This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 12:19 PM.<\/p>\n
Based on their public comments, the Dolphins have identified two building blocks on their offensive line: left tackle Patrick Paul and center Aaron Brewer. Austin Jackson also will stick around as a starter at right tackle, at least for another year.<\/p>\n
That means the Dolphins hope to draft and develop a handful of players on a unit that they\u2019re determined to construct into a tough, physical group that can win in cold weather and hold its own against formidable, physical offensive lines.<\/p>\n
Guard Jonah Savaiinaea will have a chance to compete, but nothing will be gifted him now that his biggest advocate (Chris Grier) has been jettisoned. Former Chargers tackle\/guard Jamaree Salyer will have every chance to win the right guard spot.<\/p>\n
The likelihood is that Miami will take at least one offensive linemen among its first seven picks (11, 30, 43, 75, 87, 90, 94).<\/p>\n
Breaking down the possibilities into three categories:<\/p>\n
OPTIONS AT NO. 11<\/p>\n
\u25aa UM\u2019s Francis Mauigoa: While he could go as early as No. 3 to Arizona, there\u2019s at least a modest chance he could slip to the Dolphins; in fact, ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates have both mocked him to Miami at different points. Evaluators believe he can play right tackle or right guard.<\/p>\n
Yates, in his last March mock draft, said new Dolphins GM \u201cJon-Eric Sullivan has referenced building his roster from the inside out, and Mauigoa would be a big boost to an offensive line that needs it. Miami ranked 24th in pass block win rate and 29th in run block win rate last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cMauigoa is a steady, well-built pass protector with raw power and the ability to get to the second level. Right tackle Austin Jackson recently agreed to a reduced and restructured contract that\u2019s over after next season, so Mauigoa could slide in there eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n
NFL Network\u2019s Daniel Jeremiah said Mauigoa \u201cshould immediately be a dominant run blocker in the NFL, and he has the skill set to be functional in pass protection.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport, Mauigoa is returning to the site of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday for \u201cadditional imaging on a minor back issue that caused him some discomfort late in the season, sources say. Mauigoa started 42 straight games in college, and upon full professional consultation is not considered a candidate for immediate surgery. He did perform fully at his Pro Day and currently is symptom-free. But some teams have asked for additional testing on a disk issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
[Update: NFL Network\u2019s Mike Garofolo reported Thursday afternoon that \u201cMauigoa\u2019s recheck is complete, with no new issues or concerns, source says. After the request for a recheck was made in early March, Mauigoa met\/visited with teams in the top third of the first round, an sign of his confidence any concerns would be satisfied.\u201d]<\/p>\n
\u25aa Penn State\u2019s Olaivavega Ioane: The Nittany Lions guard hasn\u2019t given up a sack in the past two seasons and is \u201ca great combination of power and agility,\u201d Kiper said.<\/p>\n
Drafting a guard at 11 is generally unsatisfying, but he would be an option if the Dolphins trade down a bit from 11. It seems unlikely he would be on the board with Miami\u2019s pick at No. 30. He hasn\u2019t been scheduled for a Dolphins 30 visit, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean anything. Many clean prospects of interest to teams don\u2019t get invited in for visits.<\/p>\n
\u201cIoane was a dominant presence at left guard,\u201d Jeremiah said. \u201cOverall, I love Ioane\u2019s temperament, toughness and ability to anchor. He\u2019ll be an impact starter from Day 1.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yates rates him the 14th-best player in the draft. \u201cHe was exceedingly reliable at Penn State, meaning he could be a plug-and-play starter,\u201d Yates said.<\/p>\n
\u25aa Utah tackle Spencer Fano: He started at left tackle as a freshman and moved to right tackle the past two years. Fano has been projected to go anywhere from five to the mid-to-late-teens. Yates mocks him 14th.<\/p>\n
Jeremiah said \u201cFano lacks length and is still developing as a pass protector, but he\u2019s an explosive people mover with upside.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa Georgia\u2019s Monroe Freeling: He\u2019s projected for Miami\u2019s range, but this wouldn\u2019t make sense because Freeling is a natural left tackle and Miami is set there with Paul.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has the most upside of any offensive lineman in this draft, with excellent size [6-7, 315 pounds] and athleticism (4.93-second 40-yard dash),\u201d Yates said. \u201cWith only 18 starts under his belt, Freeling would need time to develop into a left tackle at the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n
