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Dolphins fans say they want a Miami Hurricane in Round 1 of NFL Draft
TL;DR
Miami Dolphins fans are advocating for the selection of a Miami Hurricanes player in the first round of the NFL Draft, specifically favoring offensive/defensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. He received 42% of votes in a fan poll, surpassing teammate Rueben Bain, who garnered 36%.
Miami Dolphins fans want general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to build those trenches.
And Dolphins fans would love it if his first-round pick is a Miami Hurricanes offensive or defensive lineman.
Tackle/guard Francis Mauigoa is the Dolphins fans' first choice for the 11th overall pick in a highly-unofficial fan poll conducted by the Post on X.
Mauigioa garnered 42 percent of the vote, just ahead of 'Canes defensive lineman Rueben Bain, who received 36 percent of the vote.
Mauigoa was the Post's pick at No. 11 overall in NFL Mock Draft 3.0.
2026 NFL mock draft 3.0 Miami Dolphins land Miami T/G in Round 1 | Schad
Mauigoa, 6-foot-6, 335 pounds, could play right guard in 2026 and potentially move to right tackle for the Dolphins in 2027.
Scouts say Mauigoa is durable, powerful and smart.
NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah says Mauigoa can "uproot and displace defenders."
That sounds like just what Miami needs as Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley attempt to establish a more powerful and tough culture.
Bain, 6-foot-2, 263 pounds, can play defensive tackle and defensive end and is a physical and tough disruptor.
Scouts say Bain has a "junkyard dog" mentality. Again, just what Miami needs.
Junkyard Dog: Could Dolphins draft Hurricanes star Rueben Bain?
And, yes, some reports suggest some teams have concern about Mauigoa's back and/or Bain's arm length. Well, if one or both slide to No. 11, that's a Dolphins' blessing.
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) on the field Jan. 19, 2026 before the national championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium.
Third and fourth in the fan poll were LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (20 percent) and wide receiver Makai Lemon (4 percent).
Delane is a phenomenal talent at a position of need.
But fans really, really want Sullivan to add powerful, physical trench players.
Soon, we'll all learn what Miami does with two picks in the first round and seven in the first three rounds. That's plenty of ammunition for Sullivan to work with.
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Good first impression: Dolphins already impressed by coach Jeff Hafley. 'Brings the juice.'
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Monster offensive lineman Francis Maugioa is fans' choice for Dolphins
Q&A
Who do Dolphins fans want the team to draft in the first round of the NFL Draft?
Dolphins fans want the team to draft Francis Mauigoa, an offensive/defensive lineman from the Miami Hurricanes.
What percentage of votes did Francis Mauigoa receive in the fan poll for the Dolphins' first-round pick?
Francis Mauigoa received 42% of the votes in the fan poll conducted by the Post.
Which other Miami Hurricanes player was a contender for the Dolphins' first-round pick?
Rueben Bain, a defensive lineman from the Miami Hurricanes, was the second choice, receiving 36% of the votes.
