The 2026 NFL draft is approaching, with the Miami Dolphins holding the No. 11 pick. A recent trade involving the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals could impact the Dolphins' draft strategy.
Key points
2026 NFL draft is approaching
Miami Dolphins hold No. 11 pick
New York Giants traded Dexter Lawrence
Giants received No. 10 overall pick from Bengals
Dolphins may benefit from available prospects
Miami DolphinsNew York GiantsCincinnati BengalsDexter Lawrence
The 2026 NFL draft is a few days away, and there was a major trade that could shake up what happens with the Miami Dolphins' No. 11 overall pick. A blockbuster deal was made on Saturday when the New York Giants sent Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for their pick No. 10 overall in Thursday’s opening round.
The move could indicate that the Giants may choose to make a selection that could leave a very enticing prospect on the lap of Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. In addition to the Giants picking up a second pick in that top-10, where they already pick at No. 5, their general manager, Joe Schoen, reportedly had dinner with Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson the night before attending his pro day last week.
With the new wrinkle thrown in, as well as some other speculation across social media, Dolphins Wire has one last Dolphins mock prior to the real thing later this week.
First Round (No. 11 overall): Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
Arguably the cleanest right tackle prospect in the class, University of Miami’s Mauigoa is well-built for the NFL game and displays a solid anchor to withstand professional pass rushers. He can move very well in addition to his size and was even clocked at 20 miles per hour, so his ability to hit the next level is apparent, which gives him very good run blocking ability to round out his game.
This selection could give the Dolphins a formidable bookend tackle situation to protect new quarterback Malik Willis, with the option of kicking veteran to the inside at guard. Should they want to keep Jackson at tackle, Mauigoa could play inside at guard as a rookie, before taking over for the veteran.
Q&A
What is the significance of the Dolphins' No. 11 pick in the 2026 NFL draft?
The Dolphins' No. 11 pick is crucial as it could allow them to select a top prospect, especially with recent trades affecting the draft order.
Who did the New York Giants trade to the Cincinnati Bengals?
The New York Giants traded Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Which player is projected for the Dolphins' first-round pick?
The Dolphins are projected to select offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with their No. 11 overall pick.
How could the Giants' trade affect the Dolphins' draft strategy?
The Giants' trade could leave enticing prospects available for the Dolphins, impacting their selection strategy at No. 11.
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*TRADE* Miami sends No. 30 and No. 94 overall to Arizona Cardinals for No. 34 and No. 65.
The Cardinals made a mock call and moved up to get back in the first round to get a Quarterback in Alabama’s Ty Simpson, allowing the benefit of a potential fifth-year option. The mock deal moves Miami back just four slots, and upgrades pick No. 94 to No. 65, which shortens a wide gap between their No. 43 and No. 75 selections.
*Second Round (No. 34 overall): San Diego State CB Chris Johnson
The mock-deal has Sullivan improving his overall assets slightly, while still being able to get a player that many have a first-round grade on. San Diego State’s Chris Johnson is a scheme-versatile, lock-down cornerback who improved his stock at the NFL Scouting Combine with his 4.40-second 40-yard dash time. He was also the position’s top-ranked player in Athleticism Score at 87.
A very smooth and fluid defensive back with athleticism and smarts, Johnson can instantly be head coach Jeff Hafley’s top outside corner. Johnson held quarterbacks to a horrific 20.6 rating when targeting against him, and had a coverage grade of 92.4 in 2025. He picked off four passes, taking two of them for scores.
Second Round (No. 43 overall): Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas
The Dolphins parted ways with veteran pass-rusher Brandley Chubb and are thin at the position to begin with. Miami brought in free agent edge A.J. Epenesa for a visit last week, but the area is still a main target for Sullivan during the draft process.
Illinois edge Gabe Jacas elected to stay in school for his senior year, and it was a great idea. He improved from eight sacks in 2024 to 11 last season, adding 13.5 tackles for loss. Jacas has great leverage with his wrestling background and is not a major liability against the run. He has excellent strength in putting up 30 bench press reps at the combine, and at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, has pro-ready size. He was a team captain, has great football IQ and toughness and physicality the Dolphins sorely need.
*Third Round (No. 65 overall): Georgia State WR Ted Hurst
The Dolphins dealt Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos to obtain Denver’s pick earlier in the offseason, and in the mock deal with Arizona, that pick was able to move up from No. 94 to No. 65 to reload at the position. Georgia State’s Ted Hurst is a big-bodied outside target who can be an outstanding weapon for quarterback Malik Willis. Hurst could play the “X” or “Z” roles and can be a deep-threat and touchdown machine. Over the last two seasons, no receiver was targeted more on passes 20-plus yards downfield with 64, which turned into a nation-leading 27 receptions on those deep balls.
