Miami Dolphins 2026 Mock Draft

The Miami Dolphins are under new management for their 2026/2027 campaign. They will be under the guidance of Jon-Eric Sullivan (General Manager) and Jeff Hafley (Head Coach). The change comes after the Dolphins missed the playoffs for the second year in a row under Mike McDaniel and under new jurisdiction the Dolphins have already made multiple moves.

• Tyreek Hill was released.
• Tua Tagovailoa was released.
• Bradley Chubb was released.
• Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded to the Jets
• Jaylen Waddle was traded to Denver for a first round pick.
• Malik Willis was signed with the hopes of being the team’s future quarterback.

Beyond many other moves and small free agent signings and have 7 picks in the top 100 of this year’s NFL Draft which takes place in just a few days.

So, with that said, I did my one and only mock addressing the Dolphins needs with an explanation for each.

11. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Spencer Fano is one of the most athletic offensive tackles in the 2026 class. At 6’5½”, 311 pounds, he brings elite movement skills, loose hips, quick feet, and outstanding balance/recovery ability that allow him to mirror speed rushers and climb to the second level in the run game. He started extensively on both left and right tackle at Utah (including a standout 2025 season with zero sacks allowed and minimal pressures), showing the versatility to play either side immediately. His explosiveness in space, rangy pass protection, and ability to sustain blocks make him a natural fit for zone-heavy or movement schemes.

For the Dolphins, Fano is a premium early pick that could anchor the offensive line for years. He projects as a high-floor, high-ceiling Day 1 starter with first-round pedigree, excellent value at No. 11 to address a key area of need with immediate impact potential.

Fano could be an Austin Jackson replacement, and it could also be a way for Jackson to slide back to guard.

30. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Colton Hood is a physical, confident corner with ideal press-man traits and the toughness of a box safety. He plays with aggression, strong hands to jam and suffocate releases, and excellent positioning in the catch point while showing discipline in zone coverage. His athleticism and frame allow him to match up against bigger receivers, and he brings plus run support and tackling ability. Hood has shut down top college wideouts and produced interceptions/PBUs while playing with tenacity and football IQ.

Landing Hood in the second round gives Miami a tough, scheme-versatile corner who can contribute right away in man or zone looks. He bolsters the secondary with competitive physicality and starter upside, outstanding value at No. 30 for a player who profiles as a potential long-term boundary or slot option.

43. Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

Emmanuel Pregnon is a prototypical power guard at 6’4¼”, 314 pounds with long arms, massive hands, and elite lower-body strength. A multi-year, ultra-durable starter, he excels as a downhill mauler who resets the line of scrimmage in the run game, generates displacement on angle blocks, and anchors effectively against bull rushes in pass protection. He picks up stunts well and plays with violent hands and a finishing mentality, though he is an older prospect (turning 25 as a rookie).

This pick strengthens the Dolphins’ interior offensive line with a reliable, plug-and-play run blocker who fits both power and zone concepts. At No. 43, Pregnon offers strong mid-round value as a potential immediate starter or high-level rotational piece with plus physical tools.

Pregnon would ensure that last year’s second round pick Jonah Savaiinea has adequate competition.

75. Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

Bryce Lance (brother of former NFL QB Trey Lance) is an explosive, big-play wide receiver with outstanding size (around 6’3″, 204 pounds), elite athletic testing, and dynamic vertical ability. He tracks the ball exceptionally well downfield, wins contested catches, and creates separation with speed and route savvy. Despite coming from the FCS level, his production, ball skills, and after-the-catch potential translate well, giving him X-receiver traits and red-zone threat upside.

For Miami, Lance adds much-needed vertical speed and big-play ability to the receiving corps at a great spot in the third round. He would immediately be the first big body downfield threat receiver the Dolphins have had since DeVante Parker and poses great upside. He averaged over 20 yards per catch this past season and ran a 4.34, while showcasing good hands, and elite athleticism.

87. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina

Jalon Kilgore is a versatile, big-bodied defensive back (6’1″, 210 pounds) with long arms, explosive athleticism, and experience playing outside corner, nickel/slot, and safety. He brings strong ball production (8 interceptions), physical tackling in run support, and the ability to match tight ends or bigger slots in man coverage. His size, range, and football intelligence make him a plug-and-play option in multiple defensive schemes.

Drafted late in Day 2, Kilgore adds valuable depth and positional flexibility to the Dolphins’ secondary. He has the traits to become a plus starter or do-it-all contributor in sub packages, a smart selection at No. 87 for a player with high athletic upside and scheme versatility.

90. Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee

Another Tennessee kid, Joshua Josephs brings rare length and athleticism to the edge at 6’3″, 242 pounds with an impressive wingspan. He uses his arms to disrupt runs, create pressure with burst and closing speed, and shows effort in pursuit. While his pass-rush plan can be refined and he needs to add functional strength against the run, he has produced TFLs and sacks with developmental tools that point to rotational upside.

