The Miami Dolphins, led by new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, have 11 draft picks for the upcoming NFL Draft from April 23-25, including two first-round selections. They aim to strengthen their roster around key players like Malik Willis and De'Von Achane.
The Miami Dolphins have needs at almost every position as new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan approaches his first NFL Draft, which will be Thursday April 23 to Saturday April 25.
Sullivan has 11 picks overall, including two in the first round, one in the second round and four in the third round. That's potentially seven of the draft's first 94 players.
Miami wants to build around Malik Willis, De'Von Achane, Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks and hopefully Chop Robinson and Kenneth Grant.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) during warmups prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Dec. 27, 2025.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 20-7. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Dec 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) high-fives fans after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 20: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 20, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) is forced out of the pocket against the Tennessee Titans during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 23: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a touchdown was scored against the New Orleans Saints by Emanuel Wilson during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Oct 15, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) cuts in front of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Browns NFL free agency target Malik Willis. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) spins out of a tackle by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Ravens won the game, 41-24. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 16: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) during warmups prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Dec. 27, 2025.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) during warmups prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Dec. 27, 2025.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 20-7. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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Dec 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) high-fives fans after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 20: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on December 20, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) is forced out of the pocket against the Tennessee Titans during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 23: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a touchdown was scored against the New Orleans Saints by Emanuel Wilson during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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Oct 15, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 11, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) cuts in front of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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Browns NFL free agency target Malik Willis. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) spins out of a tackle by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Ravens won the game, 41-24. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 16: Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
For this season, Zach Sieler, Greg Dulcich, Austin Jackson and Malik Washington also figure to have key roles.
Miami especially has needs at: cornerback, wide receiver, guard, edge rusher and safety.
The Dolphins haven't won a single playoff game since December 30, 2000, which is 26 years ago.
That's more than 9,200 days without a single playoff win, for those scoring at home.
So, let's think positively. Shall we present:
Odds are cornerback Mansoor Delane and tackle/guard Francis Mauigoa will be gone before the Dolphins select at No. 11. If not, wow, send in the card.
If they are gone, Miami's best-case scenario involves at least one or two of these players being available: cornerback Jermod McCoy or tackle/guard Spencer Fano.
If one of those four players or wide receiver Carnell Tate or safety Caleb Downs is available, that's a strong position for Miami. Some would say to include edge Rueben Bain. Perhaps.
Nov 15, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to a stop on fourth down against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
If Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is on the board at No. 30, that's an ideal spot for Miami to trade back.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) arrives to be enshrined as one of the 2025 permanent captains at Denny Chimes during the Alabama A Day at the University of Alabama.
Recall how the Dolphins once traded back with the Packers near the end of the first round, when Green Bay wanted Jordan Love. That's a good spot to trade back as teams want the extra year that comes with first-round quarterback contracts.
In general, one must think Sullivan will try to trade back with any of his picks in the first four rounds, including possibly trading one or two for higher-round picks in 2027.
Sullivan has tremendous flexibility and the last thing he's thinking about is positional needs.
But it would be nice if a cornerback, wide receiver and guard the team really likes happened to be avaialable when those projected seven picks in the first three rounds come up. It would be good fortune.
But this is important - Sullivan does not want to "check boxes." He wants to draft players he really believes in, regardless of position. We'll all see how that goes.
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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: Miami Dolphins NFL draft: Here are the three best-case scenarios
The Miami Dolphins have needs at almost every position as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins have a total of 11 draft picks, including two in the first round, one in the second round, and four in the third round.
The Dolphins aim to build around players like Malik Willis, De'Von Achane, and potentially Chop Robinson and Kenneth Grant.
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 25.
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