Below is Aqua & Coral Report’s second official seven-round Miami Dolphins Mock Draft of this year, this time with a little better understanding of the prospects and of the Dolphins.
Unlike the first mock, this one will also have a little flexibility as a first round trade was allowed.
MOCK DRAFT 2.0
Per the simulator, Miami was offered a trade for pick 11 by Cleveland. In accepting, the Dolphins give up that 11th selection and get back the Browns selections at R1, pick 24, and R2 pick 39. It seems like a realistic trade based on the exchange of capital.
The Dolphins have a lot of needs, as is well-documented. The goals in drafting were to simultaneously fill needs, as well as specific roster positions based on what is known about new head coach Jeff Hafley — his defensive preferences is in terms of personnel, and what is expected to be a relatively similar offensive scheme to last year with OC Bobby Slowik taking the reins.
Admittedly, a trade down could be tough for the Dolphins to pull off this year, but the results below seem to speak for themselves from here. (Mock Draft 3.0 will return to no trades).
R1, PICK 24*: S Dillon Thieneman
A late riser on draft boards, Thieneman might be a little rich to select at pick 11, but I have no problem taking him here. He gives the Dolphins a back-end eraser the team will certainly need as it looks to develop what will be a young secondary again in 2026.
Average size (6-0, 201); started as a freshman at Purdue and showed out immediately; knocked the combine out of the park – 4.35 40-yard dash (1.52 split), 41-inch vertical and 10-5 broad, all elite; good tackler who does a nice job of squaring up tot eh ball carrier and takes advantage of opportunities at the ball if it’s there; takes great angles to the ball in pass coverage and the play speed matches the combine speed; seems to prefer playing centerfield as opposed to a player you can move all over, but is definitely the free safety of this draft class (note: when I made this note, I admittedly knew less about Thieneman and less about Hafley. Watching more and learning more, his traits are perfect for Hafley’s deep safety); around the ball a lot; not in the same class as a player like Downs in terms of coverage versatility but on the flip side, can track way better than Downs and does have the traits of a high pick; posted good results in his coverage area; would like to see more man coverage;arm and hand size not ideal; best fit in the draft for arguably the most important spot in a Cover 1/Cover 3 defense; early surprise of the draft could be Thieneman being the first S off the board (R1)
R1, PICK 30: WR Denzel Boston, Washington
The Dolphins have yet to address the “building from the inside out” in this mock, but this pick certainly addresses size and would not be a reach.
Boston is the beefiest top-flight receiver in this draft and would give Malik Willis a reliable target with great hands who can go up and get it on contested balls. He would also immediately become Miami’s top red zone receiving threat if selected.
Every time I turned on Washington in 2025, he was making plays; big at 6-3 5/8, 212 with 9 ¾-inch hands+; 62 receptions for 881 yards (14.2) and 11 TDs in ’25; four drops in four years at Washington++; good burst out of his cuts and good short-area quickness for his size; large catch radius; literally boxes out corners for balls in the end zone; runs nice routes and will be tough to press; quarterback friendly; he is fluid enough at his size to play inside or outside (X); speed is not high end, concern is it will be low end at combine (he chose not to run at combine or pro day, so he‘ is likely relatively slow’s living on his film); posted a 35-inch vertical; NFL ready frame; the tape is good; a good, physical fit in Miami; no notable injury or personal history issues
R2, PICK 39*: OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona St.
There were a few tough choices here but in Iheanachor, the Dolphins get a player with low miles they can move to right guard while preparing him for his next step and a potential future hole at right tackle as Austin Jackson enters the final year of his contract.
6-6, 330 with 33 7/8-inch arms; despite length, lacks an effective punch and let’s pass rushers get into his frame more than he should; looks green, which makes sense – he didn’t start playing football until he was 19; family is from Nigeria and he grew up playing soccer and basketball (a huge plus actually); takes poor angles in inside run, blocking defenders’ wrong half at times; sometimes looks like he’s blocking without a plan; isn’t lazy at all and gets after it when he locks in on somebody; good feet, good mirroring skills; no shortage of NFL traits but I bet it takes him 2-3 years; could be upper-echelon starter if he cleans up technique and really just gets more natural and comfortable in the game; 4.91 40-yard dash (1.73), 9-7 broad, 30½-inch vertical all show elite athleticism at 330 pounds; think he’s going to be a baller in time; there is a question about his actual age that may concern Dolphins; move him to guard at first, while he’ll have tackle flexibility for sure
R2, PICK 43: EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois
This may be a little high for Jacas based on mocks, but the reality is if you look at the prospects of this draft, there’s little chance there isn’t a run on edge rushers, probably starting a few slots down from the Dolphins first pick (11).
Jacas (pronounced ACK-us) recently put up some strong numbers at Illinois Pro Day (see below), and he offers the size to handle either the LEO side or the defensive end side in Hafley’s scheme.
