Arguably the worst-manned position on the Miami Dolphins offense last year, interior offensive linemen will no doubt be on the menu at draft time for first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
This is part two in a 10-part Aqua & Coral Report series breaking down draft evaluations by position, as well as a ranking of the preferred prospects by position.
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND?
That’s the question (re: draft capital) Sullivan will need to ask himself this year because there will be prospects at guard likely staring him in the face a few times over the draft’s first few days.
The opinion here is that the position got major juice at the top post-combine with a little board reset and movement of two players considered among the best tackles over to guard.
And that’s where the capital question will hit.
There is a chance that Utah’s Spencer Fano or Miami’s Francis Mauigoa are available at the 11th pick. If that presents, would Miami want to spend that pick on a player who may ultimately be an NFL guard? In both cases, you could be talking about eventual top-shelf players at the position.
In this series, the corners we’ve evaluated who are worth watching based on film; combined with Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley’s publicly-stated vision; and then finally measurables and testing.
INTERIOR LINEMEN FOR MIAMI TO TARGET
The top guards for Miami in our estimation, as of this week. Like the Dolphins actual board, ours will stay dynamic until the final college pro days are conducted and all information collected.
Below are the Top 10 guards, with 2026 ACR Dolphins Draft Guide bios included. Below the guards are a few centers to watch, though for ’26 the team is in good hands right now with Aaron Brewer and Andrew Meyer under contract. Brewer’s next contract is reason to look at centers when you might not need one.
Final thoughts for consideration — for a scrambling quarterback like Malik Willis, two things are very important.
First, at 6-1, he needs a pocket set by interior linemen not getting reset over and over until they are up in his face. Willis’ tape shows that he can throw from the pocket when there is one.
Second, one of the challenges less considered when it comes to an improviser at QB and the offensive line is that mobility will also be an important trait because once he goes off script, their involvement relies on sometimes being able to do the same.
(⭐ denotes favorite players respective of projected draft range)
GUARDS
1. ⭐IOL Spencer Fano, Utah: 6-5 ½, 311; arms came in a little short (32 1/8-inch) or he’s atop the OT board; best lineman overall in the draft; a good power rusher could give him issues early, but he will own most speed rushers; movement skills are elite; blocking in space is elite; uses his punch well and is advanced overall in his hand usage, despite length; there is no player in this draft who can match him in outside zone and on second-level blocks; he’s far from soft, he just needs to get stronger; if MIA ran gap scheme, that would be one thing but I think he’s a perfect addition inside; will be a big time player starting in year two, after a full NFL offseason; some team asked him to take snaps at C at the combine, thus IOL instead of G; possibly off JES board due to arm length, but athleticism and film should override that (R1)
2. G Francis Mauigoa, Miami: 42 starts in 3 years++; massive, 6-5.5, 329 block-shaped frame; wins at the college level primarily with power; is real young (20) so still room to grow his game but has a few flaws; can get out over is skis sometimes and I could see a pro speed rushers giving him trouble; counters and inside spins can win against him; I don’t see a ton of flexibility and the mirroring could be more crisp; when he gets beat it looks bad (back to the defender on one); he’s a nasty run blocker and his frame is perfect if size is what you seek; arms aren’t ridiculously long (33 ¼-inch); I feel he’s more gap scheme-ready than he is outside zone as it relates to his movement skills; experience at tackle is an asset, but I would not prefer him out in space (R1)
3. G Gennings Dunker, Iowa (R2)
