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The Miami Dolphins were always going to be one of the favorites to earn the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
On Tuesday, the Dolphins made their next move toward a franchise quarterback, trading star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for the 30th, 94th, and 130th picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. It's a continuation of a soft tank otherwise headlined by this offseason's departures and the acquisition of buy-low quarterback Malik Willis.
Miami is trading today for tomorrow, but draft capital is only as good as the surplus value it eventually provides. If the Dolphins whiff in April, they'll be doing their future quarterback a disservice. Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
Miami Dolphins four-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 11: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
If you haven't noticed, the Miami Dolphins have one of, if not the, worst secondaries in football. They need starters at both corner and safety, and for defensive head coach Jeff Hafley, there's an inherent pull towards a blue-chip talent to build the unit around.
Caleb Downs might be the best player in this class. Between a knee injury and the curse of positional value, he still might not be a top-10 pick.
Downs has good size and athleticism, excellent instincts, and elite processing, as evidenced by his success under both Nick Saban and Matt Patricia. He's the ideal replacement for Minkah Fitzpatrick and gives the defense an adult in the room, even as a rookie.
Round 1, Pick 30: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Parker was never the top-five prospect the preseason hype suggests, but there's still an every-down starter in his profile -- and a good one at that.
Parker wins with speed-to-power, has enough size to win against the run, and fared well despite Clemson crumbling around him. While he lacks the elite ceiling that other first-round picks can boast, his floor buoys his stock and makes him an ample replacement for Bradley Chubb.
Miami knows it isn't going to be competitive in 2026, and 2027 will likely suffer the same fate. Finding high-level talent in the trenches is a strong start for any rebuild, and the extra time to marinate could allow Parker to thrive during the Dolphins' next competitive window.
Round 2, Pick 43: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Miami's top receiver is currently Tutu Atwell, a talented but undersized role player. That leaves a lot of room for improvement, and with Tyreek Hill and Waddle out of the picture, there are plenty of vacant targets to fill.
Bernard isn't the speed demon that defined Miami's recent offenses. But with strong size-adjusted athleticism, the savviness to separate against Sunday starters, and functionality at the catch point and as a ball carrier, he projects as an average-to-above-average starter.
MORE: Potential first-round receiver undergoes 'routine' knee scope
Likewise, his quarterback-friendly traits make him a key piece of the Dolphins' long-term offensive infrastructure.
Round 3, Pick 75: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
One of my favorite fits in this class is Delp and the Dolphins. Perhaps that's a remnant of the Mike McDaniel era, but if Miami plans on a run-heavy attack with a significant emphasis on YAC (very likely given the quarterback), Delp still makes a lot of sense.
Few tight ends can match Delp's burst, making him a threat after the catch and up the seam. Yet, he can block well for his 245-pound frame, allowing him to play in-line with more success than other receiving tight ends.
As a Day 2 pick, Delp would be an easy plug-and-play starter, checking off one of Miami's many boxes of offseason needs without an early-round commitment.
Round 3, Pick 87: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Remember that porous secondary?
The Dolphins need warm bodies in the secondary, and ones with starter-level upside will have the opportunity to earn long-term roles next season. Muhammad, as a multi-year SEC starter, offers both competence and upside.
His sub-4.45 speed and excellent acceleration give him more breathing room, and he's fluid enough to not need recovery speed all that often. There are questions about his physicality, perhaps limiting him to the boundary, but if he can capitalize on his length, there's upside for his ball production, too.
Round 3, Pick 90: Febechi Nwaiwu, OG, Oklahoma
Every young quarterback can benefit from an offensive line capable of providing a little more time to answer the questions defenses pose. Fortunately, there's talent already residing in South Florida. Aaron Brewer might be the game's best center, and average tackle play is enough to find success.
Part of improving the supporting cast, though, will be finding an answer at left guard. That seems unlikely to come in the form of Jonah Savaiinaea's development.
In the third round, finding a starting offensive lineman is no guarantee. However, Nwaiwu is a quality depth option at all three interior spots, and his play strength lends itself to proficiency in the run game. If he can iron out the wrinkles in pass protection, being a low-level starter -- and an upgrade at left guard -- is in play.
Round 3, Pick 94: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
There is no question that next year's Dolphins team will be slower than the ones that came before it. Likewise, Miami must replace Waddle's speed as much as his snaps.
Enter the fastest man of the 2026 NFL Combine. Thompson is a track star who has turned himself into a quality college football player and, thus, a mid-round pick. He's undersized but more developed than one might expect from a player solely defined by his speed, and that gives him a path to full-time playing time later in his rookie contract.
For now, taking the top off of defenses will be enough, and if he can make the most of his manufactured touches, he'll help keep Miami's offense explosive.
Round 4, Pick 130: Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
Durant is another player who survived decaying circumstances to stand out during his platform year.
His edge-like bend and strong burst make him a pass-rushing threat from the interior, and as the Dolphins reload in the trenches, he figures to play an ancillary role on the defensive line.
Miami currently lacks potency along the interior. As a rotational rusher behind Zach Sieler and Kenneth Grant, Hafley can put Durant in positions to win, allowing his athleticism to dominate heavy-footed interior linemen.
Likewise, his athleticism lends itself to versatility, occasionally lining up at edge rusher, being deployed in spies and stunts, and keeping contain. There's a contributor here, even if there isn't a starter. For a team in need of passing-down upside, Durant would be a slam dunk on Day 3.
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