Under the radar 2026 NFL Draft gems that the Miami Dolphins should be eyeing late in this week’s action
There has been no shortage of speculation on what the Miami Dolphins should be doing with their early draft selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. But what names should we be keeping an eye on as potential gems for later?
There’s been plenty of focus about what the Miami Dolphins should do early in the 2026 NFL Draft. But what about what happens later in the week? The Dolphins’ roster is well positioned to accommodate all kinds of prospects for playing time. Including those who get their name called late in the draft.
Here are three late-round Miami Dolphins potential NFL Draft gems to know.
Three 2026 NFL Draft late-round gems for the Miami Dolphins to target
Washington CB Ephesians Prysock – 6-foot-3, 196 pounds
Prysock almost feels like he’s destined to be a package deal with fellow Washington corner Tacario Davis at this point. Both transferred from Arizona, and both offer stellar size and length at the cornerback position. Prysock is generally projected as a Mid-Day 3 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft but given Miami’s theme this offseason of stacking up long, physical cornerbacks? Adding one more may be a logical move.
Penalties have been an issue over the last two years but it highlights how physical he is as a player. If Miami want’s another developmental corner who profiles well in press, that’s where he has shined most. And he has been fair in zone, too — where his length helps offset some of his transitional lag in space. Building a defense out from scratch could afford the Dolphins a uniquely good opportunity for him to have his skills maximized.
Indiana TE/FB Riley Nowakowski – 6-foot-2, 250 pounds
The Dolphins currently don’t have a fullback but are expected to run a similar offensive scheme to the one that has populated South Florida for the last four years under Mike McDaniel. Veteran fullback Alec Ingold is off to Los Angeles, following McDaniel to the Chargers. And that leaves a wide open vacancy for the role on the depth chart.
Nowakowski is a no-doubt option for the position if Miami can get their hands on him. He’s a former linebacker and fullback who played tight end for the Hoosiers — he’s as blue collar and unselfish as they come as a player. And boy, does he blow guys off the point of attack. Nowakowski is a stellar option to put depth in the tight end room and fill the fullback opening.
Georgia Tech DT Jordan van den Berg – 6-foot-3, 310 pounds
I put van den Berg in my final 2026 7-round mock draft for the Miami Dolphins this week on the heels of an electric Pro Day that had several numbers that would have done laps around the rest of the defensive tackles in this year’s class. Miami has long-term spots for the taking in every position room on the roster. This former Penn State product? He has elite tools and is worth a shot despite playing defensive tackle.
The flashes are pretty damn good, too. But his journey’s been an irregular one. van den Berg moved to the States in his adolescence and was a linebacker out of high school with 0 stars as a recruit. He eventually landed with Penn State and then Georgia Tech after stacking on a bunch of extra weight. He’s sustained his athleticism through it all. And now? He’s a fascinating late-round draft target for someone. Why not the Miami Dolphins?
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