The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching so quickly, and I’m getting more excited and optimistic by the minute. When you listen to either GM Jon-Eric Sullivan or HC Jeff Hafley speak, you get a certain comprehension that these guys legitimately know what they’re doing, they have a concept of what they want this football team to look like, and that they are capable of executing the plan to do it. Don’t forget that while there is a synergy between to the two, Sully made it clear that the decision will be made unilaterally, by him, as it should be. That doesn’t mean he won’t listen to counsel from HC Jeff Hafley, or his scouting department, but it means there’s not going to be a vote or consensus agreement on each pick, and that GM Jon-Eric Sullivan will be making the selection after consideration of all the information given to him and his own convictions on what to do. We’ll never ever know what the hierarchy or collaboration was with GM Chris Grier, and I’m not even sure I want to know. What I do know now, however, is whn we make a pick, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan made that pick and he will be ultimately responsible for the success or failure of that selection.
I have been trying to listen and read as much as I can before this draft to get an idea of what we might be doing in this draft. I think we all agree we need to build the foundation of this team, and in my estimation, that’s not a WR at #11. Some interesting points I heard just this morning were Chiefs GM Brett Veach believes there will be a lot of trades in this draft, especially in RD1. The other was Ravens GM Eric DeCosta stated that most NFL teams probably have only about 15 players with true 1st RD grades which also indicates that teams would rather trade back and have a few more “lottery picks”, or chances to find players rather than make a selection of a player who doesn’t really carry a 1st RD grade. Of course that would be difficult if all GM’s felt the same way, so I guess we’ll have to see what happens there.
Miami Dolphins RB De’Von Achane showed up to workouts which was a good sign for both parties and Sully stated that negotiations are going well towards getting a deal done. The parameters are out there because the Bills signed RB James Cook to a 4YR/$46M contract with just shy of $29M guaranteed. I know some of you hate Mike Florio, but count me as one who does not. This morning on the Joe Rose Show where he’s a guest every week in the 9:00AM hour, he discussed with Joe Rose the De’Von Achane situation. He’s absolutely NOT wrong when he says Achane is one of the handful of NFL players that you just can’t trade. His take is that any team that had any interest in De’Von Achane already made their offers and Sully didn’t like the value of any of them to this point. He brought up a potential scenario where say the Titans are expecting Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love to be there at #4, but a team trades up to #3 where the Arizona Cardinals pick and take Jeremiyah Love, would the Titans then potentially pick up the phone and call Jon-Eric Sullivan to see what it would cost to get de’Von Achane? Certainly possible, which is why the concept that any player isn’t tradable is foolish.
I still remain firm in my belief that O-line is the priority and we should be diligent in making sure we get one as soon as possible. Universally, Francis Mauigoa, Vega Ioane, Spencer Fano and even Monroe Freeling are probably in the conversation. Supposedly, we’re looking for O-line flexibilty, guys who can play multiple positions and be excellent at doing so. These three players can play either inside or outside and Spencer Fano has actually played every single spot on the O-line well. If that concept is true, it’s more likely that one of our first 2 picks in RD1, should we stay where we are will be an OL. There are some guys who project as OG only like Vega Ioane but he is supposedly the safest pick on the O-line, he should be a dominant OG right from the get-go. Other OG only guys are Chase Bisontis, Keylan Rutledge and Gennings Dunker. One or two of these guys might still go RD 1, but are more likely to go RD 2, unless of course a run on O-Line happens and then more will go and the chance for a trade back at #30 for us increases, especially if we took an OL at #11, but you can see the danger of not doing that though. I don’t think we’re going to trade up in any of the early rounds, I think it’s clear we want “more”, not “less”.