He finished his career at Georgia State with 15 touchdowns in 24 games and had a career yards per reception mark of 15.5. He had a very good combine outing, registering a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and 36.5-inch vertical, ranking him fifth in Athleticism Score among receivers in the class.
Third Round (No. 75 overall): UConn WR Skyler Bell
To complement Hurst, let’s stay at receiver with UConn’s Skyler Bell. Bell could be versatile enough to play the slot as well as outside and has outstanding athletic ability. Ranking just being Hurst at the combine in Athleticism Score, Bell thrives with his yards after catch ability. He averaged over eight yards after catch per reception in 2025.
Following three seasons at Wisconsin, he played two years at UConn and put up gaudy stats in his senior year with 101 receptions, 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was fourth in the nation in catches, second in yards and tied for third in touchdowns among wideouts. He could be a very good slot weapon, and 59% of his receptions over the last two seasons came from four or less yards downfield, where he then displayed his yards after catch ability.
Third Round (No. 87 overall): Arizona S Genesis Smith
Hafley loves his safeties, and this is an area very much needed for Miami with a thin room. Arizona’s Genesis Smith excels in zone coverage and has the field alignment versatility Hafley loves. He can play free safety, the slot and up in the box, but does need to improve his tackling.
He could find a home as a free safety with his coverage and ball skills, as he logged 14 passes defensed and five interceptions in his 37 collegiate games. He has good instincts and good size at 6-foot-2 as well as length, which helps him not getting beat deep, which are traits Hafley covets in his defensive backs. Another solid athlete, he was ranked third in Athleticism Score among safeties and had the best vertical at the position at 42.5-inch as well as top in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.18.
Third Round (No. 90 overall): Kentucky G Jalen Farmer
Kentucky’s Jalen Farmer could help the interior immediately, an area Miami has a pair of holes in currently. Last year’s rookie Jonah Savaiinaea was one of the league’s lowest-ranking linemen, and his starting spot is not a guarantee. Farmer has great speed for a 6-foot-5 offensive lineman and powerful, playing with a violent and physical mindset in finishing his blocks. Another strong combine performer, he ranked second among offensive linemen in Athleticism Score at 92 and was the fastest timed guard with a 4.9-second 40 time.
Very good arm length and wingspan, Farmer had an impressive pressure efficiency rate of over 97% over the last two seasons at Kentucky. Farmer is a right guard, and the prospect of a future right side of him inside and Mauigoa on the outside at tackle could be formidable for the Dolphins' line.
Fourth Round (No. 130 overall): Stephen F. Austin CB Charlie Demmings
Now in Day 3, depth and potential are the goals, and Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charlie Demmings is a terrific story. Demmings is a small school product with big aspirations. A very good cover-corner with great ball tracking skills, he picked off nine passes in his college career.
Another defensive back with good size at 6-1 who has a 42-inch vertical and 4.41 speed, Demmings was ranked fifth at the combine in Athleticism Score at 81. A team captain and four-year starter, Demmings is one to root for as he was one of just three non-FBS players invited to the combine this year. He was also the first in his school’s history to participate in the Senior Bowl, as per NFL Draft on SI writer, Justin Melo.
Fifth Round (No. 150 overall): Texas TE Jack Endries
The targets continue for Willis, as Texas tight end Jack Endries could make a nice complement to Greg Dulcich, who Miami re-signed to a one-year deal this offseason. Endries was a top target for Heisman Trophy Winner Fernando Mendoza when they were both at California before transferring to their respective schools. Endries is a 6-foot-5 inline tight end who can also line up in the slot, split out wide, and even as an H-back. He can benefit from adding some mass, and a pro strength and conditioning program could help.
He has elite hands, can shield himself from defenders like boxing out for a rebound like a basketball player, and has good speed at 4.62 for a tight end. He was second in the combine 10-yard split behind top of the class at the position, Kenyon Sadiq. Endries’ run blocking could use some work, but as a pass catcher, he has drawn comparisons to Dalton Schultz by some scouts.
Seventh Round (No. 227 overall): Buffalo LB Red Murdock
A tackling machine during his last two seasons, Murdock tallied 156 as a junior and 142 in 2025 as a senior at the University at Buffalo. He finished his four-year career with 39.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks with an impressive 17 forced fumbles, an NCAA record. A high motor player who plays physically, he can be an asset against the run on the inside, while entering the league as an immediate special teamer with defensive upside.
Seventh Round (No. 238 overall): Texas Tech S Cole Wisniewski
Rounding out the 11 picks, Hafley gets another defensive back and a very good run-defending safety in Texas Tech’s Cole Wisniewski, who has some linebacker traits in him. He played for North Dakota State before transferring to Texas Tech for one season, where he finished with 78 total tackles, six for loss, a sack, six passes defensed, along with two forced fumbles and a recovery.
