MIAMI – Tonight, in Pittsburgh, the Miami Dolphins step into the spotlight of the 2026 NFL Draft with something they haven’t had in years: real ammunition. Eleven picks. Two in the first round. Seven inside the top 100. It’s a war chest that new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley will use to reshape the franchise from top to bottom. The fire sale is over. The rebuild begins now.
The Full Arsenal: Miami’s 2026 Draft Picks
Here’s the breakdown of what the Dolphins are working with this weekend:
| Round | Pick | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | #11 | Miami’s own |
| Round 1 | #30 | From Denver (Waddle trade) |
| Round 2 | #43 | Miami’s own |
| Round 3 | #75 | Miami’s own |
| Round 3 | #87 | From Philadelphia (Phillips trade) |
| Round 3 | #90 | From Houston |
| Round 3 | #94 | From Denver (Waddle trade) |
| Round 4 | #130 | From Denver (Waddle trade) |
| Round 5 | #151 | Miami’s own |
| Round 7 | #227 | Miami’s own |
| Round 7 | #238 | From LA Chargers via Tennessee/NY Jets |
The Jaylen Waddle trade alone netted Miami three extra picks (#30, #94, #130). Add in the Jaelan Phillips trade to Philadelphia, and you’ve got a team armed to the teeth with draft capital. This is what a full-scale rebuild looks like.
The 5 Biggest Needs — Ranked
1. Cornerback — The Top Priority
Let’s be blunt: Miami’s secondary was a disaster in 2025. Injuries ravaged the unit, with seven defensive backs finishing the season on injured reserve. Free agency didn’t help, either:
- Gone: CB Kader Kohou, CB Jack Jones, S Elijah Campbell
- Traded: S Minkah Fitzpatrick (to the Jets, March 11, 2026)
- Unsigned: S Ashtyn Davis, S Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB Artie Burns, CB Rasul Douglas
What’s left on the roster? A mix of unproven talent and question marks. The Dolphins desperately need reinforcements, and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane is the consensus target at pick #11. Don’t be surprised if Miami doubles down and grabs another DB early.
2. Edge Rusher — Chop Robinson Needs Help
The Dolphins’ edge rush took a major hit this offseason.
- Jaelan Phillips: Traded to Philadelphia, signed with Carolina in free agency.
- Bradley Chubb: Released, signed with Buffalo.
That leaves Chop Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick, as the lone starter. But Robinson struggled in 2025, managing just four sacks.
Miami added depth in free agency — Robert Beal Jr., Davis Ojabbo, and Joshua Uche — but none of them are reliable No. 2 options. The Dolphins need a difference-maker opposite Robinson, and the draft is their best chance to find one.
3. Offensive Line — Still a Work in Progress
The offensive line has been a perennial issue in Miami, and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Two players to watch:
- Jonah Savaiinaea: The 2025 second-round pick struggled as a rookie, but he was playing out of position. Year 2 could be a breakout.
- Austin Jackson: A solid right tackle when healthy — emphasis on “when healthy.”
Miami needs a versatile lineman who can compete for a starting spot immediately and provide insurance for Jackson. A center prospect to eventually replace Aaron Brewer (in the final year of his contract) would also make sense.
4. Wide Receiver — Malik Willis Needs Weapons
In 2023, Miami had the NFL’s top offense, led by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Fast forward to 2026, and both are gone.
What’s left? Tutu Atwell, AJ Henning, Terrace Marshall Jr., Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington, and Theo Wease Jr. — with Washington penciled in as WR1.
Malik Willis is being handed the keys to this offense. He deserves at least one legitimate weapon, and USC’s Makai Lemon could be the answer at #11 or #30.
5. Safety — Help Needed on the Backend
If cornerback is Miami’s top priority, safety is a close second. With Minkah Fitzpatrick gone and Elijah Campbell unsigned, the Dolphins are dangerously thin at the position.
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is the name to watch here. Downs is a versatile, high-IQ safety who fits perfectly into Jeff Hafley’s defensive system. Hafley’s success with Xavier McKinney in Green Bay proves he knows how to maximize talent at this position, and Downs could be his next project.
Mock Draft Consensus: What Are Experts Predicting?
| Expert | Pick #11 | Pick #30 |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Schad | Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU) | Trade down |
| Hal Habib | Spencer Fano (OT, Utah) | Zion Young (Edge, Missouri) |
| Nate Davis | Makai Lemon (WR, USC) | Blake Miller (OT, Clemson) |
Cornerback and wide receiver are the consensus picks at #11, but Miami could pivot to edge rusher or offensive tackle depending on how the board shakes out.
Bottom Line
The Miami Dolphins enter the 2026 NFL Draft with more capital than they’ve had in years. Eleven picks. Two first-rounders. Seven selections in the top 100. GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley know what’s at stake — this draft isn’t just about filling holes; it’s about building the foundation for the next great Dolphins team.
The needs are clear: cornerback, pass rush, offensive line, receiver, safety. The mission is simple: get it right.
Draft coverage begins tonight at 8 PM ET on ESPN and NFL Network.
Sources:
— Palm Beach Post: Dolphins Draft Picks Today, 2026 NFL Draft Order, April 23, 2026
— Yahoo Sports / USA TODAY: Miami Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft: Picks by Round, Biggest Needs
— Spotrac: Miami Dolphins Draft Picks & Trade History
— The Phinsider: 2026 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins Needs