Once we have our OL, you can flip a coin on CB, EDGE and WR. We do need to help QB Malik Willis get this offense going, and I believe getting the O-line to a solid level would be an excellent start. We could certainly use a good pass catcher, and that could be a WR or TE. We don’t have a lot of quality at either spot right now with WR’s Atwell, Tolbert, Washington, Wease, Washington and Marshall. At TE, the dropoff is even worse after Dulcich with Conyers, Turner, Cole and Kuntz. We also need Safety help, so that will be a priority like EDGE, WR and CB, after we bring in at least one OL. With those 4 3rd RD picks, I expect WR, S and TE will be addressed even if we took one player already. You can see all the holes we have, so getting more picks would be a good thing. Building through the draft is the best way, you take players you like and mold and them and turn them into the foundation of the team at a fair price. You pay foolishly in free agency, either way, to get someone else’s players or keep your own. The idea is to sign your own if you like before they hit free agency where the price dramatically increases. We need to find multiple starters in this draft, and then again next year in order to turn around this roster from being subpar to better than average. This is where we’ll be either getting it done or failing at getting it done. This is the first test for Sully and Haf and it’s a big one. I feel very good about their chances of success! CHEERS!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Cheers, Mike E. and thank you!
We need some big uglies, especially OGs…lol.
Good write, Mike. I agree with your assessment about positional needs. We have the picks to get this thing going.
As always, I just want good players, but I don’t see any reason to draft many, if any, skill offensive players. Nothing but OL and defense is fine with me. That’s building the right way. We’ll see if these guys’ words match their actions soon enough.
I agree, we do not need shiny offensive playmakers this year.
Mike, you had me at your first sentence, tge fact that you can listen to them speak is already winning, no ahh duh duh BS
Mike, wait what, this roster is subpar?🤪
does anyone argue its not subpar?
does a great draft change that?
sure its possible guys play hard, Malik is the real deal (which I think he is, but really haven’t seen enough of to know), some young guys stepping up, but reality is 2019 revisited
I have no expectations on team play, my only expectation is we kill it in this draft or at least do what we can
Of course it changes it. Bring in 5 or so players that are the real deal and can get the job done and those units are much better already. Then you keep building. That doesn’t mean we win 10 games this season but you change the culture of the team when you have your foundation. The Browns and Rams have drafted well, and look how fast the Patriots turned it around. We could be one of those teams in 2 years, but you have to start somewhere, and that somewhere is now with this draft.
I was referring to this season, sorry for the confusion
do you think we have enough talent to compete for the playoffs, if we draft/bring in those 5 players?
I feel great about the state of the franchise, we don’t need to have a good season to continue that feeling, we just don’t have the talent to do anything this year
we’re rebuilding, the only thing that matters is to approach team matters with that in mind
draft solid players, don’t reach for medical prospects McCoy, don’t worry about elite players (if one should fall ok, but better to trade down and get 2 solid players)
in other words don’t Grier it by thinking the roster is better than it is
Steve – I’d be surprised if we were a playoff team, but I wouldn’t be shocked. Better O-line play, better QB play, and maybe a few guys that were here last season like Grant, Phillips, Biggers and the 2 DB’s Trader and Marshall step up, and maybe JuJu Brents stays healthy and realizes his potential, and a couple of defensive guys we draft we really hit on, anything is possible. Not likely, because that’s asking a lot, but I’m also hoping Hafley’s coaching style with be make this team a more physical team than it has been, on both sides.
It all depends on QB play when thinking playoffs.
you guys are setting yourselves up to be disappointed
bailbondmike
says:
April 17, 2026 at 9:01 am
Actually, Sadiq’s drop rate was 10.5% and Sam Roush’s drop rate was 8.75% or 7 drops on 80 targets. Still not great but manageable.
Compare to Eli Stowers drop rate of 4.1%.
————
According to PFF, Sadiq’s drop-rate is 10.5%, but Sam Roush’s drop-rate is 12.5%. That’s why I stated Roush’s rate is even worse than Sadiq’s.
PFF confirms 7 drops on 80 targets for Roush, but that rate comes out to 11.4% (still worse than Sadiq).
I don’t know where the 8.75% or the 12.5% come from… it’s basic math.
So regardless, Roush has less reliable hands than even Sadiq… that’s worrisome.
7 drops divided by 80 targets comes out to 8.75%. I don’t know where PFF gets their 11.4% either. lol
80/7 = 11.4🤣
Mike E,
Solid write! I feel ya left out OG Emmanuel PREGNON, who is slated to go late 1st-early 2nd round. He also is a strict Guard, with no Tackle-flexibility.
I wouldn’t pass on him because he’s strictly a guard. Whenever he’s healthy he’s going to play guard and most likely start, so you need some flex backups.
