Dolphins' new regime expected to show traits during 2026 NFL Draft

Q: What are the Miami Dolphins' draft plans for 2026?

The Dolphins plan to actively influence the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on making strategic decisions to improve their roster.

Q: Why have the Dolphins struggled in recent years?

The Dolphins have struggled due to poor team-building decisions, including overpaying for average players and dealing with injuries.

Q: What pick do the Dolphins have in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Miami Dolphins currently hold the 11th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dolphins' new regime expected to show traits during 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Dolphins have shown over the past few years how you shouldn't build a team.

For any general manager around the NFL, the Dolphins have quite literally given them the blueprint of what not to do. It was fun at times, but at the end of the day, paying two wide receivers a lot of money and paying an average quarterback star money typically doesn't end well.

The Dolphins had some great moments, and we can definitely look at injuries as part of the reason why the team struggled, but it's important that they learn from their past mistakes. Right now, the Dolphins have the 11th pick, and if they make the right decisions, they could put themselves in a very good position to finally turn this thing around a little bit.

According to the latest, it sounds like the new decision-makers in Miami are going to put their hands all over this draft and really show what they're all about.

“It’d be easier to narrow down what the Dolphins don’t need—though the holes at receiver and corner are particularly deep.

“And with seven picks in the top 100, they’ll have a good shot to address those and, as we mentioned earlier, build up the guts of their roster. Two things I’d look for from new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan at 11 … The first would be for guys who are safe, both from an injury and character standpoint (making the first pick for him and new coach Jeff Hafley stand for something).

"The second would be top-end traits, which align with his shared philosophy with Packers GM Brian Gutekunst. Fano is someone I have circled. Delane is another. Tate, too, though I have a hard time seeing him slip this far. Downs would fit the “safe” part of this equation. The reality is Miami is wide open, and 11 might be right after the first “cliff” in the round, opening up a wide range of outcomes,” Albert Breer wrote.

This will be the first draft in a very long time that Miami doesn't have Chris Greer making decisions. Many fans have grown frustrated with Greer, and rightfully so. However, the new regime will have a chance to show that they're much different than the past, so hopefully this all goes well.