IN TOWN TONIGHT OVER AT THE MIAMI DOLPHINS FACILITY, YIANNI KOURAKIS STANDING BY YANNI. A BIG NIGHT FOR THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, ONE OF SIX TEAMS IN NFL WITH MULTIPLE PICKS IN THE FIRST ROUND TONIGHT. SHANE. JUST A HUGE NIGHT FOR THE MIAMI DOLPHINS. WHEN YOU CONSIDER THEY NEED TO REBUILD THIS WHOLE THING AFTER RIPPING IT DOWN TO THE STUDS, THEY HAVE A NEW GENERAL MANAGER, A NEW HEAD COACH AND A WHOLE LOT OF DRAFT PICKS TO HELP THAT CAUSE. 11 IN TOTAL, SEVEN IN THE FIRST 102 TONIGHT, SPECIFICALLY IN THE FIRST ROUND. NUMBER 11 AND NUMBER 30, I MENTIONED NEW GENERAL MANAGER JOHN ERIK SULLIVAN. HE’S THE MAN TASKED WITH THIS REBUILD. HE OF COURSE, COMES OVER FROM THE GREEN BAY PACKERS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT’S HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS DRAFTING AND DEVELOPING. HEAD COACH JEFF HAFLEY, ALSO FROM GREEN BAY. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THEY NEED TO HIT ON THIS DRAFT. THE DOLPHINS NEED IMPACTFUL PLAYERS, YOUNG PLAYERS AND PLAYERS ON ROOKIE CONTRACTS, AND SULLIVAN ADMITS THEY CAN PLAY RIGHT AWAY. WE’RE IN A SITUATION HERE WHERE THESE DRAFT PICKS ARE GOING TO COME IN AND THEY’RE GOING TO PLAY EARLY. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, AND WE, LIKE OUR PLAYERS, DON’T MISCONSTRUE WHAT I’M SAYING, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE A TON OF ESTABLISHED PLAYERS ON THIS TEAM. TUA TAGOVAILOA, TYREEK HILL, JAYLEN WADDLE, BRADLEY CHUBB AMONG THE BIG NAMES. DOLPHINS THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH THE TEAM AND ONLY TWO FIRST ROUND PICKS FROM THE DOLPHINS REMAIN ON THEIR CURRENT ROSTER FROM THE LAST TWO DRAFTS. CHOP, ROBINSON AND KENNETH GRANT MUCH MORE, WITH THE FINS COMING UP N
Miami Dolphins begin NFL draft with 11 picks under new leadership
Updated: 9:09 PM EDT Apr 23, 2026
The Miami Dolphins are entering the NFL draft with 11 picks, including two first-round selections at No. 11 and No. 30, as they aim to rebuild their roster under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. Sullivan and Hafley, who both came from Green Bay, bring experience from an organization with a strong history of drafting and developing players. Miami has stated it will draft the best player available rather than focusing on positional needs, though the team has clear areas requiring improvement, including the offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, and edge rusher positions. The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 NewsThe draft begins tonight with the first round, followed by rounds two and three on Friday. Miami holds the No. 43 pick in the second round and four third-round picks, making Friday a critical day for the team. The draft concludes Saturday with selections in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. Sullivan shared his thoughts on the type of player the Dolphins are seeking, saying, “Somebody or a player that comes in and impacts the team in a positive manner, and the expectation depends on where you take them. You never know; it’s not an exact science. Those premium picks, you expect them to perform.” Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Regarding the No. 11 pick, Sullivan added, “Yes, that No. 11 pick, you hope is a 10-15 year Pro Bowl-caliber player.” The Dolphins’ selections will be announced Thursday night, with updates to follow after the draft.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. —
The Miami Dolphins are entering the NFL draft with 11 picks, including two first-round selections at No. 11 and No. 30, as they aim to rebuild their roster under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley.
Getty ImagesCarmen Mandato
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 22: Miami Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross, and Head Coach Jeff Hafley pose for a photo during a press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex on January 22, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Sullivan and Hafley, who both came from Green Bay, bring experience from an organization with a strong history of drafting and developing players. Miami has stated it will draft the best player available rather than focusing on positional needs, though the team has clear areas requiring improvement, including the offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, and edge rusher positions.
The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 News
The draft begins tonight with the first round, followed by rounds two and three on Friday. Miami holds the No. 43 pick in the second round and four third-round picks, making Friday a critical day for the team. The draft concludes Saturday with selections in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds.
Sullivan shared his thoughts on the type of player the Dolphins are seeking, saying, “Somebody or a player that comes in and impacts the team in a positive manner, and the expectation depends on where you take them. You never know; it’s not an exact science. Those premium picks, you expect them to perform.”
Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Regarding the No. 11 pick, Sullivan added, “Yes, that No. 11 pick, you hope is a 10-15 year Pro Bowl-caliber player.”
The Dolphins’ selections will be announced Thursday night, with updates to follow after the draft.