OPTIONS IN A TRADE-DOWN FROM 11 OR 30<\/p>\n
I would put Penn State\u2019s Ioane in this group. Also:<\/p>\n
\u25aa Clemson\u2019s Blake Miller: Jeremiah\u2019s No. 24 overall prospect \u201chas ideal size, length and strength for the position… He has the ideal profile for a starting NFL right tackle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiper mocks him 29th but said he can play only right tackle: \u201cMiller has 54 career starts, and his game just keeps growing on me. In pass protection, he stays square and handles most pass-rush moves with ease. And as a run blocker, he can get to the second level to spring big gains.\u201d Yates mocks him 38th.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa Alabama\u2019s Kaydyn Proctor: All 40 of his college starts came at left tackle, but a move to guard isn\u2019t out of the question. Either way, left tackle is one of very few spots where Miami doesn\u2019t need a better starter. He\u2019s considered a polarizing prospect.<\/p>\n
Kiper: \u201cProctor\u2019s tape is all over the place. The highs are really, really good. The lows raise a lot of questions. But in the right situation, he could become a standout tackle in the NFL.\u201d Jeremiah said he \u201chas the most upside of any blocker in this draft.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa Utah\u2019s Kaleb Lomu: He started at left tackle for Utah, with top-10 prospect Fano playing right tackle.<\/p>\n
Lomu isn\u2019t the prospect that Fano is because \u201cin pass protection, he has average foot quickness and plays a little upright\u201d and because \u201che lacks knock-back power\u201d in the run game, as Jeremiah said.<\/p>\n
Yates mocks him 24th, noting: \u201cLomu did not surrender a sack in 2025, but he must become a more physically formed tackle with improved strength at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds. Lomu is a balanced pass protector and an accurate striker in the running game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami would need to feel confident he could play right tackle.<\/p>\n
OPTIONS AT NO. 43 OR IN A TRADE-DOWN FROM 43<\/p>\n
\u25aa Iowa guard\/tackle Gennings Dunker: His versatility could make him appealing to Miami, which values that. Yates mocks him 54th, adding: \u201cDunker has college experience at right tackle predominantly and both guard spots; he surrendered zero sacks in 2025. There is not a team in the NFL with adequate offensive line depth, so adding to this room is important.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor: Yates mocks him 48th. He impressed at the Senior Bowl, and it\u2019s a toss-up if he\u2019s there at 43. Jeremiah said \u201cin the run game, he has knock-back power. It might take a little time, but Iheanachor has the raw tools to develop into a high-level starter.\u201d But Kiper said he plays only one position; Miami likes versatile linemen.<\/p>\n
\u25aa Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis: Yates mocks him 37th. NFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein said he\u2019s \u201ca tough, well-schooled guard. In general, his protection meets the mark and pairs nicely with his run blocking. Bisontis projects as a future starter with plenty of upside.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa Georgia guard Keylan Rutledge: Yates mocks him 35th, adding: \u201cIf your goal is to get tougher in this draft, good luck finding a player that fits that bill better than Rutledge. The physical, grading guard personified what was a hard-nosed, relentless program at Georgia Tech.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa Among other potential Day 2 tackles: Northwestern\u2019s Caleb Tiernan (Yates mocks him 51st), Texas A&M\u2019s Dametrious Crownover, Oregon\u2019s Isaiah World, Florida\u2019s Austin Barber and Boise State\u2019s Cage Kasey.<\/p>\n
\u25aa Among other potential Day 2 guards: Oregon\u2019s Emmanuel Pregnon (Yates mocks him 55th), Notre Dame\u2019s Billy Schrauth, Texas\u2019 BJ Campbell, Oregon\u2019s Alex Harkey, Iowa\u2019s Beau Stephens, Texas A&M\u2019s Ar\u2019maj Reed-Adams, UCLA\u2019s Garrett Digiorgio, Alabama\u2019s Jaden Roberts and Kentucky\u2019s Jalen Farmer.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s my Thursday piece<\/a> with details about Washington receiver Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who are both visiting Dolphins headquarters.<\/p>\n This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 12:19 PM.<\/p>\n
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