ESPN’s new 3-round mock draft highlights one of the Dolphins’ biggest risks of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Miami Dolphins’ early strategy will be critical to addressing one spot in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s that time of year where every new day seems to bring a new mock draft. The content is welcomed for Miami Dolphins fans. After all, the multiverse of draft picks can be immense when a team is making seven picks in the top-100.
But ESPN’s latest collaborative mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, which includes contributions from analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates, Jordan Reid, and Matt Miller? It serves as an embodiment of one of the worst case scenarios for Miami early on. That is, in many ways, exactly why you do mock drafts: to see the trickle down effect of your decisions play out ahead of time. Count me out on this hypothetical class for the Dolphins for one big reason.
ESPN’s latest 2026 mock draft highlights the risk the Dolphins would take if they wait to draft an offensive lineman
I won’t include the entire mock draft haul for the Dolphins here. You can read the full mock draft for yourself. But here’s what you need to know up front. The Dolphins passed on offensive linemen at both picks No. 11 and 30 in favor of perimeter players. Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil Warren got the call in the first round. The scraps that were left over as a result by the time the 43rd overall pick came on the board? They could best be described as “unsettling”.
The Dolphins drafted the 10th offensive lineman of the class with the pick at No. 43 overall. Utah left Caleb Lomu got the call there. He’s a 6-foot-6, 313 pound natural left tackle with 32 career snaps in college on the right side of the line.
With the presence of Patrick Paul at left tackle, the drafting of Lomu becomes a complicated and risky for Miami. Forcing him to convert to the right side creates an added layer of unknown. And what’s more is his complete lack of experience playing inside at guard. Miami is likely hoping they can tap into in 2026 while Austin Jackson remains.
Who was left on the table earlier?
There were several other options for Miami’s decision at both of the first round picks that could have avoided trying to make an awkward fit work, including Lomu’s teammate at Utah, Spencer Fano (drafted 19th), Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane (drafted 21st), and a trio of offensive linemen who came off the board in picks 38-40.
That trio included Clemson’s Blake Miller, Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis, and Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon.
At the end of the day, it is just a mock draft. But it is also a warning and an important visualization for Miami. If they choose to use their deluxe draft capital elsewhere, they’d better be sure that one of these top linemen will make it to pick No. 43. If not, the Dolphins may be forced to reach and attempt to make a square peg fit into a round hole.
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