{"id":246405,"date":"2026-04-25T17:01:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T17:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/246405\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T17:01:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T17:01:12","slug":"examining-how-the-miami-dolphins-first-three-rounds-are-being-viewed-nationally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/246405\/","title":{"rendered":"Examining How the Miami Dolphins&#8217; First Three Rounds Are Being Viewed Nationally"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6i\">The NFL Draft is on its third day, with the Miami Dolphins getting ready to attempt to add some key pieces to their team as they dive face first into rebuilding mode under their new regime.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6l\">How is Miami\u2019s draft being viewed nationally? From Kadyn Proctor all the way down, here is a look at some national perspectives on Jon-Eric Sullivan\u2019s first draft as the man in charge.<\/p>\n<p>NFL.com \u2013 Chad Reuter<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6r\">Reuter gave the Dolphins a B for their first round which included offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and defensive back Chris Johnson.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6u\">\u201cThe Dolphins continued hoarding draft picks, grabbing two fifth-rounders from Dallas to slide down one spot, from No. 11 to No. 12,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/2026-nfl-draft-first-round-grades-for-all-32-picks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Reuter wrote.<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">\u201cIt was a smart move, because they would have known the defense-needy Cowboys were likely to leave the massive, powerful Proctor on the board to fill in at guard or right tackle for Miami. Proctor&#8217;s final season at Alabama did not start out well, but he made enough progress through the season and evaluation process to earn fans among scouts.\u201d <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">Of course, the opportunity cost for one spot cost the Dolphins to draft Caleb Downs, someone who was widely considered one of the best players in the draft. Reuter touched on that as well. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">\u201cProctor&#8217;s career will surely be compared to that of Downs,\u201d Reuter said. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">&#8220;Will the extra two fifth-rounders prove to be sufficient compensation for passing on one of the top defenders in college football over the past three years?\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"79\">Moving into the second day of the draft, Reuter was high on Miami\u2019s choices of here pass catchers and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/2026-nfl-draft-day-2-grades-every-pick\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> which also earned them a solid B grade form Reuter.<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Of all the picks, he was most skeptical about Rodriguez, noting though that he is still a solid player to anchor the middle of their defense.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7f\">\u201cLinebacker wasn&#8217;t among the Dolphins&#8217; biggest needs, and taking a receiver like Germie Bernard\u00a0or an edge like\u00a0Derrick Moore could have improved those parts of the depth chart,\u201d Reuter said. \u201cThat said, Rodriguez is an athletic playmaker who is all over the field and willing to take the ball away from running backs and receivers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>CBS Sports \u2013 Carter Bahns<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7l\">Of all the grades we evaluated, CBS was the highest on what Miami so far through the two days of the draft. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7o\">Carter Bahns gave the Dolphins an A- for their work, with each of their first three picks earning an A grade from him, and their most recent pick, wide receiver Chris Bell, earning high marks as well.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7r\">The only low mark they received was the 75th overall pick they used on Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7u\">\u201cThe Dolphins signed what might be their franchise quarterback in Malik Willis in free agency, and now they have more protection for him in the form of Kadyn Proctor,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/draft\/news\/nfl-draft-2026-team-grades\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bahns said. <\/a>\u201cHe was a polarizing prospect in the pre-draft process because of his size &#8212; a major asset that could also limit him if he isn&#8217;t able to play at a manageable weight. If Miami gets the best version of him, he can stick at left tackle and become a building block of this rebuild.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7x\">Bahns was equally as excited about what the Dolphins added to their defense early in the draft.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"80\">\u201cOn defense, Chris Johnson could be a lockdown corner for years to come, while Jacob Rodriguez was the best defensive player in college football last year. That&#8217;s a pretty exciting pair of players,\u201d Bahns said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"83\">Of course, not everything is perfect, and the selection of Caleb Douglas looks polarizing. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"86\">\u201cThe first whiff of Miami&#8217;s draft came in Round 3 with the Caleb Douglas pick. Renner called it &#8220;one of the biggest reaches of the draft so far, not only on my board, but also on the consensus board where he was outside the top-200,\u201d Bahns said. <\/p>\n<p>SI \u2013 Matt Verderame<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8c\">Like each of the first two publications mentioned, Sports Illustrated\u2019s Matt Verderame graded each individual pick, and it was a bit of a mixed bag from a Dolphins\u2019 perspective. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8f\">In the first round, Verderame gave the Dolphins a B for the selection of Proctor. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8i\">\u201cThe Dolphins are in full rebuild mode, and Miami is trying to start that process in the trenches. Proctor will start immediately in front of newly acquired quarterback Malik Willis while creating run lanes for star back De\u2019Von Achane. Provided he\u2019s fully committed to being his best, Proctor has immense potential.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/2026-nfl-draft-https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/2026-nfl-draft-day-2-grades-every-pickday-2-grades-every-pick\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Verderame said. <\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8l\">He was higher on the Dolphins second first round pick, defensive back Chris Johnson, giving that pick an A-minus. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8o\">\u201cAfter selecting Proctor with their first pick, the Dolphins began their defensive overhaul under coach Jeff Hafley with Johnson. The former Aztecs star joins what is arguably the worst defensive backs room in the league, giving Miami someone who can contend with Garrett Wilson and DJ Moore in the AFC East.\u201d Verderame said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8r\">Moving to Day two, while some publications were higher on the selection of Jacob Rodriguez in the second round, Verderame was not as high, giving that pick a C-plus.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-28\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8u\">\u201cMiami added San Diego State corner Chris Johnson in the first round, and addressed the second level early on Day 2 with Rodriguez. The Dolphins now have a long-term piece to play alongside Jordyn Brooks, who registered a league-high 183 tackles (99 solo) last season.\u201d Verderame said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-29\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8x\">The last three picks of the second day earned a B, C-Plus, and A, respectively. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-30\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"90\">The pick that is the most interesting here is the selection of Caleb Douglas. That pick has been polarizing in the aftermath of the pick, but Verderame sees the vision that Jon-Eric Sullivan and his staff must see. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-31\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"93\">\u201cDouglas will have a chance to play ample snaps. Miami released Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle this offseason to start rebuilding the offense. After spending two productive years with the Red Raiders, Douglas will go to work with Malik Willis,\u201d Verderame said. <\/p>\n<p>ESPN \u2013 Mel Kiper Jr. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-33\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"99\">The godfather of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft2026\/story\/_\/id\/48547336\/2026-nfl-draft-kiper-rounds-2-3-winners-losers-value-picks-updates-best-available\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> NFL Draft coverage<\/a> did not give out grades in a traditional sense. He did praise the Dolphins for some of their picks, notably second round choice Jacob Rodriguez, but mentioned the Dolphins as making a pick that he had some questions about. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-34\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9c\">That skepticism, to little surprise, went to third round pick Caleb Douglas.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-35\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9f\">I didn&#8217;t have issues with most of Miami&#8217;s picks on the night. Linebacker\u00a0Jacob Rodriguez\u00a0is going to be great for that defense, and Chris Bell has first-round traits if healthy. But the Dolphins&#8217; other receiver pick was a big, big reach,\u201d Kiper said. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-36\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9i\">\u201cCaleb Douglas went No. 75. He was my WR24. Thirteen receivers ranked above him were still out there. For a team with Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert topping the depth chart right now, the Dolphins had to do better there. Bell can become an impact receiver, but he&#8217;s coming off a\u00a0torn ACL<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\">Follow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NFL Draft is on its third day, with the Miami Dolphins getting ready to attempt to add&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":246406,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[123,125,124],"class_list":["post-246405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-miami","tag-miami","tag-miami-headlines","tag-miami-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246405\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}