Dolphins mock draft after Jaylen Waddle trade passes on WR for LSU CB, Auburn DE

This offseason, the Miami Dolphins are completely shaking up their roster. Jon-Eric Sullivan has made sweeping changes, including the recent blockbuster of Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.

As part of that Waddle trade, the Dolphins got the 30th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which gives the Dolphins two picks in round one. With huge needs on the roster, especially now at wide receiver, the Dolphins will have a great chance to add talent this spring.

However, according to NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, in his latest mock draft, the Dolphins are predicted to pass on a wide receiver to replace Waddle. Instead, he predicts the Dolphins to draft an LSU cornerback and an Auburn defensive end.

Dolphins predicted to pass on WR at 11th, 30th despite Jaylen Waddle trade

Jeremiah predicts the Dolphins to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the 11th overall pick, and Auburn defensive end Keldrick Faulk with the 30th pick from Denver.

"There are still holes to fill on Miami's roster," Jeremiah writes. "The Dolphins solve a corner spot with Delane, one of the draft's most consistent players on tape."

Jeremiah could've had the Dolphins taking one of Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson with the 11th pick. But the team does need CB badly, and Delane is not a bad pick.

However, Faulk being the pick at 30th overall is a mild surprise. While the WR options aren't as great, it's still surprising that a defensive end was the pick instead of a WR.

"The Dolphins will need to address wide receiver after dealing away Jaylen Waddle," Jeremiah writes, "but they are armed with a lot of Day 2 picks to find value at that spot in a year with a deep class at the position."

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While on the surface it might seem odd for the Dolphins to pass on a WR in the first round with such a massive need at the position, it does make some sense. As Jeremiah writes, Faulk has the "versatility and athleticism to fit well in Jeff Hafley's defense."

That fit, combined with interesting WR options in the second and third rounds, and the Dolphins passing on a WR in round one, makes some sense in this mock draft.

There is a very important reason why this decision makes sense in Jeremiah's mock draft. The top three WRs are not all that's off the board.

Omar Cooper Jr. went to the New York Jets at 16, while KC Concepcion went to the Carolina Panthers at 19. If either made it to No. 30, they might have been the pick over Faulk.

But, with the choice between Faulk, a young defensive end prospect, versus Denzel Boston and other Day 2 prospects, the Dolphins taking Faulk makes sense.

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