Enough readers expressed after 7-Round Dolphins Mock 2.0 that they aren’t fans of a mock draft that involves trades — and I agree.
In response, I went back and re-selected the whole thing, same rules except no trades.
MOCK DRAFT 2.01
The board fell different this time but no complaints here.
Below are the draft picks with limited commentary. For a full rundown/bio on each, check back in with @AquaCoralRep on Twitter some time in the 10:00 ET hour as the 2026 ACR Draft Guide will be unveiled. Also, feel free to chime in with your thoughts on the revised mock.
R1, PICK 11: OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Note: Best offensive lineman in the draft from where we sit, he’ll start off somewhere inside and go from there. Will have positional versatility.
R1, PICK 30: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
Note: Parker seems to be slipping in post-NFL Owners Meetings prognostications. Don’t care. Nothing has changed and Parker would give the Dolphins a complete player.
R2, PICK 43: EDGE Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Note: Got to double down on a pick from Mock 2.0, and on the edge position. Started the draft feeling a little shabby but now possibly pretty strong and diverse.
R3, PICK 75: DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
Note: Rolling the dice a little because his size profile is not what CM Jon-Eric Sullivan has described being in search of. But Halton is something different from every other interior defender Miami has and is a backfield disruptor. Also, his athleticism could offer positional versatility.
R3, PICK 87: WR Bryce Lance, NDSU
Note: Admittedly a tad nervous not having landed a receiver yet. Added one who resembles a former Green Bay pick and pretty darn solid pro — Christian Watson.
R3, PICK 90: CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Note: Just like WR, a little tardy in getting started at the weakest position on the roster, but one of the better depth positions in the draft. Lee is a good press corner.
R3, PICK 94: CB Julian Neal, Arkansas
Note: Another cornerback and another system fit who was selected in Mock 2.0.
R4, PICK 130: DL Kaleb Proctor, SE Lousiana
Note: This one is kinda like a glitch in the matrix because he was going off the board WAY earlier in Mock 2.0, using the exact same draft simulator with the exact same settings. Either way, “send it in.”
R5, PICK 151: S VJ Payne, Kansas State
Note: One of my favorite players in the draft, respective to draft range. Lengthy front end safety who could handle Hafley’s “Star” position, as well as sneak into a pass down linebacker role.
R7, PICK 227: G Caden Barnett, Wyoming
Notes: Same player, same spot as 2.0
R7, PICK 238: WR Vinny Anthony II, Wisconsin
Notes: Banking on an athletic sleeper who had poor numbers … because he played in one of the worst pass offenses in college football.
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 