4. ⭐G Chase Bisontis, TAMU: real quick reaction at the snap; left guard for the Aggies at 6-5, 320; real athletic as a pass protector, very good lateral movement and balance; good reaction skills as it relates to secondary moves; over 1,800 career snaps; 8 pressures and no sacks allowed in 2025; will possibly need help with NFL DTs in the power department; his arms don’t look exceptionally long (they weren’t – 31 ¾-inches at the combine); does a good bit of striking to reset with defenders; is excellent at getting in first strike and getting it inside; good at attaching himself and hinging defenders in run game; seems like he needs to get stronger to be truly successful as an NFL run blocker; explosion helps him be low man; good at pulling, needs a little work on the second level; honestly, primary concern is play strength (bench was good, 29 reps); good Miami fit except for the arms; NFL Network comp’d him to Cooper Beebe, who I liked as well (R2-R3)
5. G Keylan Rutledge, Ga Tech right guard; has this weird little hitch at the start of his movement that has to cost him at least a quarter step; 6-4, 316, plays a little bigger; moves well; 33 ¼-inch arms; clearly loves finishing blocks and making the defender feel it++; finds his way to the second level pretty well and does a good job at getting something on his man; anchors pretty well; sometimes first move with hands comes from the outside; moves with good balance; comparable to Andrew Meyer in a lot of ways (R3)
6. G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky (R3)
7. G Micah Morris, Georgia (R4)
8. G DJ Campbell, Texas: 6-3, 313 and could probably be a little more fit; long arms (34-inch)++; physically gifted with his strength in his arms and maybe somebody can coach him up on his movement; he does look disgustingly strong at times and other times seems like he doesn’t want to engage, which bothers me; gave up 6 sacks in his first year as a starter (soph.) then only allowed one the next two years; allowed 5 QB hits from his right guard spot last year; would draft him higher, sometimes wonder about his drive (R5)
9. G Ar’maj Reed-Adams, TAMU (R5-R6)
10. G Jaedan Roberts, Alabama (R7)
CENTERS
1. C Logan Jones, Iowa: mixed bag which makes for a tougher eval; he’s 6-3, 299 and moves like you’d want an outside zone center to move; holds the Iowa FB all-time squat record at 700+ pounds; 32-inch vertical and a good combine overall; also reportedly has sub-31 inch arms, which is not good at all, though better to have at center than elsewhere; Rimington Trophy winner in ’25; he can play a little high but he gets it done usually; testing quickness doesn’t always show on tape; real effective at combo blocks and in flipping his hips on a defender to seal a block; 50 starts (R3)
2. ⭐C Parker Brailsford, Alabama: 6-2, 289; love his game; can really move; size is noticeable standing next to his teammates but not really in his play in terms of taking on tackles, setting his anchor and holding them, very impressive; he’s so narrow it’s borderline shocking but he can handle everything; makes switching on a stunt look easy; second-level blocking is good and can get better; not a super high ceiling but a high floor for sure for an OZ center; fits what Miami is currently doing at C, unsure if it’s what they prefer long term; wouldn’t be surprised if LAC drafted him (late R3)
3. IOL Brian Parker II, Duke (R4)
4. C Jake Slaughter, Florida (R5)
NOTABLE IOL DNWs
G Vega Ioane, Penn State: left guard, 6-4 330; better in pass protection than run blocking; gap scheme fit, not for an offense that needs a mover who gets to the second level with ease; good anchor and reset; allows defender ground but only in small increments while he keeps his feet going; so much better going backward than forward though; can get his hands outside on blocks in run game; overall, not impressed, he is not a lineman who can get to the second level and be effective; not a fit in Miami’s imo (R1/DNW)
G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
G Beau Stephens, Iowa
G Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
IOL Matt Gulbin, Michigan State
C Connor Lew, Auburn
THE SCHEDULE
- Mon., Mar. 9 — Part 1, Cornerbacks
- Today — Part 2, Interior Offensive Line
- Tues. Mar. 17 — Part 3, Tight Ends
- Thu. Mar. 19 — Part 4, Edge rushers
- Tues. Mar. 24 — Part 5, Wide Receivers
- Thu. Mar. 26 — Part 6, Defensive Tackles
- Tues. Mar. 31 — Part 7, Quarterbacks
- Thu. Apr. 2 — Part 8, Running Backs
- Tues. Apr. 6 — Part 9, Offensive Tackles
- Thu. Apr. 8 — Part 10, Safeties
DNW = Do Not Want (Examples: a) Jermod McCoy is a DNW in the first round, but would gladly select him in the second. He’s still a DNW because he isn’t expected to make it to round 2. B) Other times, there are straight DNWs based on things like character (e.g. James Pearce last year) or just a bad overall fit)
(Full bios on all players listed will be available on all players in the ’26 ACR Dolphins Draft Guide).
Aqua & Coral Report 