Dolphins 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: The Dolphins could choose to double-dip on two major needs this April

This draft is strong in several areas the Dolphins need it to be.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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The Miami Dolphins are currently a bit of a mystery to project.

There’s new management. New coaching. Sure to be new players. Almost assuredly a new quarterback. What will this team look like in 2026? Your guess is as good as mine. You can try to apply the history of Jon-Eric Sullivan‘s learned experiences in the NFL Draft from his time in Green Bay, just like you can try to heed Jeff Hafley‘s words as context clues for what comes next. And so here’s another guess of what the Dolphins’ 2026 NFL Draft haul could look like for a pivotal first spring for Sullivan, Hafley, and company.

Miami Dolphins 2026 7-round NFL mock draft lands double dips on the offensive line and on the edge

Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field.
Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Cashius Howell (9) reacts after a defensive play during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Round 1, pick 11 – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

If the Dolphins end up leaning into a ‘wide nine’ front frequently under Hafley, it would be great news for Chop Robinson. It would also dramatically boost the appeal of adding another speed demon off the edge to play opposite him. Holy smokes, is Howell fun to watch rush the corner. After three successful seasons at Bowling Green, he’s been a constant pest for opposing quarterbacks in the SEC. There are, rightfully, questions about his length. But his speed and disruption ability are elite, and his pass-rush profile is prolific. Few teams would stress opposing offensive tackles’ angles more if Miami leaned into the speed rush of Robinson & Howell.

Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) follows offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) block down field against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium.
Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) follows offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) block down field against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Alexander Hicks-Imagn Images

Round 2, pick 43 – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Austin Jackson is owed more than $10 million in salary in 2026. He’s in a contract year and has missed at least half of each of the last two seasons in Miami. He’s very much a trade or cut candidate for the Dolphins as a result and, boy, would it be nice to get another option at that spot early in the draft. I am a huge fan of Miller’s game and believe he’s one of the more underrated offensive line prospects in this year’s draft. Miller profiles well in both gap & zone schemes and has been a strong pass protector in the last two seasons at Clemson, where he’s conceded just 25 pressures in over 1,100 snaps. He’s a natural right tackle, too — so there’s no conflict with budding left tackle Patrick Paul.

Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Kentucky Wildcats offensive lineman Jalen Farmer (52) blocks Mississippi Rebels linebacker TJ Dottery (6) during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Round 3, pick 75 – Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky

You know how I just got done saying Blake Miller is one of the more underrated offensive line prospects in this year’s class? Meet another one. Farmer is a big, strong, mauler at guard. He doesn’t offer positional flexibility, and he’s guilty of being overaggressive at times, but I have a hard time not seeing his floor clocking in as a sufficient starter in the NFL. The displacement ability, strong hands, wide edges, and length make for a hell of a mix. If the Dolphins can pull this off, they’d be toting a whole new right side of the offensive line to go with an All-Pro center and youngsters on the left side in Paul and 2025 second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea.

Nov 1, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears tight end Michael Trigg (1) catches a touchdown pass as UCF Knights defensive back Braeden Marshall (4) defends during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Nov 1, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears tight end Michael Trigg (1) catches a touchdown pass as UCF Knights defensive back Braeden Marshall (4) defends during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Round 3, pick 87 – Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor

Consider this selection from two angles: first, the multi-tight end packages have the league buzzing after 2025. Trigg, along with whichever tight end Miami brings back from the 2025 roster (Julian Hill? Greg Dulcich?), would offer ample athleticism and, potentially, complementary skills. The other part of this selection is value. Trigg is a prolific pass catcher in the form of a flex weapon that can move around the formation. He can get up the seam in a hurry and help space the field from the slot, as well.

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) runs for a gain before being pushed out of bounds by Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) in a play that was overturned by video review during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium.
Memphis’ Marcello Bussey (6) has the ball pulled out of his hands by Arkansas’ Julian Neal (23) during the game between Memphis and Arkansas at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on September 20, 2025.Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Round 3, pick 90 – Zakee Wheatley, SAF, Penn State

Wheatley is, in my opinion, one of those well-rounded, do-it-all options at safety. He’s a good tackler who plays effectively in run support. He’s able to play in the nickel (nearly 300 snaps there over the last three seasons), on the second level (over 400 snaps there the last two seasons), and deep in split-field coverages. Ideally, the ball production would be stronger. But Wheatley is a steady presence in all phases regardless.

Kansas City Chiefs Senior Bowl draft defensive standouts Nadame Tucker
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National Team outside linebacker Nadame Tucker (11) of Western Michigan practices during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn ImagesVasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Round 4, pick 111 – Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan

Folks, we got a live one here. Tucker came in at the Senior Bowl weighing in at 6-foot-2 and 246 pounds with 32 1/8″ arms. He’ll meet baseline size thresholds, but he’s not a “big” pass rusher. He’s also from a small school. But you know what else he is? A pain in the ass to block. Ask the offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl and ask the blockers who tried to stonewall him during his breakout 2025 season with Western Michigan. Tucker spent several seasons at Houston before landing with the Broncos in 2025, where he posted 14.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss to go along with 61 total pressures. His pass rush win rate was over 28%! And again, this is paired with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. If Miami wants to seriously lean into the speed/penetration fronts under Hafley, this kind of double dip would certainly give them options to throw out there and attack the quarterback.

Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley (20) tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton (9) in the first half at Folsom Field.
Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes linebacker LaVonta Bentley (20) tackles North Dakota State Bison quarterback Cole Payton (9) in the first half at Folsom Field. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5, pick 149 – Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

Speaking of quarterbacks, Miami’s situation behind center is very much in flux. Tua Tagovailoa is on rocky ground at best, if he’s not already gone. And it’s probably not realistic to expect the team to find a long-term answer this offseason unless they land Malik Willis in free agency and catch lightning in a bottle. But here’s what we know about Jon-Eric Sullivan. He’s promised to keep hacking. As many times as it takes. Accordingly, Miami is probably a safe bet to get someone to compete at quarterback. Payton has a strong arm, good athleticism, and is one of several Day 3 wildcards at quarterback this year.

Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) rushes against Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive end Ben Roberts (13) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Round 7, pick 227 – Chase Roberts, WR, BYU

Everybody loves a little Day 3 size at wide receiver, right? Roberts is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, and enjoyed a productive career at BYU. Roberts posted over 800 receiving yards in each of his final two seasons with the Cougars and has the size and physicality to offer value as a blocker and on special teams.

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