At the 2025 NFL trade deadline, the Miami Dolphins made a bold move that raised some eyebrows: they sent standout edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles. At the time, the Dolphins were sitting at a disappointing 2-7, and the trade looked like the kind of reset move struggling teams make when they’re looking ahead to the future rather than trying to salvage the present.
Fast forward a month, and Miami has rattled off four straight wins since the deal. That turnaround has sparked a fair question: did they really need to part ways with one of their most promising young defenders?
Regardless of how the win column looks now, the trade left a noticeable hole on the edge. And with Bradley Chubb turning 30 this offseason and the team currently ranking 21st in pass rush win rate (36.5%), it’s clear the Dolphins will be hunting for pass-rush help in the 2026 NFL Draft.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Miami could look to fill that void with Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, projected to be their pick at No. 12 overall.
Faulk is the kind of edge prospect who checks a lot of boxes. At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, he’s got the size and athleticism that NFL scouts drool over. He’s a smooth mover for his frame, and while his 2025 stat line (2.0 sacks) might not leap off the page, his tools and upside still have him firmly in the first-round conversation.
Last season, Faulk notched seven sacks and a forced fumble, flashing the kind of disruptive ability that teams covet on the edge. He’s not just a pass-rusher either-he can set the edge against the run, giving him the versatility to stay on the field in any situation.
From a roster-building perspective, the fit makes a lot of sense. Chubb has been a solid contributor, but he hasn’t quite recaptured the dominant form he showed early in his career with the Broncos. And with Phillips now in Philadelphia, Miami’s long-term outlook at edge is murky at best.
Pairing Faulk with Chop Robinson, another young and explosive edge presence, could give the Dolphins a dynamic tandem off the edge-one that could grow together and anchor the defense for years to come. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t just fill a need, but potentially elevates the entire unit.
Of course, a lot can change between now and draft day. Miami’s current draft position is based on projections, and their recent hot streak could shift things. But if Faulk is still on the board when they’re on the clock, it’s hard to imagine the Dolphins passing on a prospect who fits both their immediate need and long-term vision so perfectly.