The Miami Dolphins have two first-round picks in the upcoming NFL draft after trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos. They aim to rebuild for the 2026 season by selecting young talent to enhance both their offense and defense.
Key points
Miami Dolphins have two first-round picks in the NFL draft
Dolphins traded Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos for pick No. 30
Team is entering a rebuild for the 2026 season
Dolphins signed quarterback Malik Willis in free agency
Five potential ways to utilize the first-round picks
There are six teams in the NFL who enter Thursday night with two first-round picks, and one of them is the Miami Dolphins.
After hiring a new regime in the offseason, the Dolphins traded wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos for pick No. 30 overall, giving Miami seven picks in the top 100 this year. The Dolphins are entering a bit of a rebuild, so they need all the young talent they can get for the 2026 season.
There are many ways in which the Dolphins could use those two picks to improve their team on both offense and defense. Miami did sign quarterback Malik Willis in free agency, so the team will build around the former Green Bay Packers backup moving forward.
Here are five ways that the Dolphins can use their two first-round picks on Thursday night.
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Ranking 5 best combinations for Dolphins Round 1 selections
1. Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 11) and Clemson CB Avieon Terrell (No. 30)
While offensive tackle is not the Dolphins most pressing need, Francis Mauigoa is such great fit to stay in Miami. The Hurricanes star would give the Dolphins a longterm option at either tackle spot along with flexibility on the interior as well.
With their second pick of the first round, the Dolphins address their biggest need on defense by securing former Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell. The 21-year-old played 39 games in three seasons for Clemson and should be able to start right away while developing at the next level.
2. Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 11) and Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
The Dolphins' desire to fix the offensive line makes Mauigoa perhaps the No. 1 target on the team's board. However, since it's unlikely the Mauigoa falls all the way to No. 11, the Dolphins would likely run to the podium if he's there.
If the Dolphins decide go with an edge rusher as their first defensive pick of the draft, they are probably hoping Faulk falls to the back of the first round. Faulk should start from day one as he develops as a pass rusher, but would compliment Chop Robinson well along the defensive line.
3. Miami OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 11) and San Diego State CB Chris Johnson (No. 30)
The offensive tackle and cornerback combination is the most common for the Dolphins two first-round picks. As offensive line is tougher to address later in the draft, Miami would likely go tackle first before focusing on cornerback later.
Chris Johnson is another late-first-round cornerback that the Dolphins could consider with their second pick of the draft. Johnson, who played 47 games at San Diego State, provides experience on the outside and would be a plug-an-play starter this year.
4. Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson and Clemson CB Avieon Terrell (No. 30)
If the Dolphins don't go with an offensive tackle in the first round, that should increase the chance that they take a wide receiver. Miami released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle in the offseason, so the team lacks a true top wide receiver.
Tyson is a projected top-10 pick who is could fall in the draft due to injury concerns, but he'd instantly be the best wide receiver on Miami's roster. New quarterback Malik Willis
5. Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson and Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk
It's not likely that the Dolphins go wide receiver and edge rusher on Thursday night, but it's not impossible if the right players fall. In this case, the Dolphins grab two players who both fell on Thursday night in Tyson and Faulk.
This scenario is one of the more exciting possibilities for Miami with a huge upside. However, Tyson stock rose in the past week, as teams ahead of the Dolphins are intrigued by the wide receiver.