Rockphin
says:
April 17, 2026 at 8:47 am
But Sadiq who cannot block and is a big WR and has drop issues is being mocked as a 1st round pick while Roush who is more of an inline traditional blocker (yes he can block, he just needs to clean up his technique) is a 3rd round type guy.
We basically have NO tight ends in the room right now. half of them have NEVER caught an NFL pass!
————-
Roush has a mediocre 57.6 blocking grade.
Sadiq has a 66.3 blocking grade.
I don’t deny the fact we could use a solid TE, but taking one before the 4th round in essentially a rebuild on both sides of the ball would be… unorthodox.
My guy Dallen Bentley has a 61.7 blocking grade… but he’s a solid 6’4″, 259 pounds. Surely he can learn to block well at that size.
He also comes from Utah, with a recent flurry of success at the TE position in the NFL. Utah’s TEs aren’t typically asked to be run-blocking first.
Rockphin,
Lastly, you and I VERY much like the same style of TE over the years. Here’s Dallen Bentley’s highlights. Dare I say, I see a little bit of Dallas Goedert to his game…
OH, by the way. Want to know what Dallen Bentley’s drop-rate is? 0.0% on 76 targets.
👍
A 61.7 blocking grade is not bad for Bentley. You don’t find many who grade over 70. I think any TE who grades over 60 is good enough in that department as long as they can give you something in the receiving department as well.
Tim – If it’s all about QB play, we have a better chance this season without Tua. lol
😂 what I mean is I don’t think the team is going to be an embarrassment and with good QB play a 10 win season and a playoff spot wouldn’t shock me either. We have talent and the draft which is supposed to make the team better. I’m enjoying the new direction.
Hey M – Yes, Pregon is definitely another very good OG only prospect. Thanks!
Anytime, my dude!
Just in case some of y’all forgot who my guy Jalin Conyers is, who we picked up as an priority UDFA after the ’25 Draft…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbBYM3x-Fgw
Tim Knight
says:
April 17, 2026 at 2:02 pm
I wouldn’t pass on him because he’s strictly a guard. Whenever he’s healthy he’s going to play guard and most likely start, so you need some flex backups.
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You should already know my opinion on the impregnable PREGNON. I totally agree with ya.
I watched 4 Oregon games last season and he ALWAYS showed up to me. He’s a BEAST.
Likewise with S Dillon Thieneman, he ALWAYS showed up to me: BEAST.
Know who NEVER showed up to me? Kenyon Sadiq.
It seems everyone is high on Thienman.
bailbondmike
says:
April 17, 2026 at 2:47 pm
A 61.7 blocking grade is not bad for Bentley. You don’t find many who grade over 70. I think any TE who grades over 60 is good enough in that department as long as they can give you something in the receiving department as well.
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VERY much agreed! 😀
I’m happy about the Achane news. I am one of the many that thinks and knows he’s a special player. He makes the team better and he’s 24 years old. Look at his per touch numbers. He’s elite level. Yes I’m giving him a market value contract.
I think Achane and Willis create major problems for opposing defenses.
Tim Knight
says:
April 17, 2026 at 3:12 pm
It seems everyone is high on Thienman.
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YUP! And even casuals who didn’t watch any games or tape were ‘WOW-ed’ by his Combine performance and numbers. He might… I said *might*… give Caleb Downs a run for his money as the first Safety taken in this Draft.
To be honest with ya, Tim… Theineman may be a dark horse candidate for us @ R1P11, contingent upon who goes in the top-10. Coach Hafley seems to favor his Safeties in the same way Nick Saban favored his Safeties.
We’ll see what happens!
By Sullivan’s admission, the roster is going to be relatively set after the draft concludes and undrafted rookies are added. There will be some changes along the way, but the core of this year’s training camp roster will be in place.
looks like the post draft phase of free agency is not going to be a big part of Miami’s plans this season.
Exactly. And when a reporter specifically asked Sully about the post 6/1 $$$ coming back, Sully said it was most important to get our fiscal house back in shape.
I’m really liking the idea of drafting Eli Stowers in the late 2nd/early 3rd round because he can add quality depth at both TE and WR. I also wouldn’t mind taking Thieneman in the 1st round, if Downs goes before we pick.
I’m still all in on taking a safety early and then double-dip early on day 3 with VJ Payne.
Not a bad plan at all. Found myself taking Stowers the last couple of mocks just for the reason you state.
