Part 1 of a Miami Dolphins On SI mailbag on this first weekend of April 2026:<\/p>\n
From Sandro Van Lizard:<\/p>\n
If their college quality play translates to the NFL, which two non-QB 2026 draftees will improve the Dolphins offense the most?<\/p>\n
Hey Sandro, if we\u2019re basing prospects on college production, then we\u2019d have to go here with Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love (even though he\u2019d be redundant with Achane on the roster) and then maybe we could make a case for USC WR Makai Lemon.<\/p>\n
From Brandon Quinn:<\/p>\n
If Mauigoa, Styles, Downs or Delane aren\u2019t on the board, the move is to trade down to about 18-22 and try to nab Jermod McCoy, Freeling, Ioane, Fano or Kayden Proctor, right? I\u2019m crossing my\u00a0fingers that somehow Styles or Downs\u00a0drops to us.\u00a0But if feel like Delane and McCoy are close enough, and the other 4 O-Line guys are close enough to Mauigoa (not to mention Caleb Lomu, who I\u2019ve seen get mocked in the 2nd to us a couple times) that I\u2019d hate to waste pick 11 on one of them. Trade down a few spots and maybe pick up a 2nd or 3rd next year, and still get what I see as a really deep O-line and secondary help. Thoughts and or criticism?<\/p>\n
Hey Brandon, my first thought when I see this kind of suggestion \u2014 which I like, mind you \u2014\u00a0is how easy is it going to be to find a team willing to give up a valuable asset to move up to 11? Your premise does make a lot of sense and what the Dolphins need to do is identify who they feel are the real blue-chippers in this draft; if one is available at 11, take him; if not, try to trade down.<\/p>\n
From Jim Flax:<\/p>\n
Hi Alain, if Rueben Bain slips to 11 likely due to arm length issue, would you take him? Do you think Sullivan would?<\/p>\n
Hey Jim, if Bain is available at 11, it absolutely will be because of arm length and measurables (not the fastest lineman) and I\u2019m going to maintain my stance that the Dolphins cannot afford to take risks in this draft no matter how high the ceiling of a player or how much he dominated in college. So I would pass. I think the Dolphins also would pass because Green Bay had a type at defensive end and Bain doesn\u2019t fit that.<\/a><\/p>\n From Sean Beachem:<\/p>\n I am very concerned about the two guard positions next year. What is GM Alain’s preference: draft two T\/Gs, one to start and one to compete with Savai, or draft one T\/G to start and sign one later to compete? Do you think Savai is starting regardless?<\/p>\n Hey Sean, I don\u2019t think Savaiinaea is guaranteed a starting job, first of all, though he will be given every opportunity to keep his spot at left guard. Since the Dolphins are in full rebuild mode, they should be looking at the long term, so I\u2019d prefer two draft picks on the O-line rather than plugging in a veteran later who might not be around in 2027 or 2028.<\/p>\n From Jason Kirkland:<\/p>\n Hi Alain, I hope your week of birthdays and your anniversary was great. I think Willis will put up something similar to the following stats: 3,000 yards, 19TD\/9INT, 400 yards rushing and another 3 scores. What say you?<\/p>\n Hey Jason, first off, thanks, yes, did enjoy the week of birthdays and anniversary. And I\u2019d say that\u2019s a pretty good baseline for Willis, though I would hope for a few more TD passes.<\/p>\n From Jorge boyd:<\/p>\n Hi Alain, what is the difference between Bain and Mesidor, and can either of them be there at 11?<\/p>\n Hey Jorge, first off, Mesidor is almost a given to be available at 11 based on all the scouting reports, whereas Bain more likely will be gone. The differences between the two are that Bain was a more explosive player at the University of Miami and his physicality is what made him stand out. He\u2019s also been a difference-maker much longer than Mesidor, who really just started flashing last year. And Mesidor is old for an NFL prospect at 25.<\/p>\n From Dave Campbell:<\/p>\n Greetings Alain ! Hope all is well with you. Time to turn to draft season. I go back to the old saying of “Defense wins championships.\u201d Despite some folks going crazy about Dolphins needing a WR in Round 1, I’m pounding the table for defense for both Round 1 picks AND Round 2, and maybe 2 of the 4 in the 3rd. To me Miami’s defense has way more holes. Then look for a WR or 2. As for a QB, take a flier on Taylen Green in the 5th for development. Time to get measurements for a strait jacket or not yet? Looking forward to all the discussions on both All Dolphins and Dolphins Collective podcasts plus all great written work on Miami Dolphins SI.Com. Thanks for explaining all the OTA dates & Do’s and Don’ts of them.<\/p>\n