Dolphins urged to make bold draft trades with 2027 reasoning

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TL;DR

The Miami Dolphins are encouraged to make bold draft trades in the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire more picks, particularly for the 2027 draft class. With significant roster needs, trading down could be a strategic move to enhance their draft capital.

Dolphins urged to make bold draft trades with 2027 reasoning originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Dolphins are in a very interesting spot in the 2026 NFL Draft. While they own a lot of capital in the first three rounds, they likely should be trying to add even more picks.

With so many needs all across the roster after a major overhaul this offseason, the Dolphins need a ton of help, and volume of picks is key for Miami. Trading down is a very reasonable strategy for the Dolphins this year.

For ESPN's Bill Barnwell, he is urging the Dolphins to trade down and accrue more picks, and specifically, try to load up on picks in the 2027 draft class as opposed to more capital this year.

Dolphins urged to focus on 2027 draft picks in 2026 draft

"I'm instead arguing that the Dolphins should deal some of that bounty for 2027 picks, where they currently only have an extra fifth-rounder via Pittsburgh," Barnwell writes.

The Dolphins don't have the same abundance of 2027 picks as they do in this year's draft class. And with the 2027 class expected to be a lot better, moving down and around to add 2027 value is a must this year for Miami.

But the rest of the NFL is also hoping to add picks or keep their picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. which is set to be a good draft class.

So, the Dolphins might have some trouble finding the right trade partners in teams willing to give up on capital in next year's draft for trade-ups in the 2026 draft.

More: Denzel Boston named ideal fit for Dolphins at pick No. 30

Barnwell's argument for the Dolphins is sound, as the stronger 2027 class, along with more time for the new regime to scout, makes next year's class a whole lot more appealing for Miami than the 2026 class.

Even if the Dolphins only end up acquiring picks on late Day 2 or Day 3 of the 2027 draft, adding more value in next year's class is a must for Miami.

They need to get as many dart throws as possible, as there are so many holes that need to be filled over the next few years as they undergo a major rebuild.

It would not be a surprise to see the Dolphins swing a few trades during the 2026 NFL Draft, and Barnwell is urging the Dolphins to focus on the 2027 draft class instead of simply recouping 2026 picks down the board.