The 2026 NFL Draft is open for business in two weeks and just like every other year, the closer it gets, the more dynamic things get.

With general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley‘s first big chance to put a stamp on what type of organization they want the Miami Dolphins to be as close as South Beach is to Miami Gardens, here’s the latest:

• This is definitely a different draft year. In a typical year, people start honing in on what the first round is bound to look like around this time, if not sooner. This year, it feels like there is a lot of uncertainty and fluctuation (very 2026, huh). Players who once seemed destined for the top or middle of the first round are now being mentioned near the bottom and second rounders are working their way up to the first. The reason is because there is no real line of delineation where talent falls off.
• Here’s where that all could benefit the Dolphins — many point to pick 10-12 as the region that a team real interested in a player who they think drops could want to pop in and make a pick. If Sullivan can trade out of pick 11 to pick up more, he will. And due to the lack of a true talent cliff, it would better-suit the team to have more cracks at it. I feel like the Cowboys are going to feel pressure to find an edge to replace Micah Parsons and somebody might want to hop them at 12.
• Draft weekend will be exciting with so many picks but if Miami is able to trade out of a 2026 for one/some in ’27, cheer it like they just took the best quarterback in the draft. Seriously.

• I may seem obsessed, but for the life of me can not see how edge T.J. Parker not only isn’t projected higher in this draft, but seems to actually be sliding according to the current consensus. Until somebody can provide an answer better than “he had a down year in 2025,” I won’t be convinced that he won’t be a dude. Almost 6-4, 263, he ran a 4.63 forty with a 1.61 split and his down year was five sacks and 9.5 TFLs. If he’s at 30, I don’t even fart around taking calls. Posting 21.5 sacks and 41.5 TFLs in three years suits me just fine — he’s a complete player.
• It’s probably no secret that there’s also an affinity on this side of the bright screen for Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Will keep it brief — the Dolphins will undeniably be either real young or not real good or both at cornerback in 2026. It is a high-pressure position in Hafley’s defense and a great deal is expected in terms of not getting beat with a deep ball. If there is a “weakness” in the scheme, that is kind of one. In Thieneman, the team would have a true deep safety and an eraser who ran a 4.35 and finds the football. He will get interceptions but more importantly to Miami, he would save touchdowns. It is a crucial piece of Hafley’s puzzle. The question is, how high does Thieneman go?
• Wide receiver is one of the deepest positions in the draft, along with cornerback. If Sullivan doesn’t feel motivated to take a receiver early, it would not surprise me. There is no Ja’Marr Chase in this draft. But there is a good amount of day two talent — enough that they could likely wait until their bevy of third-round picks, double down and do pretty well. Players who continually pop up in that range to consider — Bryce Lance (NDSU), Ja’Kobi Lane (USC), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana) and Ted Hurst (Georgia State). All have good size and tape.
• Do not expect the Dolphins to get too far beyond that pick at No. 30 to select an edge rusher. This year has some good edge players in the first and into the second round, but it is one position where the talent drops off pretty hard. Specifically, players with question marks start turning up and that will happen in the first half of round two. It would not be a surprise if a couple edge rushers being picked toward the middle third of the first round triggers a run that Miami will not want to watch happen empty-handed.
• There is no telling what will happen in the actual draft, but if these mocks and prognosticators are indication, there are a good number of players who are pegged for late day three I think are way better than that. Among them: CB Andre Fuller (Toledo), TE Marlin Klein (Michigan), DT Deven Eastern (Minnesota) and LB Trey Moore (Texas). Fuller and Moore, in particular, are players whose film is very good and in Fuller’s case, I literally can not figure out the weakness. Both are day two-type talent and if they make the fifth round it’s a bargain, nevermind letting them drop to round six or seven.
• The lack of enthusiasm about WR Denzel Boston (Washington) among Miami faithful is mildly perplexing. Understood he isn’t a burner, but there are dynamic parts of his game unrelated to speed. Will be surprised if he makes it out of round one.
• I did try to watch DT Uar Bernard after Bruce Feldman helped introduce the world to him but for the life of me could not find anything to watch. He is entering the draft through the International Pathway Program via Nigeria and may well be the first player drafted (I am aware of) with zero college or high school experience.
• Finally, a big thanks to everyone who cracked open the Aqua & Coral Report 2026 Dolphins Draft Guide. I deleted my Twitter account a few years back and with the encouragement of a friend, decided to put what I was sharing with him over the years about the draft out there, started this site last June. I later gave back in to Twitter and am building this thing grass roots. I don’t make money and don’t really care. It helps keep me sane to work my brain. Again, I appreciate the reader.