Also, I’m a big fan of former wrestlers along the line of scrimmage.
6-3 ½, 260 with 33-inch arms and has a lot of burst off the edge; ran a 4.69 40 at his Pro Day and had near-elite 1.64 10-yard split (burst); 20 sacks and 42 hurries in the last two years; arms seem long the way he plays, but I’m not sure they actually are (33 inches); handles the run pretty well and is a physical force in pass rush; a bit of a long strider which doesn’t help him in short-space/change of direction; overall, moves well for his size; best move is at the tackles outside shoulder; could be better at block-shedding; variety of pass rush moves and uses his arms well, especially his rip/underhook move; pretty relentless; has some experience dropping into coverage which Hafley would like; when he gets to somebody, he hammers them; could tone it down slightly and probably be a better tackler overall; plays a tad high; has a good combination of bend and power; forced six fumbles in his career; freakish combine bench – 33 reps/225
R3, PICK 75: DL Kaleb Proctor, SE Lousiana
Small-schooler who is drawing a lot of attention from a good number of teams according to reports. Proctor’s tape looks great and as it relates to Miami, he probably has enough juice to play defensive end and enough strength to be inside on passing downs.
The first of several prospects in this mock with “hybrid” capabilities, positional versatility is something that will be sought out of Dolphins’ defensive draft picks.
6-2, 291 with 33-inch arms and outstanding movement skills; 4.79 40 (1.68 10-yard split) with a 33-inch vertical and and 4.71 shuttle helped him to the 4th best combine athletic score among DTs; he’s definitely quick enough to play outside; 43 tackles, 9 sacks and 13 TFLs last year; crazy movement skills; more I think about it, could be a weapon in a system like Miami’s where movement skills on a lineman means versatility; not the typical size profile JES would likely go after, but he is if he lines up as an end; could legitimately go from a 9 tech to a 3 and back; 6 tackles and 2 sacks at LSU in 2025; somebody could fall in love and move up for this guy
R3, PICK 87: CB Julian Neal, Arkansas
One of my favorite cornerbacks in the draft for the Dolphins based on his physical profile and where he is projected to be selected, Neal offers the size Miami covets in its defensive backs.
Neal would likely man the short side of the field, where his skills of utilizing the sideline as an extra defender, his length and athleticism would serve him well.
6-2, 203 and long; long-looking arms (32 ¾-inches at combine) and physical but also good in the air on contracted balls; transferred from Fresno State; former basketball player; press coverage skills; good at re-routing receivers; has fluid hips and is a strong tackler; real strong hands; could use some refinement but unlike most, he’s great playing with his back to the ball as he is real good at covering and tracking at the same time; rarely caught face guarding; quick hips; good body control in the air and good physical awareness around receivers to stay within space without penalty; could probably be good in man or zone but man is what will get him paid; 4.49 40 (1.59 split), 40-inch vertical (6th among CB), 11-2 broad (1st), 16 reps (3rd); could be diamond in the rough of this class; good fit for Hafley defense
R3, PICK 90: LB/S Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
In the ’80s, somebody would tell you that you just drafted an undersized linebacker way too early in taking Louis in round three.
But for a defense in search of deception, a 6-0, 220-pound linebacker who can lineup as a stack linebacker and show blitz, while simultaneously being able to drop into coverage like a box corner — that’s ideal positional multiplicity, a tough pre-snap look for an opposing QB, and a fit for Hafley’s “Star” hybrid safety position.
Good in coverage and super instinctive; going to have a hard time finding a home in the NFL at LB imo because teams will run it in his direction; 6-0, 220; quick and has a good final burst to the ball carrier; played Will at Pitt; tweener but his hips are good and he’s a football player and again, coverage skills are excellent; what’s he going to do with a pro TE would be the concern at LB; doesn’t fit MIA stated profile for linebacker but if he runs well enough at the combine (he did: 4.53 with a 1.58 split, 39½-inch vertical, 10-9 broad jump); could definitely be a consideration at safety and would give a little desired versatility; probably an excellent future special teamer; 24 TFLs, six interceptions and 10 sacks in the last two years so he could sim or come on blitz and be believable, while also being able to drop off and cover the box; Hafley would like versatility; could probably handle a combination of off-ball and the “Star” hybrid safety position
R3, PICK 94: WR Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
There is no question that Lane, throughout the process, seems to be falling in the same draft range, and that’s good for Miami.
The pick doesn’t so much address the Dolphins’ Z position, as pick 30 Boston is also an X, but it continues the size-rebuild of the team’s wide receiver room.
