in the run game. When they angle in front of him to make him move laterally, that’s an area he would want to improve.”
▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: He said the 6-7, 352-pounder has “talent in abundance. He should be a Pro Bowl player. He should have been a dominant player week in and week out at Alabama. First game against Florida State, he struggled, allowed a sack, two quarterback hits, three hurries and a penalty in that game. Second half of that game against the Seminoles, he had all kinds of problems. He got better as the season went along.
“I think he qualifies somewhat as an underachiever. For all that talent, you have to dominate in college. Kadyn Proctor can be as good as Kadyn Proctor wants to be. If he wants to be a great player in the NFL, he has the talent to be that guy. At Alabama, there were a few many [times] where he let inferior players beat him... in pass protection. He’s got to figure all that out and become more consistent.”
▪ ESPN’s Louis Riddick: “You are betting on the football character developing to the point where he’s a self-starter and you don’t have to baby sit him all the time. When [his] weight is down, [he] dominates people. This guy moves people against their will. You are making a bet on the fact his maturity will kick in and… he will keep his weight at a manageable level…. If he’s on, it’s over. This dude is a problem.”
▪ ESPN’s Booger McFarland: He’s got to make sure he keeps his weight down. When he’s in shape, he can play at a high level. It’s going to be about his motivation. Is he going to be motivated to keep his weight down?”
▪ NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: “He is massive. He was a little out of shape at the beginning of the season. He got himself into shape and really played well down the stretch. When this guy is dialed in, he’s impressive. When you talk about anchor vs. power, you’re going to have a hard time getting through those pads. You want someone who can move people in the run game -- some teams viewed him as a guard for this reason -- he can displace people in that run game. He is so big and strong and powerful.”
▪ ESPN’s Matt Miller, who had mocked him 17th: “The 6-foot-7, 352-pound three-year starter had one of the best combine and pro day combinations of any player in the class to boost his stock.
▪ ESPN’s Jordan Reid, who had mocked him 28th: “Proctor might have the most upside of any blocker in this class. Along with being massive, he’s a heavy-handed blocker who generates movement with ease. There are questions about Proctor’s conditioning and whether he fits better as a tackle or a guard in the NFL.”
▪ NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien: “Proctor is a mass of humanity with rare size and length at his command. He’s capable as a move blocker but shines when rolling downhill as a bona-fide people mover with bulldozing power. However, slants and quick first steps beat him to the spot in the run game.
“When set and centered, Proctor is a roadblock to speed-to-power charges. He has a stout anchor and strong hands to stall the rush in its track. He struggles to mirror athletes in space and lacks the range to protect deeper pocket drops against speed. Inconsistency in pass protection hasn’t helped his draft standing, but he still has the potential to become a good right tackle or very good guard.”
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:38 PM.