Stowers actually is a good down field blocker and gets nasty with DB’s and LB’s. He’s just limited inline and struggles with bigger edges and DE’s which lowers his blocking grade. He was not used much inline anyway.
It’s funny, I’m like gimme one of the top O-line guys, then maybe even another O-line guy, a CB, S, and then I feel like we can go WR or TE. I’m not trusting Jonah, but will definitely want to see him succeed in competition, but I want two guys who can play if necessary, and really, doesn’t it fucking always seem necessary? It is me, or do we always need O-line help?
I agree about double-dipping on OL, too. If I were drafting and things fell the way we are figuring in the top 10, I would go safety, Edge, and OL with my first 3 picks. The order will depend on who is available.
Without going just on need, I could still see something like 2 OL, 2 Edge, 2 SAF, 1 WR, 1 TE, 1 CB with our picks in rounds 1-5.
I want 2 OG’s and a RT between picks 11 and 238. Screw Jonah. I hope he can at least become a decent depth player.
Damn!
NFL Network: Texans, DE Will Anderson Jr. agree to three-year, $150 million extension
Double Damn!
Rapoport added that Anderson’s deal, which makes him the highest-paid non-QB ever, includes $134 million guaranteed and also features a no-trade clause.
WR Jordan Tyson is finally doing his workout for teams today. I guess better late than never.
I guess this was a poll done by Bleacher Report on team fan choice for their 1st round picks.
Voting Results
Pick 11:
IOL Francis Mauigoa 54%
Other 16%
OT Monroe Freeling 14%
WR Makai Lemon 14%
Pick #30
Voting Results
WR KC Concepcion 31%CB Colton Hood 30%
CB Avieon Terrell 26%
Other 11%
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Concepcion is lined out because he went off the board to 49er’s fans at #27.
I guess that would be a safe start to the draft.
I noticed their percentages add up to only 98% on both choices. lol
Let’s all just compromise. Let’s go OL then Safety then OL then CB then OL then Edge then OL then LB then OL then DL then OL.
I feel like Solomon. 🙂
I love it! 😆
Perfect! Then UDFA WR, then UDFA OL, then UDFA QB, then UDFA OL
How is this Randy?
11. Spencer Fano OT Utah B+
30. Avieon Terrell CB Clemson A+
43. Blake Miller OT Clemson A-
75. Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State A-
87. Jalon Kilgore S South Carolina B
90. Eli Stowers TE Vanderbilt A
94. Brian Parker II OC Duke C-
130. Julian Neal CB Arkansas C
151. Matt Gulbin OC Michigan State D-
227. Riley Nowakowski TE Indiana C-
238. Kendrick Law WR Kentucky C-
Parker and Gulbin have both played every of the 5 but are mostly flex interiors and not just centers
80/7 = 11.4
80/8 = 10
80/11 = 7.27
according to pff’s math more drops is a lower rate
obviously you have to divide 7 by 80 to get the actual 8.75%🤣
I think it was the poster’s math that wasn’t mathing in this case. LOL
Yeah, that’s pretty dumb.
Drops per vs percentage.
No one can do basic math anymore, lol.
Anyone can make a mistake, but to have a website that deals in data like PFF and get it that wrong…
2019 I thought we had a decent roster and depth
we had Fitz at QB, so like with Malik there was some warranted optimism
we started as the worst team in NFL history, rookies weren’t ready and we had a tough schedule, not sure how we can expect to be any better, or how we CAN be much better
Rock,
Nicely done! I don’t know 75% of those guys, but it looks good.
I’m high, I thought I had gone OL other OL other like you asked. LOL I skipped a few
Looking to see a bunch of oline, dline and defense from this draft. Maybe a mid to late RB or WR, but I’d be perfectly happy with all linemen, lol.
I will not be surprised if we draft WR, RB and TE in this draft. We have 11 picks. You want to upgrade every position group and we don’t know if what we have is satisfactory with the new regime. There are still 8 picks at other positions we all talk about. Look at the roster we can’t overload any position because it’s too much.
Bain fell on this one.
11. Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE Miami (FL) A-
30. Blake Miller OT Clemson A-
43. Chris Johnson CB San Diego State A-
75. Gennings Dunker OG Iowa A
87. Bryce Lance WR North Dakota State A
90. Bud Clark S TCU B-
94. Rene Konga DT Louisville C-
130. Kaelon Black RB Indiana C-
151. VJ Payne S Kansas State C-
227. Caden Barnett OG Wyoming B-
238. Riley Nowakowski TE Indiana C-
BRAVO!
bailbondmike
says:
April 17, 2026 at 2:20 pm
7 drops divided by 80 targets comes out to 8.75%. I don’t know where PFF gets their 11.4% either. lol
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7 drops divided by 80 targets comes out to 0.0875%. That’s the best catch rate EVER! Maybe that’s where some are getting the 8.75% rate from. *sigh*
80 targets divided by 7 drops comes out to 11.4%.
C’mon, guys.
Not trying to diss, but seriously… c’mon, guys.
Know what a per cent means? If he had 100 targets, he’d probably drop 11 balls.
8.75% doesn’t jive with the simple math. Again, c’mon, guys.
To get the percentage you divide the part by whole then X 100, not divide the whole by the part.
7 drops (part) divided by 80 targets (whole) x 100 = 8.75% drop rate
It’s an 8.75% drop rate
Divide 80 by 7 and you get 1 drop every 11.4 catches or 8.75% drop rate.
You’re talking about simple math and need this explained?
correction: every 11.4 targets
Just looking at 7 out of 80 being labeled as more than 10% should be a clue the math is wrong, as Steve pointed out above.
Everyone makes mistakes. When you finally realize the mistake you made- then doubled down on, lol- you’ll feel dumb and face palm-doh.
But don’t sweat it. I’m sure you do know or did know at some point how to calculate a percentage. Nobody will think you can’t math, regardless of my ‘you need this explained’ comment. I was just being snarky, lol.
I make mistakes all the time now that I never would have made even 5 years ago. Age and stuff…
But for PFF to make that mistake is ridiculous.
Tim,
There’s a draft every year. We can draft skill players when we MIGHT be closer to competing when we can have them on their rookie contracts longer.
If we can build a strong LOS and defense in the next 2 years, they can spend 15 picks on skill players. It’s not all happening this year or next. I know you’re always optimistic but reality says different. Getting more than another roster that’s good enough to win 10 games and lose in the playoffs shouldn’t be the end game.
I’m in this camp too. I don’t care if we have to use the whole draft, can we please build inside out? I really think that is what they are going to do. I’d be surprised if we pick a WR or RB in the first 3 rds. I’d also be surprised with a trade up in the 1st, but not a trade down; get an extra pick or two in next year’s draft to drop down in the 1st if it’s there.
So, for the longest time, I resisted getting a smartphone. I didn’t want to be tied to it, glued to the screen all the time, etc. I had a flip phone for ages. I finally got a smartphone during COVID so I could play with my Roomba; the phone was necessary for the mapping aspect, as you can’t do it on a computer.
Here we are like five years later, and I’ve spent about $3K on a stupid mobile game, Heroes vs. Hordes. I’m currently a top 50-ish player in the world. I’ll probably drop another $2K on it this year. Such a dumb way to spend money, lol.
SBJ – And here I was feeling a bit guilty for dropping $30 on Forge of Empires!
I hit ludicrous speed. This is what happens when you are basically a stay at home person and already have all the toys you want…and are bored😂
I miss The Far Side 😦
And Calvin and Hobbs.
C&H will always be my all-time favorite.
I miss Marino and Csonka 🤷♂️
Never got to see Csonka except in highlights. I wish I’d seen those championship teams. After decades of futility I’m starting to think I’m going to shuffle off this mortal coil without getting a Dolphins Super Bowl.
I miss living out in the country.
Aren’t you on the beach? You prefer country life instead?
Chad Reuter just put out his worst 1st round mock. Has Dolphins taking WR Carnell Tate at #11 then trading up to #25 to take Edge Keldric Faulk.
I would be so disappointed.
Reuters has zero idea what he’s doing for us
because they brought in Willis from Green Bay and now we’re ready to go, don’t you know?
I miss being a great team that contends for a championship year in and year out
I’ve never had that as a football fan, so I can’t miss it, lol.
I miss being young and optimistic
Ouch, that one hits me kinda hard right now.
