As we get closer to the 2026 NFL draft, it becomes easier to narrow down which players will be on the board when the Miami Dolphins pick at 11th overall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At least, that\u2019s how it\u2019s supposed to work. This year\u2019s draft is unique in the sense that, outside of Fernando Mendoza going first overall, there\u2019s very little consensus about the order of players who will go after that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, we will do our best to rank the best possible \u201crealistic\u201d options for the Dolphins at pick 11 based on the information we have now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ranking Dolphins Best Options in 2026 NFL Draft1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State\u00a0<\/p>\n
Downs is my No. 1 overall player in this class, and he plays a position of need for the Dolphins. If he\u2019s on the board at 11 overall, he should be the pick.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, there\u2019s a chance he\u2019s not on the board, but given that he plays safety and isn\u2019t expected to dominate the combine, a fall outside of the top-10 isn\u2019t out of the question.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Downs is a smart, versatile, tough, and impressive playmaker on the backend. He would instantly make all three levels of the Dolphins\u2019 defense better. Plus, having safeties that can play multiple spots was integral to Jeff Hafley\u2019s defense in Green Bay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside linebacker is not one of the Dolphins\u2019 biggest needs. The team has an All-Pro in Jordyn Brooks and an OK starter in Tyrel Dodson. However, a solid player should not prevent you from selecting a great player, and Styles can be great.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a chance he\u2019s off the board, but Styles\u2019 instincts, size, and athleticism scream \u201celite linebacker.\u201d Pairing him with Brooks could give Hafley a better duo than the one he in Green Bay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Styles is a top-three player in this class, so getting him at 11 is a steal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3. Francis Mauioga, OL, Miami\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mauioga is another player who might not be on the board when the Dolphins pick at 11, but there\u2019s enough of a chance that he qualifies for this list.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Miami cut right guard James Daniels this week<\/a>, and Austin Jackson is heading into the final year of his contract. He\u2019s also been incredibly injury-prone throughout his career. While I like Mauioga\u2019s projection best at guard, he\u2019s a capable tackle.\u00a0<\/p>\n More importantly, he fits the tough, road-grading style that Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan say they want the offense to have. Whether it\u2019s at guard or tackle, the local product would make the Dolphins better upfront.\u00a0<\/p>\n 4. Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State\u00a0<\/p>\n Ioane\u2019s situation reminds me a good bit of Grey Zabel\u2019s from last year. A lot of people felt the Seattle Seahawks reached by taking Zabel 18th overall, but he was such a solid player and tone setter that it worked out.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ioane could do something similar for the Dolphins. He\u2019s the best pure guard in the class and showed excellent pass protection technique and run blocking power at Penn State last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n If the Dolphins are serious about building through the trenches, this is the type of pick to make.\u00a0<\/p>\n 5. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee\u00a0<\/p>\n McCoy is my top-rated cornerback in this class, and the upcoming NFL Combine is a big deal for him. McCoy missed all of last season with a knee injury, and although reports indicate he\u2019s healthy, his medical rechecks will be critical.\u00a0<\/p>\n If everything comes back good (or he tests at the combine), then McCoy can stand on his excellent 2024 tape. He\u2019s the best and most athletic coverage player in this class. His ball skills are also quite impressive.\u00a0<\/p>\n