The early read on the Dolphins’ 2026 draft class is starting to shift, and that matters for a team that’s expected to spend this season developing young players more than chasing wins.
Miami came out of the draft with 13 picks, the most in the NFL, and a roster situation that leaves a heavy load on newcomers. The payroll is tangled, with a large chunk going to players who are no longer around, and that has pushed the Dolphins even further toward leaning on their rookie class. That setup helped fuel the skepticism right after the draft, when the decisions from new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan drew plenty of criticism.
The biggest flashpoint was the choice of Kadyn Proctor over names like Caleb Downs and hometown product Rueben Bain Jr., along with what looked like a reach for Caleb Douglas. At first glance, it was hard to tell exactly what Sullivan was trying to build. But over the past two months, a clearer picture has started to emerge, and some outlets are beginning to like the direction.
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo moved Miami up in his pre-training-camp re-rankings, placing the Dolphins 12th after originally slotting them 16th shortly after the draft. Melo still labeled Proctor a "slight reach," but he was more upbeat on Miami’s next two picks. He said Chris Johnson will "play right away" in a cornerback room that has been thinned out, and he called second-rounder Jacob Rodriguez the team’s "best pick."
Proctor is also beginning to draw a different kind of attention. The initial reaction to taking him that high was mixed, especially with the pick landing at guard, but the belief around the league is that he can become Miami’s right tackle of the future after this season if Austin Jackson is no longer in the picture.
Given Jackson’s injury history, Proctor could end up seeing time on that side sooner than expected. And once fans have seen him in person, the size alone has created real buzz around the offensive line, something Miami hasn’t had much of in several years.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, offered a glimpse into why this rookie group may fit what Sullivan wants to build. Speaking to team reporter Travis Wingfield, he said, "Something that's been told to our class a lot is, you know, we're the quietest rookie class that we've ever they've ever had.
[...] In the building, we're all here to work, and we all we all kind of prioritize the time that we're here and it makes it easy," said Rodriguez.
That kind of approach lines up with the way Sullivan has operated. He targeted players he believes are smart and ready to work, and that was part of the appeal with Johnson, Rodriguez, and Kyle Louis. The idea is simple: bring in players who can help the Dolphins win, not just players who want to be in Miami.
The Dolphins still look like a team headed for a long season, and the projections reflect that. But a long year does not have to mean a dull one. Even if Miami ends up picking near the top of the 2027 draft, this rookie class could still give the fan base something to watch and something to believe in.
Proctor and Douglas are still unproven, and the questions around them remain. But they’ll be on the field, and they’ll get every chance to show Sullivan made the right calls. For a team trying to develop young talent, that’s the whole point.
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What makes the conversation more interesting is that any update does not necessarily have to mean a full throwback revival. The most realistic path could be a refresh built around the current identity, with changes to the color palette, striping, shading or font rather than a wholesale return to an old logo. No official announcement has been made, but the absence from this rollout has already given Dolphins supporters something to watch for, and maybe a reason to keep an eye on 2027. [Read more 🡒]
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Jacob Rodriguez May Be Forcing A Dolphins Decision Already
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Rodriguez has also fit quickly into the building, praising the teams facilities and the overall care Miami provides while he and the rest of the rookie class grind through their early work ahead of training camp. The bigger question now is how soon his presence starts to affect the depth chart, because when a rookie linebacker is already drawing attention in practice, the veterans around him can feel the pressure even before the pads come on. [Read more 🡒]