6-4, 200; looks wirey but his game is probably a better match for MIA than his teammate’s (Lemon); tall but still goes higher up the ladder on contested balls++; huge catch radius; if he can get clean releases as a pro he’ll be tough to defend on outs; isn’t particularly speedy but does run well once he gets going and can find his way through traffic for extra yards; big hands, long arms is what shows up on tape; uses his hands well to create separation from the DB when the ball arrives; has the traits you’d want in an X, or at least in short yardage/red zone situation; not going to break a lot of tackles; 32 5/8-inch arms; I like the guy, underrated; killed the combine – 4.47 40-yard dash with a 40-inch vertical will spell trouble for corners; broke his foot prior to last season and played limited reps toward the end of the season, seemed healthy at the combine
R4, PICK 130: LB Trey Moore, Texas
Moore is a player who has a pretty wide projected draft range in looking at different mocks and prospect rankings. Like some others, he can seem like a ‘tweener,’ but he offers a different type look out of Hafley’s linebacker than what Louis does.
Louis can cover and play off-ball in the middle of the field but Moore’s strength is he is an adept pass rusher also capable of filling off-ball duties in the run game. Teams who view him as an edge will not rate him as high, but he is another great fit for Hafley, likely at WLB.
Another potential hybrid addition; 6-1 1/2, 243; played edge at UTSA before transferring to UT; moved to weakside linebacke; sub-standard arms (31 5/8 inches) for an edge, which some teams have him listed; ran a 4.54 40-yard dash with a 38 1/2-inch vertical and a 10-0 broad jump, Texas used him more off-ball last year; looks longer on film than his measurements; good in pursuit but also has strong pass rush skills; strong tackler who plays big but also fast; 30.5 career sacks between UT and UTSA; 140 pressures across five college seasons; one of the best Hafley WLB fits in this draft
R5, PICK 151: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
There have to be reasons a guy with Davis’ traits ends up this low, and there are. He has had injury issues and missed some time at Washington in 2025. His junior year at Arizona was sub-par. Furthermore, he has a bad habit of drifting on who he’s covering.
But at pick 151, cornerbacks who look and move like Davis are rare.
Hurt 5+ games and looked like his transfer efforts a bust after a sub-par previous season at Arizona, but was real productive in the time he did play; first noticed at Arizona in ’23 when he had a strong season, 15 PBUs; real long (6-4, 194, 33 3/8-inch arms++) and specializes in man coverage; 19 tackles, two interceptions and three PBUs; loses receivers mid-route sometimes but seems to have surprisingly good recovery speed; 40 time will be a big deal (4.41, impressive); instinctive in his breaks; short area quickness not so great; could be very good but needs a lot of work and not likely a day 1 starter; high ceiling; solid tackler; size will be of great interest in MIA; needs to tighten up but could be good; you gamble on him because of the ridiculous height in hopes it pays off
R7, PICK 227: G Caden Barnett, Wyoming
Barnett is a double-down on competition at guard, something Miami desperately needs. His length is pretty good, as his athleticism, but its his nickname that will make him a star.
6-3 ½, 316 with 33 3/8-inch arms; started his career at tackle and switched to right guard, where he looks very good; better run blocker than in pass pro which is why he was moved inside (does fine with help); movement skills posted at the combine were all elite – 1.73 10-yard split, 4.55 short shuttle and 7.85 3-cone; shows plenty of play strength and loves to finish; hands can get outside at times in pass pro; good at mirroring; has a few whiffs on his resume when dealing with quicker/faster players but is pretty good out in space downfield; good drive blocker and good at combos/switches; needs some technical refinement but think he can be a good backup at minimum; combination of good frame, decent length and athleticism; nickname is the Vanilla Gorilla
R7, PICK 238: WR J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
Sturdivant is a player I think suffered a little from not making a name at one place and sticking it out. He started at UCLA and Cal, then transferred to Florida, a place with a pretty stagnant offense under outgoing coach Billy Napier.
Sturdivant is huge (6-3, 207) and can fly.
Big and was able to get downfield in an offense that struggled much of ’25; 6-3, 207, also played at UCLA and Cal; has good hands and runs pretty well but is not as physical as you’d like at that size; don’t know what his 40 time or 10-yard split will be because his burst seems average, but he’s fast and a bit of a gilder once he gets going and does beat people deep; definitely shows separation speed at the top of routes; career: 150 receptions, 2,052 yards (13.8 avg.) and 16 touchdowns; had 65 catches his freshman year at Cal; short area quickness not as good as long speed; has potential to be a starter if he can become a more detailed route runner because it would magnify his speed; hands are pretty good but he’s had concentration drops;; combine results – 4.40 40-yard dash (elite for his size) with a 1.54 split; 39-inch vertical with a 10-11 broad jump projects explosiveness and lower-body strength; almost 33-inch arms; UF offense may have actually hurt his draft stock; could be a bargain
PRIORITY UDFAs
Here are a few priority UDFAs with ACR draftable grades who were not selected and should (hypothetically) be considered early by Miami:
LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
S Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
G Micah Morris, Georgia
NOTE: The mock simulator I used was Mock Draft Database, since it pulls information from other mock drafts to compile its list. The boards do seem to be changing but there is no telling how close to reality the other picks are.
Aqua & Coral Report 