Sun Sentinel staff predictions for Dolphins’ first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft

And while I’m convinced they’ll stay at No. 11, there’s a good chance that they trade the No. 30 selection.

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David Furones, Dolphins writer

Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain; Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston

In no mock draft I’ve published do I have Bain available here, but maybe the short-arm questions lead to just enough of a drop to fall out of the top 10 and right into the Dolphins’ lap. Bain would immediately give the Dolphins an elite, powerful edge defender who mauls blockers in front of him and fits the 4-3 base defense coach Jeff Hafley wants to play as a traditional defensive end. He was coached in college by Dolphins great Jason Taylor and has a throwback Hurricane attitude who will spark a locker room culture early on for this regime as Bain will be motivated to have a successful professional career in his hometown.

Why not use the top pick acquired in the Jaylen Waddle trade to find a Waddle replacement at receiver? Boston is a different type of wideout, standing tall at 6 feet 4 with elite ball skills but some concerns over his straight-line speed. He would offer new quarterback Malik Willis a big pass-catching target to throw the ball up to in single coverage and spark a pivot from the small-but-speedy wide receiver typical of the Mike McDaniel era.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane; trade pick No. 30

Delane would be both the BPA (best player available) and he’d fill a need.

As for the No. 30 pick, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan values draft picks and he acquires more through this trade.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Best draft candidates at pick No. 11 | VIDEO

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor

Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling; Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk

I wouldn’t be shocked if the Dolphins traded down from each of their first-round spots, but, putting that aside, and assuming UM stud Francis Mauigoa is off the board, it is hard to ignore the imposing Bulldogs tackle. To me, the Dolphins’ highest priority in 2026 is finding out if new quarterback Malik Willis can play at a level that obviates the need for making a huge investiture in the position in the 2027 draft, and having an athletic, massive (6 feet 7) bookend to Patrick Paul could be a big step in that direction.

At 30, ideally Miami could trade back to a team motivated to pick a QB in the first round (with that affordable fifth-year option that is appended to players picked in the first 32). If staying put, Faulk would help get back some pass rush lost with Bradley Chubb’s departure. Why not keep piling up on offense to help Willis here? The Packers made tons of hay snapping up pass targets after the first round in the past handful of drafts (Dontayvion Wicks picked 159th in 2023, Romeo Doubs 132nd in 2022 and Christian Watson 34th in 2022, along with rising star tight end Tucker Kraft at No. 78 in 2023). This draft similarly has a bunch of receivers who should be there at the Dolphins’ third pick, at 43, so the thought is they may plug the defense here.

Dolphins Deep Dive: What should Miami do in first round of NFL draft? | VIDEO