One top NFL Draft analyst seems to think the Dolphins will have a shot at a blue chip player with pick No. 11
Let’s hope so…
The Miami Dolphins‘ plans for the 2026 NFL Draft shouldn’t be ruled by the need at any one position on the roster.
But it should be aware of a few spots that (desperately) need more bodies for this upcoming season. One such position is at safety, where Miami bid farewell to Minkah Fitzpatrick and now has a few special teamers paired with second-year player Dante Trader Jr. The top option in the 2026 NFL Draft at the position, Caleb Downs of Ohio State, has been a staple in the top-10 of mock drafts — firmly placing him out of Miami’s range. But one prominent NFL Draft analyst seems to think Miami (and potentially others outside the top-10) will ultimately get a shot at him.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah thinks the Dolphins will get a crack at safety Caleb Downs in the 2026 NFL Draft
“I think historically, when I — look, I call the Chargers games as my little side gig. If you’d have told me before that draft and being on the set that Derwin James was gonna fall to I believe 17, Kyle Hamilton fell to 14, Nick Emmanwori was my 15th or 16th player and fell to the second round. Weird stuff happens and the safety position, I don’t agree with it, has been pushed down to some degree. And then with Downs, you’re looking at someone who’s not big, he’s under six feet, he’s a little over 200 pounds, he’s got short arms. He doesn’t have a ton of splash plays…look I have Downs as my top safety, then McNeil-Warren, then Thieneman. But the fact that we’ve seen safeties historically drop a little bit…I think he’s more likely to go 10 to 20 than he is to go in the top-10.”
— NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs’ 2026 NFL Draft outlook
Daniel Jeremiah was speaking to 105.3 The Fan about the Cowboys’ outlook at No. 12 overall, but that obviously applies to Miami at No. 11 as well. Circle up and hold hands, friends. We’re manifesting this to become reality. Because if it does come to pass, Miami would have a hard time being the team to gobble up Downs when you assess the team’s current safety situation. We should all be intrigued to see more of Dante Trader Jr. — but Downs could be the glue to the room for head coach Jeff Hafley’s safety room. I, for one, would love to have that option on the board.
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