I would pick either or at this point
my opinion on building a team right is that you build your foundation from the inside out
I hope they spend everything underline that they can this year building the very best foundation
I couldn’t care less if they didn’t take a skilled position this year
Use all 11 pics on the The foundation
next year, take your skill positions And go for it
I’m not opposed to spending some trade down Capital this year stocking up with next year‘s pics either
I tend to agree, but not sure how many picks we can use on foundation players
top 3 picks need to include OL, top 7 needs to include 2 OL maybe 3, that’s my foundation, after drafting the DL foundation last year
this is absolutely a bugging year, no matter what they’re saying
Especially with 90% roster turnover
I’m not saying they should tank. I’m just saying they should play every fucking rookie every fucking play. Looking toward their Development and the future rather than wins and losses this year.
It’s not tanking, but it has the same effect
except all your young players, get quality reps and experience
** Mulligan year
I’d be ok with that
Or make an impact in winning games. 😉
Randy, I’m not suggesting what we’re going to do as much as I’m saying I won’t be surprised if we draft some skill players to deepen every room. New regimes always bring in their own. We’ve got enough draft capital at the moment to address a lot of positions and double up on some.
Aren’t you on the beach? You prefer country life instead?
—————-
I am about a 20 min drive to the beach unless I go to the bay beach on NAS Pensacola then only 10 min.
Actually, all I need to do is move 10 miles west of where I live now into Alabama and it’s basically all country until you get to Foley, AL. I would still only be about 20-25 min from the beach.
According to Sully, in his presser the other day (and he added, ‘with all due respect to the current players on the team’), that a lot of young players, rookies and UDFAs, and 2nd year players will get a lot of playing time/experience/quality reps this upcoming season. Basically, the cupboard is bare.
Excellent! Imo, this is how the team will get better quicker and more effectively. I really don’t care about their record this year. I just want to see them improve every single game for 17 games…..coach them up, Haf!
Sully added a lot of players brought in on one year contracts have a chip on their shoulder and want to prove something. He loves that and can’t wait to see their efforts.
Looking forward to it.
As a shock to no one, I disagree on ignoring skill players. Especially WRs.
Why? Because WRs traditionally hit peak maturity in year 3. We signed the QB (I suppose they think that’s what they’ve done given the contract), he is going to need receivers in year 3 that can compete for a championship. If you wait even 1 year to get WRs for him, you’re gambling everything on year 4 of his contract being the Chip run.
I agree OL is a much higher priority. But I put S, CB the WR above Edge.
The good news is that there are lots of decent WRs in this draft that can be had at the bottom of the top 100, so if the draft falls I’d have at least 1 OL, 1 S, 1 CB, 1 WR, in our top 6 picks. The other two can be any stud with ascending skills at almost any position because you just never know which draftee is going to be a mid round probowl, all-pro, even HOF player (not predicting this, but Zach Thomas is one of my favorites ever and he was 5th rounder).
WR is deep we can get a decent one in the 3rd
Tutu, Tolbert, 2wash, and Wease puts us probably 32nd in the NFL, with Waddle we would’ve been closer to the middle, and surely we draft one with top 7 picks
not worried about our WR group
Agreed. You want to add good young talent at different positions so you don’t have weaknesses. I also don’t believe in overloading at positions with rookies. A few spread out in the draft and then you have more with UDFAs and I think we’re going to sign a lot of them.
Other than a few core guys this is going to be a very open training camp for players to win jobs. Hafley has repeated that mantra, the best guys are going to play regardless of investment status.
I have been seriously considering drafting only 1 Edge and 1 good pass rushing DT in Konga or Proctor.
I posted about Kaleb Proctor back in January and got the small school speech. I don’t care what level they played on. When the talent and athletic ability show up on tape that is good enough for me.
I think Proctor can actually play edge. He’s the same height 6’2 as Rueben Bain but almost 30 pounds heavier at 291 and ran close to the same 40 time 4.79 as Bain 4.72.
I think if you want a good pass rushing DT you probably would have to take them by pick #94. I don’t think Proctor or Konga will last to #130.