At No. 90, this pick gives the Dolphins athletic edge depth and pass-rush potential to rotate with their front. Josephs fits as a high-motor contributor who can play on all three downs. With Chop Robinson needing to prove himself this year, Josephs can come in right away to help a weakened Dolphins pass rush.

94. Justin Joly, TE, NC State

Justin Joly is a reliable, well-rounded tight end (6’3½”, 241 pounds) with strong hands, a solid catch radius, and route-running awareness. A productive player who posted career-best numbers in recent seasons, he excels as a security blanket in the short-to-intermediate game and adds value as a blocker and after-catch mover. His workmanlike approach and versatility (including H-back alignments) make him a dependable piece.

While Miami resigned Greg Dulchich (a great move) drafting a young, second tight end who can develop as Miami starts this new era, will be huge in their future success. Joly’s QB’s posted a 102.5 passer rating when targeting him.

Joly also had a top-30 visit with Miami.

130. Charlie Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin

Charlie Demmings is a lengthy, athletic corner from the FCS ranks (6’1″, 193 pounds) with strong production, including all-conference honors, interceptions, and pass breakups. He offers ideal frame and movement skills for boundary work and tested well pre-draft, giving him developmental upside as a small-school prospect with special-teams potential.

At No. 130, Demmings is a classic Day 3 flier who brings lottery-ticket athleticism and depth to Miami’s secondary. He could carve out a roster spot through coverage ability and Miami’s overall lack of talent at the position.

Longer, more physical corners are liked by new head coach Jeff Hafley.

Demmings was ranked fifth at the combine in Athleticism Score at 81.

151. Matt Gulbin, OC, Michigan State

Matt Gulbin is a tough, experienced interior offensive lineman/center (around 6’3⅝”, 305 pounds) with starting reps at guard and center. He wins with power, leg drive in the run game, combo blocking to the second level, and solid anchoring in pass protection. While his length and lateral quickness are average, his strength, football IQ, and reliability make him a dependable depth option.

This pick bolsters the Dolphins’ offensive line depth at center/guard with a gritty, scheme-versatile veteran presence.

Gulbin is an old school offensive linemen who would provide great depth and leadership, he was the team captain at Michigan State, even though he was only there for one year.

He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and was graded by PFF as the No. 2 center in the FBS, with the top run-blocking grade at the position nationally.

227. Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana

Jaden Dugger is an oversized, athletic linebacker (nearly 6’5″, 242–250 pounds) with exceptional arm length and testing numbers from the Ragin’ Cajuns. A productive tackler with sideline-to-sideline range and untapped pass-rush potential, he brings rare physical tools and high developmental upside as a late-round sleeper who can also help on special teams.

In the seventh round, Dugger is a high-upside flier for Miami’s linebacker group. His size and athleticism give him the chance to grow into a contributor, intriguing value at No. 227 for a raw but physically gifted prospect.

Dugger was voted the top player at the East vs West Shrin Bowl and recorded 125 tackles last season. A player who has great instincts for tackling would get to learn from Jordyn Brooks, a great tackler in himself.

2025: First-team All-Sun Belt Conference. Led team with 125 tackles. Started all 13 games (13 TFLs with 4 sacks, INT, 3 PBUs, FF).

238. CJ Daniels, WR, Miami (FL)

CJ Daniels is a steady 6’2″, 202-pound outside receiver who transferred to Miami after stops at Liberty and LSU. He wins with good size, reliable ball skills in contested situations, and a willing blocking mentality. While not the most explosive, he serves as a dependable chain-mover and adds special-teams versatility.

As the final pick at No. 238, Daniels brings local familiarity and competition to the Dolphins’ wide receiver room. He profiles as a depth piece with roster potential, solid late-round value to round out the class.

I chose not to go with a quarterback as the Dolphins will likely be busy in the UDFA market, the options at each pick also weren’t the best.

Miami Dolphins Top 30 visits:

• Denzel Boston
• Makai Lemon
• Mansoor DeLane
• Ty Simpson
• AJ Haulcy
• Kaelon Black
• Christen Miller
• R Mason Thomas
• Justin Joly
• Zion Young
• Kayden McDonald
• KC Concepcion
• Jordan Hudson
• Hezekiah Masses
• Treydan Stukes
• Ted Hurst
• Taylen Green
• Le’Veon Moss
• Charles Demmings
• Travis Burke
• Several Canes and former SoFlo HS prospects counted as Local Visits

Other Notes and Opinions

• Miami should consider trading down with either first round pick, especially if they receive an offer they can’t pass up.
• I am really high on Ted Hurst
• Is there any chance Bain or Styles fall to 11?
• Will they stay true to “building from the inside-out”