Dolphins 'ideal' first round involves zero WRs, instead two defensive backs

Coming off the 2025 season, the Miami Dolphins gutted their roster amid a head coach and general manager change. Jeff Hafley is taking over as the head coach, as the former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator now runs an NFL team.

Amid the major roster teardown, the trade of Jaylen Waddle and the release of Tyreek Hill have left a massive hole at wide receiver. It would not be a surprise if Miami found replacements this offseason, especially in the draft.

However, according to ESPN's Matt Miller, the Dolphins' "ideal" first-round, with picks No. 11 and 30, would not include a wide receiver. Instead, Miami's best-case-scenario would be drafting two defensive backs to bolster Hafley's weak secondary.

Dolphins 'ideal' Round 1 includes 2 DBs, no WRs

At the 11th pick in the first round, the Dolphins' own first-rounder, Miller, named Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy as the "ideal" draft pick. Then, at 30th overall from the Denver Broncos, Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil Warren would be "ideal."

"The best route for the Dolphins would be a complete rebuild of the secondary after allowing the highest completion percentage in 2025 (72%) and trading safety Minkah Fitzpatrick again this offseason," Miller writes.

While fans might be clamoring for the team to draft a wide receiver, especially with such a barren room, Miller believes the secondary is the position group most in need of help.

After trading Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins' defense is in dire need of help. It was already a major need, but the safety and cornerback rooms are especially barren.

McCoy didn't play at all in 2025, but his 2024 film was great, and as Miller notes, McCoy profiles as a "true CBS1 with shutdown ability."

More: Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets for late round pick

McNeil-Warren, on the other hand, is a fun safety prospect who "would give new coach Jeff Hafley a long, rangy safety who could play in the box or at free safety," Miller writes.

There is some risk in these two draft picks for the Dolphins, but if they were both to be hits, then Miami would be fielding a far-better secondary in 2026 and beyond with these two players.

McNeil-Warren is one of the best safeties in this draft class, while McCoy has the upside to be the best in the class despite not playing in 2025 due to an ACL injury.

It's a risky first round for the Dolphins if they go for both of these players. But, in Miller's eyes, this would be the "ideal" first round for Miami in year-one of the Hafley rebuild.

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