Dolphins predicted to draft breakout LSU CB to resolve major need

The Miami Dolphins have a new leadership group with the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, Jeff Hafley, becoming the new head coach. Fellow Packers alumni Jon-Eric Sullivan is the Dolphins' new general manager.

With this new leadership structure, the Dolphins will have to make some big decisions. Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill are the two main ones, but the defensive side of the ball, with a defensive-minded head coach in Hafley, won't be forgotten.

Field Yates of ESPN predicts that the Dolphins first round draft pick of this new leadership group will be on the defensive side of the ball in a breakout LSU cornerback.

Dolphins predicted to draft LSU CB

Yates predicts that Miami will land the best cornerback in the NFL Draft at 11th overall in a breakout LSU CB, Mansoor Delane, to plug the massive hole in their secondary.

"The Dolphins patched together their secondary last season, so it will be no surprise if new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan swings for cornerbacks in the draft and free agency," Yates writes.

With corners Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas both hitting free agency, the need at the position couldn't be any greater than it is for the Dolphins.

While they could take corners in free agency or trade for a cornerback or two, landing a young, rookie cornerback for the next four to five seasons would be ideal.

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If Delane can carry his breakout 2025 season with LSU into the NFL, then the Dolphins will be getting a shutdown corner for years to come.

This past season, Delane had 11 passes defended, two interceptions, and finished third in FBS in completion percentage allowed with a small 27.8%.

Delane is a great cornerback and would be an instant starter for the Dolphins in Week 1. With such a huge need at the position, this prediction from Yates, in landing Delane, would be an ideal scenario for the Dolphins in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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