Dolphins GM Sullivan dishes on Miami’s Day 2 picks and his thinking on picks
Highlights from Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s media briefing late Friday night:
▪ On new linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who was picked 43rd overall: “The tape speaks for itself. Instincts are second to none. He can play in space. He will be green dot guy, will call the defense in time. He will fit really well in the room with [Jordyn Brooks and Terrell Dotson].
“Anyone in the building who doesn’t embrace competition shouldn’t [be here].... He’s outgoing, a leader, leads through example. Very, very intelligent player. Can call the defense. He’s a guy you want running the show. He’s a very good person and has great intangibles. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
▪ On getting Louisville receiver Chris Bell at 94; he was a projected late first or second round pick before a torn ACL in November: “We were really excited to add him. He’s healing up great. We expect him to help us this year. It’s a longterm investment. The upside is high. The talent is high. We think we got a really good one.”
▪ On adding bigger players: “We’ve been intentional making sure who we added has met the measurable requirements, but we want to make sure we’re adding good players that have the measurables. It’s important to me that this team looks a certain way and moves a certain way. I believe it’s a big man’s game. We want to build this team big, physical in all positions and have a size advantage.”
▪ On Texas Tech receiver Caleb Douglas, who was picked 75th overall: “He’ a long, rangy body -- has got some very good athleticism. For a tall long limbed receiver, he can drop his weight, has good athleticism and ball skills to adjust to the ball in the air. If you’re going to try to knock him on something, he’s got to get stronger. You could see at his Pro Day and workout that he’s pretty sudden getting in and out of breaks as a long limbed athlete.”
▪ On drafting two receivers on Friday night: “We were intentional about making sure we got some pass catchers. We felt we had to get pass catchers in there.”
▪ On Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek, who was selected 87th: “He’s going to be a difference maker for us in the run game, which opens up so many doors for an offensive coordinator. He’s elite as a blocker. He’s a culture guy. He brings a physicality and toughness to his craft that I think is unmatched.
“He’s a subtly good wide receiver. He’s very capable underneath the zone. He can stretch the seam. Has got a good body, good hands. His super power is in-line blocking.”
He will play tight end, H-back and fullback: “I imagine we’ll do a lot of that stuff with him.”
▪ At least one player the Dolphins wanted was picked very shortly before one of Miami’s picks.
But “I’m thrilled how things turned out,” Sullivan said. “You can’t fall in love with players. You’re not going to get everyone you want.”
▪ He said he kept reminding himself that “you can’t fix it all in one weekend.” He said “I wish we had a chance to address the edge, but it didn’t fall that way. It’s OK. I have faith in Chop Robinson and the rest of that” group.
▪ With Miami holding seven picks on Saturday, Sullivan said “if there’s a player we there we covet, I’m open to” packaging picks “to move up to get a better player.”
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 11:34 PM.
