With the 2026 NFL Draft Combine underway and players cycling through scheduled interviews, medicals and NFLPA sessions, today marks the first day of the fun stuff – prospects official measurements, testing and on-field drills.

Thursday’s session (NFL Network, 3 p.m. ET) will feature defensive linemen (defensive tackles, defensive ends and edge rushers), linebackers and punters/kickers. All of these spots will be of interest to Miami Dolphins coaches and evaluators on-hand (as will most positions frankly), particularly edge players.

FIRST ROUND GUYS

The Dolphins have been mocked by just about every outlet that does one for 2026 and those early mocks strongly suggest the team will be drafting a cornerback. In fact, the aggregate 79% have mocked a corner to Miami, with just 1%chance each for an edge or defensive tackle.

While that may not be realistic, It does make what happens at pick 11 (should Miami stay there) intriguing as it relates to edge players because who at today’s combine could change the direction the Dolphins are expected go?  

Two players catch our eye in that regard – Miami’s Reuben Bain and Clemson’s T.J. Parker.

Bain is a physical beast who would fit Jon-Eric Sullivan‘s vision of physicality. He has been widely-projected pre-combine to be gone well before Miami picks at 11. The question is in his potential limitations, and his numbers at the combine related to explosion, speed (10-yard) and arm length could determine where he ends up in round 1.

We may be in the minority, but Clemson’s Parker is amongst our favorite edge players likely available to Miami (no mock has him going to Miami or earlier). But if Parker blows things out at the combine, he may be worth considering at 11 or, if he stays where anticipated, he’s a player to watch should the Dolphins be able to trade down in round 1.

Parker had what many considered a down year in 2025, posting 5 sacks and 9.5 TFLs in a season he spent with offensive coordinators knowing well who he was as he racked up 11 sacks and 19.5 TFLs as a sophomore. He’s got plenty of tape and a well-rounded game that will keep him on the field all three downs.

THE MIDDLE MEN

Of the players who could go between rounds 2 and 4, a few will be worth watching for how they’re built, how they run and how it will affect their draft status.

Illinois’ Gabe Jacas is an edge rusher Miami should take a serious look at if he makes round 2 and his testing will be interesting. With 20 sacks and 42 hurries, will Jacas work his way higher? Once on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freak List” after benching 285 at 22 reps, Jacas is currently listed at 6-3, 267 and shows exceptional burst on-field. With intangibles like strong hands and a wrestling background, he is a two-way edge who fits the Dolphins’ stated profile.

Oklahoma’s R. Mason Thomas also put up numbers, posting 17 career sacks, 25.5 TFLs and 4 forced fumbles against big-time competition. He has good bend, power and crazy closing speed. But will he measure bigger, smaller or the same as his listed 6-2, 249? It will be a big deal.

A little bit lower down draft projections is UCF edge Malachi Lawrence, but he’s another player who would like to marry what’s on the measurement charts with what will likely be on the testing sheets. He posted 28 TFLs and 20 sacks in three years as a starter but looks smaller than his listed 6-4, 260. Could be his combination of quickness and closing speed that make him seem smaller, but this is what the combine’s for – does the testing match up with the film.

DAY THREE POSSIBILITIES

A linebacker to watch for Miami who could slip to the third day is Utah’s Lander Barton. Barton is interesting because he has the length (6-5) you’re looking for in the middle of the field. But what’s more, he got some reps last year at tight end and looked real good. As a linebacker, he’s good going sideline-to-sideline and is a big hitter. In his snaps at tight end, he showed a player who could both catch and break tackles. He really could do either as a pro.

Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis turned eyes at the Senior Bowl with is work in pass defense, but at 6-1, 225, he is undersized, especially for Miami. Keep an eye on his speed and agility drills, however, as if he runs well, he could move to safety and suddenly become a versatile, desirable piece.

George Gumbs Jr., a player currently listed as an edge, is an intriguing prospect out of Florida. He’s a converted wide receiver (see below) listed at 6-4, 250.  He had 31 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovery in 2025. At minimum, he will be a special teams guy but if he runs real well, the Dolphins should consider him in round 4 or 5 as a strongside linebacker. It would give him position flexibility given his edge history, and it fits Miami’s size profile, whereas 250 pounds off of the edge does not.

WHO TO WATCH, DAY 1

Below is a list of players the Dolphins to keep an eye on, based on Aqua & Coral Report’s pre-combine evaluations:

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DL/LB BENCHMARKS

Most important for defensive tackles are the drills that measure burst and explosion, specifically the 10-yard split (of the 40), vertical and broad jumps, the short shuttle and the 3-cone drill. For edge rushers and linebackers, those same tests apply but add the 40-yard dash to the ‘important’ list.

Want to chat Dolphins football and the draft? Have a take or question on a certain prospect? Follow the Aqua & Coral Report on Twitter at @AquaCoralRep and fire away.