Now a full day into on-field testing and individual drills, day two of the 2026 NFL Draft Combine gets under way in Indianapolis later today (NFL Network, 3 p.m. ET).

Friday’s sessions will feature defensive backs (cornerbacks and safeties) as well as tight ends. It will be a big day for the Miami Dolphins personnel and scouting departments as cornerback is easily the worst on the current roster, and there are a ton of prospects available throughout this year’s draft.

In addition, this year’s class features a good number of cornerbacks with size, a desired trait mentioned by head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.

Miami also has great need at safety and there are good players available, including Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, who we rate as the best player in this year’s class, regardless of position.

THE DELANE DILEMA

NOTE TO THE READER: What’s below was written prior to player interviews on Thursday, Feb. 26. In his session, Mansoor Delane said he is opting not to test or do on-field and when asked why he stated “cut the tape.” This suggests he is not going to run at all before the draft, so consider when reading below. I am very much a fan of Delane’s game and I think the play speed is more than adequate, but I also do not like the games though it may help him get to pick 11. In addition, Jermod McCoy stated that he too will not be participating in on-field tests or drills. This bothers me somewhat more than Delane because I do have concerns related to both his injury and his competitiveness.

The player mocked most often to Miami pre-combine has no doubt been LSU CB Mansoor Delane (pronounced MAHN-sor duh-LANE). If he is a favorite of the Dolphins, it’s difficult to know what to wish for with him in the combine.

Delane is unquestioned in his ability to cover. His coverage stats last year were ridiculous. Targeted only 34 times all season, he got his hands on 13 of those targets (11 PBUs, 2 interceptions) and quarterbacks posted a lowly 26.7 QBR when throwing to his coverage area.

There is a singular question about him – his long speed.

On tape and even via NextGen stats that measure player speed, Delane has no problems at all. It’s guesstimated that he will run close to a 4.50 40-yard dash. If he runs a little under that, which is reasonable, he could be in play for the Dolphins.

If, however, he’s been training just for his 40 time and comes away in the low 4.4s, the Dolphins may be at risk of being able to even consider him. They may be regardless.

Another corner to watch who has both been mocked to the Dolphins and is widely-held along with Delane as the top two cornerbacks of the class, Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy’s testing will be of interest.

It will have been nearly 14 months since McCoy tore his ACL, so evaluators will want to see how he is moving. It’s hard to think he will have any issues, but this will be his first appearance since his injury outside of the Vols practice fields, assuming he participates. If he doesn’t test, Miami would do best to strike him from its first-round board.

INTRIGUING MID-ROUND TIGHT ENDS

A great case of the dynamic nature of mock drafting, way-too-early mocks and fan-generated mocks often had Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq as a popular first round pick for Miami.

While Sadiq is a good player and will likely fit a scheme more focused on an aerial attack, an early pick on a 6-3 tight end at pick 11 (should Miami stay there) doesn’t seem likely.

It is not a good draft for tight ends overall and a lot of film has been churned on players who may get drafted, but certainly don’t seem like long term NFL players, much less difference makers.

Two players who could go anywhere from the third to fifth round stood out though: Dae’Quan Wright of Ole Miss and Michigan’s Marlin Klein.

Wright a far better blocker than Sadiq and not far behind, if at all, in the receiving department. He’s 6-4, 255 a true Y tight end, and a player who can play inline or wide. Oh, and he averaged 16.3 yards per catch last year. He’s a player worthy of watching during testing.

It would be a lie to insinuate that I knew much about Klein until watching film in preparation for the draft. Instead of bloviating, I’ll share what is currently prepared for the 2026 Aqua & Coral Report Draft Guide, which will undergo a final transformation post-combine before hitting the newsstands.

TE Marlin Klein, Michigan: one of the better blocking tight ends in the class, at least from what I’ve seen; 6-6, 250 and was born in Cologne, Germany; pretty good route runner, good feet and real good hands; sat behind Loveland first few years; best year was ’25 (24 rec./248 yds./1 TD) and it feels like the lack of production plus some injuries have people down on him; watching just the tape, he’s the most intriguing TEs in the class, especially based on value; Y tight ends are not easy to find anymore; Klein can block inline and in space; Michigan split him out at times, only to utilize him as a blocker for a receiver he was in stack with; runs really well for his size and looks real comfortable; if he can stay healthy, this could be gold in a few years (he will need some PT and an offseason); big fan of his potential (R4)

A FEW OTHERS WORTH NOTING

LSU safety A.J. Haulcy is arguably the second-best in this class on the field, but he’s listed at 6-0, 200. Measurements will matter for him and could push him down into the third round, which would be worth going against a “big-player” mantra. Haulcy is a ballhawk, physical and plays like a bigger player.  

Kansas State safety V.J. Payne will have no such concerns at 6-3+ and 212 pounds. He’s a ridiculously good box safety already with what look to be very long arms. Sullivan and Hafley like position versatility and he could definitely show a look at his size. His speed and agility drills will be worth watching as he isn’t currently projected by most to be taken before day three.

Two lesser-mentioned cornerbacks to watch who fit the Dolphins’ size profile are Arkansas’ Julian Neal (6-2, 210) and Toledo’s Andre Fuller (6-2, 208) who pops on tape, even when trying to evaluate his teammate, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

Both corners are physical and look good in press. Neal is a former basketball player, which shows up in contested balls. Both need to show what they can run with NFL wideouts.

WHO TO WATCH, DAY 2

Below is a list of Day 2 prospects the Dolphins should keep an eye on, based on Aqua & Coral Report’s pre-combine evaluations:

TE Dallen Bentley, Utah

TE Josh Cuevas, Alabama

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

TE Justin Joly, N.C. State

TE Marlin Klein, Michigan

TE Tanner Koziol, Houston

TE Sam Roush, Stanford

TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati

TE Dae’Quan Wright, Mississippi

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CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State

CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

CB Tacario Davis, Washington

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia

CB Andre Fuller, Toledo

CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M

CB Hezekiah Masses, Cal

CB Devin Moore, Florida

CB Julian Neal, Arkansas

CB Keionte Scott, Miami

CB Treydan Stukes, Arizona

CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

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S Bud Clark, TCU

S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

S A.J. Haulcy, LSU

S Jalen Huskey, Maryland

S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

S VJ Payne, Kansas State

S Genesis Smith, Arizona

S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

S Jakobe Thomas, Miami

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DB/TE BENCHMARKS

Below are the testing benchmarks to look for when watching cornerbacks, safeties and tight ends at Friday’s NFL Draft Combine:

POTENTIAL TARGETS STOCK UP/STOCK DOWN

Stock Up

EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson: Size/speed now undeniable with good tape. High upside, high floor

EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF: 4.52, 10-10 broad jump and 40-inch vertical, 33 5/8-inch arms

DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma: 4.82 40 with a 1.7 split and 36.5 vertical at 6-3, 293

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas: 4.51 and a 1.58 split (corner speed) at 6-2, 238. Versatile, productive

Stock Down

EDGE Reuben Bain, Miami: unusually short arms (sub 31″) then chose not to test at all

EDGE LT Overton, Alabama: had questions about athleticism, didn’t answer them

EDGE R Mason Thomas: arm length (31 5/8″) and weight (241) combined with inadequate 40

DT Kayden McDonald: 6-2, 326 and short area movement skills looked bad in individual drills

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.