With the 11th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select . . .<\/p>\n
The Dolphins are expected to take a cornerback, edge rusher or offensive lineman with their top pick in next week\u2019s first round. But they have several other holes to fill<\/a> with their 11 picks in the draft.<\/p>\n Miami has two first-round picks<\/a> (Nos. 11 and 30), one second (No. 43), four in the third (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94), one fourth (No. 130), one fifth (No. 151), and two seventh-rounders (Nos. 227 and 238).<\/p>\n Here is the South Florida Sun Sentinel\u2019s analysis of how the Dolphins may address each position in the draft:<\/p>\n Quarterback<\/p>\n The Dolphins have their starter in Malik Willis, the free-agent signee from Green Bay. And they have a backup candidate in Quinn Ewers. The big question is whether Miami drafts a quarterback in the first three rounds. Even after signing Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract, with $45 million guaranteed, it\u2019s still not out of the question \u2014 and may even be probable \u2014 that the Dolphins draft another quarterback.<\/p>\n Wide receiver<\/p>\n Miami acquired Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell and returns promising youngster Malik Washington, and together they form the top WRs. But they are all, at best, probably No. 3 WRs. The Dolphins need a No. 1 and No. 2 WR, at least, after moving on from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. WR must be addressed<\/a> early in next week\u2019s NFL draft.<\/p>\n Running back<\/p>\n Miami has drafted a running back in each of the past three years (De\u2019Von Achane<\/a>, Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II). On the other hand, the current regime didn\u2019t draft Wright or Gordon, and both were decent, but not great, last season. Could the Dolphins make it four running backs in four drafts, infusing some serious competition to be the No. 2 behind Achane?<\/p>\n Tight end<\/p>\n The Dolphins have two starting candidates at tight end \u2014 Greg Dulcich, the receiver (26 receptions, 335 yards, 1 TD last season), and Ben Sims, the blocker (581 career snaps in three years for Green Bay and Minnesota). But neither is an experienced starter, so general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley will almost certainly seek training camp competition<\/a> for each role. Miami has some intriguing names on its depth chart, but none that rise to the level of deterring the team from finding a talented rookie tight end.<\/p>\n Offensive line<\/p>\n Miami returns four starters (center Aaron Brewer, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, left tackle Patrick Paul and right tackle Austin Jackson), signed at least one candidate for the fifth starter in Jamaree Salyer, and has backup center Andrew Meyer. Still, the Dolphins will look for a starting right guard and possible competition to start at right tackle and left guard. Miami is likely to draft several offensive linemen, hoping a potential future right tackle could be found or viable guard options.<\/p>\n Defensive back<\/p>\n The Dolphins need it all \u2014 outside cornerbacks, nickel\/slot cornerbacks and safeties \u2014 and they need both starters and reserves. It\u2019s highly plausible the Dolphins bring in one of the draft\u2019s top cornerbacks, as early as their top selection, the No. 11 pick in the first round. LSU\u2019s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee\u2019s Jermod McCoy are in play there. Miami could go for a safety with one of its seven selections in the first two days of the draft, which cover Rounds 1-3. With so many premium positions to address, safety may not be the first pick at 11, unless Ohio State\u2019s Caleb Downs is there for the taking as a true best-player-available choice.<\/p>\n Inside linebacker<\/p>\n Miami is OK at starting inside linebacker. The Dolphins return Jordyn Brooks, an All Pro, and Tyrel Dodson, the \u201cgreen dot\u201d player, meaning the guy with the green dot on the back of his helmet, signifying he gets the play calls from coaches. Miami will likely find another linebacker in the draft. With greater needs at premium positions like cornerback, edge rusher and wide receiver, it would seem unlikely an early selection results in a linebacker, though.<\/p>\n Edge rusher\/outside linebacker<\/p>\n