All-American DB has become a player to watch for Dolphins in NFL draft

The 2026 NFL draft is just days away, and the Miami Dolphins currently own 11 picks. While there are needs all over the field, the defensive backfield will certainly be an area Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will focus on. Rookie head coach Jeff Hafley is a former defensive backs coach and tends to have his own “type” of players in the secondary.

Height and length are important, as well as being versatile in scheme and area of the field. One defensive back fans should know before the draft is Treydan Stukes out of Arizona. Good size, speed, positional flexibility, and leadership are all characteristics Stukes possesses. A team captain with great character, Stukes has elite speed, with a 4.33-second 40-time.

He performed well at the NFL Scouting Combine, finishing fifth at the safety position in Athleticism Score while having the third-best 40-yard dash in the group and the second-best 10-yard split. Being mocked to the Dolphins as early as their second pick, Stukes could play cornerback or safety in the NFL, and he excels in zone coverage. He can be a perfect nickel for Hafley’s scheme, while also being able to be a potential split safety.

Stukes displayed quality ball skills with 29 passes defensed and seven interceptions during his college career, while playing several roles on special teams, which adds to his versatility coveted by Sullivan and Hafley. Stukes is adept at a variety of coverage schemes and played a lot of Cover 1 and Cover 3 at Arizona while also showing the ability to handle Cover 2 at safety.

Although he fits the Hafley mold well, there are some concerns. including a 2024 ACL injury and his age (24 when the season starts). Sullivan has hinted that players with injury concerns may not be on his draft list, yet Stukes returned to the field in 2025 and had a fine year. Last season with Arizona, he didn't give up a touchdown and picked off four passes.

Since his final collegiate season ended, Stukes’ stock has increased considerably. Per Mock Draft Database, he was being selected around the 120 mark, yet has been taken as high as the end of the first round in some projections and expert mocks. He's ranked as the 56th player and projected in the second round, per the database.