2026 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins needs

2. Edge

Miami traded 2021 first-round pick Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2025 season, then saw him sign a four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent. They also moved on from Bradley Chubb this offseason, releasing the veteran who signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. Two of Miami’s top edge rushers entering 2025 are no longer with the team heading into 2026, leaving 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson at the top of the depth chart. Robinson regressed in 2025, finishing the year with just four sacks. He has to step up in 2026 as the team looks to him to be their primary pass rusher. But, he is going to need help. The team signed Robert Beal, Jr., Davis Ojabbo, and Joshua Uche in free agency to provide options. The best way to help your secondary – where the team might be relying on rookie cornerbacks – is to get into the face of the opposing quarterback. Adding an edge rusher seems like a massive need for Miami.

3. Offensive Line

The Dolphins offensive line feels like it has been a work in progress for the past 473 years. It is the one area of the roster that is discussed every season. That said, a couple of years ago, the line started to come together, but it is definitely a work in progress again this year. Last year’s second-round pick, guard Jonah Savaiinaea, disappointed – but was also playing out of position on the opposite side of the line from his college role and was only a rookie who needed time to get up to the speed of the game. We could see him take a step foward this year. Right tackle Austin Jackson is a solid member of the line who can be dominating at times. He is absolutely a starting-caliber right tackle in the league, when he is on the field. When he is healthy, Miami can trust Jackson to anchor the right side of the line, and he could come into this year in the best shape and health of his career. But “could” is the keyword for both of those paragraphs. The Dolphins need to make sure they have a solid offensive line, not one relying on growth and “could”. Drafting an offensive tackle who can play inside at guard might be the best move for the team this year. Let the rookie compete as a starter inside while serving as the backup to Jackson at right tackle. Then have him in place in case Jackson does not return after the 2026 season. They could also look to add a player who could be a backup center, moving him out to guard and grooming him to replace Aaron Brewer if the veteran does not re-sign with the team as he enters the final year of his contract this season.

4. Wide Receiver

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are gone, ending the flash-in-a-pan that was Miami’s high-octane offense in 2023. The Dolphins’ rostered wide receivers are Tutu Atwell, AJ Henning, Terrace Marshall, Jr., Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington, and Theo Wease, Jr. There are solid players there who can be trusted to make plays when needed, but the Dolphins may need to look to add a number one option at some point this year. An early-round wide receiver (or even tight end) could be in the cards for Miami.

5. Safety

If you copy and paste the cornerback discussion down here at safety, it is basically the exact same justification. Miami’s secondary has to be retooled this offseason and adding a safety to lock down the backend of the defense would be a great start.