The first draft by the Dolphins’ new regime will show whether it can evaluate talent
The Miami Dolphins came into the NFL Draft with very clear needs.
Cornerback, wide receiver, edge rusher, interior offensive linemen, safety — everyone knew what they had to add. The hope was that they would address each, preferably within the first two days.
Instead, the Dolphins added 13 players who had some combination of size, physicality and versatility, eschewing popular perception that sees many teams overdraft players based solely on need. That’s not to say the Dolphins didn’t potentially reach — a few names certainly come to mind — yet how well these players perform will be the ultimate determinate of whether general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and the rest of the franchise’s newcomers can evaluate talent.
“They can play,” Sullivan said of the 2026 draft class. “Don’t ever mistake that. We’re not going to bring guys in here that we don’t think can play on the field, but then when you talk about the wiring of the individuals, we feel like we accomplished what we set out to accomplish.”
The three names that immediately yielded questions were Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas. While each has the opportunity to prove himself in Miami, it would be a lie to say they were popular picks.
Although Proctor checks the size and toughness boxes, the Dolphins had a chance to select two of the draft’s top prospects in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. before trading the No. 11 pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for No. 12. Proctor, conversely, was pegged as a late first-rounder due to concerns about his weight and inconsistent technique despite his apparent strength and athleticism.
Sullivan, however, banked on Proctor’s potential.
“I could feel his conviction and his desire to be a good football player and do the things that he needs to do to be the best pro that he can be,” Sullivan said of when Proctor came to South Florida for a 30 visit. He simply chalked up the weight issue to the ignorance of youth. “All I can tell you is that there wasn’t another one in the draft like him, period.”
The second-round selection of Rodriguez does. He was undoubtedly the best linebacker in college football last season, walking away with the Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Lombardi Award and Butkus Awards in addition to being named a first-team unanimous All-American and Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year. His cultural fit — “outgoing, a leader, sets the example,” per Sullivan— has no doubt.
Still, edge rushers such as Mizzou’s Zion Young and Michigan’s Derrick Moore were still available in the second round, both of whom would’ve filled positional needs. Linebacker wasn’t necessarily a huge hole considering the presence of two returning starters in the All-Pro Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson. Sullivan, however, noted that the physicality of the game can shake a roster at a moment’s notice.
“You can have an embarrassment of riches in a room and then you got a hamstring and an ankle, and now you’re going to your emergency board,” Sullivan said. “We took the players that we felt like were the best for the Miami Dolphins. That’s no shot at anybody that didn’t end up here. I’m sure they’ll go on to have wonderful careers and we wish him nothing but the best. But we’re very happy with who we took and who we wound up with.”
Then there’s Douglas. Taken in the third round, the 6-4 receiver has a huge 79-inch wingspan that he pairs with 4.39 speed. He, however, was believed to be a Day 3 pick due to drops and perceived inability to play through physicality. The availability of players such as LSU safety A.J. Haulcy and Tennessee receiver Chris Brazzell II, both of whom were ranked higher by several evaluators.
Miami seemingly redeemed itself nine picks later with Chris Bell. Prior to tearing his ACL in November 2025, the Louisville wideout was considered one of the better receivers due to his unique blend of size and speed. Sullivan hopes Douglas and Bell can form a competitive bond that pushes both wideouts to be great.
“There’s a mutual respect and bond that happens with young players as they go through the rigors of the NFL, especially within their first year and they do it together,” Sullivan said. “It’s a brotherhood. You hear players all the time talk about family, brotherhood. I would foresee that developing between those two. They’re both good kids, and they’re both competitors, but I think they’ll have a mutual respect for each other and appreciation for each other.”
The vision for other players remains a bit clearer.
San Diego State’s Chris Johnson, taken 27th overall, has the size and coverage chops to potential start at cornerback from day one. Will Kacmarek, a third-round pick out of Ohio State, can immediately contribute as a blocking tight end, a huge asset in the run game.
Two of Miami’s fourth-round picks in Texas’ Trey Moore and Pitt’s Kyle Louis both have a bit of scheme flexibility. Moore could potentially line up on the edge or at inside linebacker alongside Louis, whose man-coverage ability flashed at the Senior Bowl to the point that some packages could see him at safety.
In the fifth round, the Dolphins drafted its first true safety in Texas’ Michael Taaffe, a former walk-on who ended his collegiate career as both a two-time captain and All-American. Similar to Rodriguez, he possesses rare intangibles despite his lack of size. Mizzou wideout Kevin Coleman Jr., a fifth-round pick, brings versatility as a slot receiver but also a return specialist.
The final three players taken — Mississippi State tight end Seydou Traore, Texas guard DJ Campbell and Iowa edge Max Llewelyn – in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, respectively, all bring size to their position groups.
Regardless of what even the most respected evaluator’s perception of a player is, anything could happen. Proctor could grow into the Dolphins’ tackle of the future. Rodriguez might follow in the footsteps of fellow Red Raiders that dominated in South Florida. Douglas and Bell could even be the next Marks Brothers.
Miami’s mantra has been clear since the Dolphins’ roster reset began earlier this offseason. Everyone will get a shot to start. If these players are who the Dolphins’ top brass expected them to be, it will show.
