Now that the Miami Dolphins have locked in their new leadership duo - General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and Head Coach Jeff Hafley - the real work begins: reshaping a roster that underperformed and now faces a pivotal offseason.
Sullivan, who comes over from the Green Bay Packers, inherits a team with limited cap flexibility and a number of key veterans likely on their way out, whether via free agency, trades, or outright releases. That means the Dolphins are going to have to get creative - and efficient - with how they add talent. And with eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three in the third round, the draft is shaping up to be the engine of this rebuild.
The most important of those picks? No surprise - it’s the 11th overall selection in the first round.
It’s the first major decision for the new regime, and it’s a chance to set the tone for what this front office and coaching staff are all about. After years of mixed results under former GM Chris Grier, Dolphins fans are hoping for a more consistent hit rate, especially with premium picks.
In a recent mock draft, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon was projected to land in Miami at No. 11. And it’s not hard to see why that pairing makes sense.
With Tyreek Hill reportedly on the chopping block and Miami seemingly ready to move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the offense is heading into a new era. That means wide receiver and quarterback are both high-priority positions - but this year’s quarterback class doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in terms of depth or top-end talent.
Wide receiver, on the other hand, is a different story. This draft is loaded with dynamic pass-catchers, and Lemon is one of the more intriguing names in the mix.
At 5'11" and 195 pounds, Lemon isn’t going to outmuscle defenders on the outside, but that’s not his game. What he brings is versatility, polish, and the kind of route-running savvy that makes him a nightmare from the slot.
Think Amon-Ra St. Brown - not necessarily in terms of career trajectory, but in the way he wins.
He’s a chain-mover, a reliable target, and a guy who can create separation in tight windows. That’s exactly the kind of receiver who can thrive alongside Jaylen Waddle, whose speed and explosiveness stretch defenses vertically.
Lemon would give Miami a different flavor - a complement, not a clone.
There’s also the reality that this draft isn’t being touted as particularly strong overall. So while some fans might clamor for a “best player available” approach, Lemon could very well be that guy at 11. Even with some physical limitations, his skill set, production, and fit in a modern NFL offense make him one of the more pro-ready receivers in the class.
And let’s be honest - whoever ends up under center for Miami in 2026 is going to need help. A quarterback-friendly weapon like Lemon could make life a whole lot easier for a young signal-caller trying to find his footing or a veteran trying to revive his career.
This pick, more than just a name on a draft card, could be the first building block of Sullivan and Hafley’s vision for the future. If they’re going to turn this thing around, it starts with getting the draft right - and Makai Lemon might just be the kind of player who helps them do exactly that.