MIAMI — The Dolphins stripped the roster to the floorboards this spring. After moving on from Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle, Miami enters the 2026 NFL Draft with 11 total picks and a clear directive: build a fortress around new QB1 Malik Willis. The rebuild officially begins on April 23, and with two first-round selections, the front office has no room for error.
The Capital: Reloading Through the Waddle Trade
Miami’s draft board looks vastly different than it did a year ago. Trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos didn’t just hurt the heart of the fanbase; it filled the war chest. The Dolphins now own pick number 11 and pick number 30 in the first round alone. General Manager Chris Grier has four selections within the first 90 picks, a rare opportunity to plug the massive gaps left by the departure of Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick. This isn’t a minor tune-up. It is a complete structural overhaul.
Top Targets: Replacing the Cheetah
The receiver room is a ghost town. While free-agent additions Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell provide veteran snaps, neither scares a defensive coordinator. Willis needs a primary target who can win vertically. Ohio State’s Carnell Tate is the name echoing through the halls of the Dolphins’ facility. Tate offers the 4.3 speed necessary to mimic the deep-threat pressure Hill once provided. If Tate is gone by 11, look for Miami to eye Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson later in the evening. Willis proved he can lead a huddle, but he can’t throw to himself.
- Wide Receiver: Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Makai Lemon (USC)
- Edge Rusher: T.J. Parker (Clemson), Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
- Offensive Tackle: Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)
“We aren’t looking at this as a five-year plan. We have the picks to get fast, physical, and mean right now. Malik is our guy, and we’re going to give him the tools to win this division.”
— Jeff Hafley, Dolphins Head Coach
Defensive Identity Under Hafley
Coach Jeff Hafley wants a press-heavy, man-to-man secondary. That vision crumbled when Jalen Ramsey left, leaving a void at cornerback that 2025 picks haven’t filled. Mansoor Delane out of LSU fits the physical profile Hafley demands. He’s a lanky, aggressive corner who thrives on the island. On the edge, Chop Robinson needs a partner. The additions of David Ojabo and Josh Uche are temporary fixes. Miami needs a foundational pass rusher, and with the 30th pick, they might find value in a sliding talent like Zion Young to restore the teeth to this defense.
