Three 2026 NFL Draft prospects the Dolphins should root to see picked before Miami’s first selection at No. 11

Three prospects we should hope to see go top-10.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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The Miami Dolphins aren’t really in the business to be thumbing their nose at any prospects from the NFL Draft.

Miami’s roster is in need of a massive infusion of talent, which leaves few things off the table when it comes to determining fits for the Dolphins. But in the quest to get the best possible value from their first pick, currently scheduled for 11th overall, Miami does have some rooting interests to see things play out a certain way in the top-10. Here are three 2026 NFL Draft prospects the Dolphins should be hoping to see come off the board before their first pick.

Three 2026 NFL Draft prospects the Dolphins should root to see go in the top-10

Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama Crimson Tide

I don’t even say this through the lens of “Proctor isn’t a player I don’t want the Dolphins to draft”. His presence just presents a math problem for the Dolphins. Patrick Paul is, definitively, a left tackle. And Proctor has been, thus far in his career, a left tackle. Proctor is a name that’s starting to get some buzz but if any of the tackle-hungry teams see him as the best pure left tackle on the board, perhaps he could go in a range that would push someone else down towards Miami’s pick.

I think Proctor will be a good player. And the Dolphins have needs on the offensive line. But I’d also prefer to see Proctor go where he can stay at left tackle — and see Miami pick someone who can keep Paul in his current position. If that happens in Cleveland (6th overall)? That’d be a dream for Miami.

Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates scoring against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates scoring against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Love is one of my top-4 players in this year’s class, so let’s not make this about whether or not Love is a star in the making. He is. The Dolphins, with their current makeup, are not a team that should be entertaining a running back with their top draft choice. The worst case scenario would be seeing Love fall out of the top-10 and allowing another player at a position that may be of priority to Miami go instead. In that scenario having Love on the board at No. 11 as the “best player available” feels hollow and like a questionable decision.

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium.
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama Crimson Tide

Cleveland at 6? The Rams trading up from 13th overall? The Jets moving from from No. 16? Pittsburgh making the leap all the way from 21st?

Miami doesn’t have official proof of concept for their quarterback situation, but someone else being aggressive amid the scarcity in 2026 at the position would create a domino effect that almost assuredly spills a good player into the Dolphins’ lap. It’s generally accepted that Simpson isn’t going super early. But if someone gets antsy to go get their guy in the top-10, the Dolphins would be a primary beneficiary of that development.

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