The Miami Dolphins have a new sheriff in town. The hiring of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan sets the stage for a dramatic shift in how Miami goes about allocating talent for its football team. The 2026 season will serve as a foundation for what is to come. And if it’s done right, the 2026 NFL Draft could provide a major influx of young talent into the mix.

But what should we expect? Miami still obviously needs to secure a head coach and push forward with a vision. But there are a few trends in how the Green Bay Packers have used their draft capital that could offer clues for how Sullivan could go about his business in the draft.

Let’s explore a simulated three-round 2026 NFL mock draft and apply the trends of Green Bay’s draft picks to assemble a class.

Miami Dolphins 2026 3-round NFL mock draft with Packers draft trends

Round 1, pick 11– Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State Buckeyes

You think the Packers give a hoot about positional value norms? They care about finding impactful defensive players, which is why they paid SAF Xavier McKinney handsomely in free agency to come to Green Bay. It’s why they’ve drafted names like LB Quay Walker, DT Devonte Wyatt, and DT Kenny Clark in the first rounds of drafts.

They’ve gone with LB Edgerrin Cooper in the top-50 and drafted a nickel DB, Javon Bullard, in the second round, too. Shoot, they went with safeties in consecutive first rounds in 2014 and 2015. Green Bay has loved using its marquee picks on the defensive side of the ball, and Downs was the best available defender when I ran my NFL Draft simulator of choice.

Round 2, pick 43 – Akheem Mesidoor, EDGE, Miami Hurricanes

The Packers have invested 12 picks into their front seven (EDGEs, DTs, and LBs) since 2022, when Sullivan took over as the VP of Player Personnel in Green Bay. The 2025 surge on defensive tackles should help Miami take some pressure off of volume inside, although, depending on the scheme Miami lands on, they could ultimately need a penetration player in that role.

As is, getting more power and juice on the edge is something that Miami sorely needs, and Mesidoor brings it in bunches.

Round 3, pick 75 – Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri Tigers

You remember what we said about the front seven investments, right? Yeah, let’s keep that rolling. Tyrel Dodson had an up-and-down season in 2025 opposite Jordyn Brooks, and the Dolphins could use some more sturdy middle-of-the-field play on defense.

Between Trotter and Downs, Miami has added a couple of strong tacklers with high IQ and range to play on defense. Expect Trotter to be a name that rises — this tape is a lot of fun in all phases of the position.

Round 3, pick 87 – Kage Casey, OT, Boise State Broncos

Another certainty of the Packers school of thought in the draft is that you will get an offensive lineman in the top-100. In recent years, the Packers have logged the following picks in the first three rounds:

– OL Anthony Belton, 54th overall (2025)
– OL Jordan Morgan, 25th overall (2024)
– OG Sean Rhyan, 93rd overall (2022)
– C Josh Myers, 62nd overall (2021)

While also hitting on Rasheed Walker (seventh round) and Zach Tom (fourth round) in the same period of time. Oh, by the way, they paid handsomely for OG Aaron Banks in free agency this past offseason, too.

Rest assured, they are now as worried about the offensive line in the front office as you are. Casey is a three-year starter at left tackle, but played at right tackle during his freshman season, giving Miami someone to potentially claim the right tackle spot for the future.

Round 3, pick 90 – Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State

There have been lots of tight end investments, too. Rejoice!

The Packers double-dipped on Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft in the top-100 of the 2023 NFL Draft and then used third-round picks on Josiah Deguara and Jace Sternberger earlier in 2019/2020. Joly is a big-bodied receiving threat with good body control and strong hands. If you liked what Darren Waller brought, consider Joly for that kind of role. I’m not saying he’s as dynamic as Waller was or is, but the body type and usage can overlap.

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