QBs Tannehill it, once he’s got a bead on them
looks like Aaron Donald
Our top 7 picks could easily look like this: OL 2, CB 1, DL 1, RB 1, S 1, WR 1.
if we could pull off something like this I’d feel pretty good about our future
11 Delane
30 Blake Miller
43 R Mason Thomas
4 3rds AJ Hailcy , Ted Hurst, Max Klare, Kellan Rutledge
It sounds like we’re going to give Achane a new deal. Love it! Not only does he have over 3,000 yards 22 TD rushing in 3 seasons he has 172 receptions and 13 TD. He’s one of the best offensive players in the game and he’s 24 years old. I can’t wait to see him play with Malik.
It’ll be interesting to see him in a completely different offense. One thing about McD’s scheme is I think it was pretty ideal for Achane, but he’s so explosive and dynamic I’m sure he’ll be fine.
I’m really just looking forward to seeing what our completely overhauled team looks like. 5 days till the draft!
are you sure our O will be completely different?
Miami Dolphins have promoted Bobby Slowik to offensive coordinator for the 2026 season. Slowik served as the team’s senior passing game coordinator in 2025.
Well, I guess we don’t really know anything at this point, so fair question.
I anticipate us being a run, run, run, ball control, methodical, slow tempo offense instead of the pass, pass, run, high octane explosive offense we ran under McD.
That adds to the excitement. What are we actually going to look like on both sides of the ball?
when your best player is a RB its good in that he won’t cost us 50m per yr
Remember the rush/pass option with Tua was handoff or play action pass. Nobody was worried about him running. It’s different now, Malik is a high level rusher. So the rush/pass option with him and Achane is now 3 options.
I’m sorry I see Malik Willis as a Steve McNair type QB. Not the best rhythm passers but the running ability to buy more time or make the big throw with a strong arm.
Achane is like Marshall Faulk. I’m not ready to say this season is not successful. There is talent on both sides of the ball. We also haven’t drafted yet.
So I just read this:
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“When the Dolphins opened their first voluntary practice sessions, Achane volunteered to stay away from the facility. It put Jon-Eric Sullivan in a bad situation. Reward a player for staying away or hold his contract for ransom until he shows up.
Somewhere in the middle, there would surely be common ground. On Thursday, Achane showed up at the training facility in a good-faith effort to help get the contract done.”
—————-
Achane volunteered to stay away from the facility? What the heck does that mean? He’s under contract, but they make it sound like it was a ‘to ensure no injury’ kind of thing.
I have been away the last month or so and haven’t kept up on anything Dolphins. I thought Achane missing voluntary sessions was more of ‘I’m not happy’ kind of thing. Did I miss something?
Or is that just dumb writing by Brian Miller?
nvmd, I’m reading it again now in it’s entirety and I think Miller was trying to be be funny.
its
As soon as you said Brian Miller, it explained everything. lol
lol
I like our chances as well Mike. I am confident in the current GM.
CavalierKong
says:
April 17, 2026 at 9:25 pm
It’s an 8.75% drop rate
Divide 80 by 7 and you get 1 drop every 11.4 catches or 8.75% drop rate…
CavalierKong says:
April 17, 2026 at 9:26 pm
correction: every 11.4 targets
————-
You were right the first time: can’t count targets. Why? Some targets fly 10 yards over a receiver’s head. That has nothing to do with drop rate. It has to do with catchable balls.
YES, you are of course correct regarding the numbers (I done *got* fucked up last night!). That being stated, I think PFF’s “drop rate” is either a terrible misnomer, or just a humiliating math error.
THANK YOU for the correction, and props to BBM as well.
BBM,
Why did we concur on Kenyon Sadiq’s drop rate? Clearly, that one is incorrect as well, bud.
Eh, it’s like I said, just a goof anyone could have made.
Especially when inebriated! Thanks.
Cav Kong,
Are you going to be around Tuesday evening (8:00 PM, EST) for our Mob Mock Draft?
The more, the merrier. I like to have as many folks participate, in order to get a real feel of this band of merry men! LOL
Nah, I don’t put any work into prospects the way you guys do. I’d basically just be going with consensus. I figure Mendoza goes #1 then my best guess would be Tom, Dick and Harry go 2, 3, 4, lol.
I will likely lurk as ya’ll go through it and may make a few peanut gallery comments though.
All good, man! Cheers!
Here are the guidelines for Tuesday evening’s Mob Mock Draft (8:00 PM/EST)… it’s the same as ALWAYS!
“Don’t be shy, just give it a try!”. EVERYBODY is welcome to vote!
how about a time limit, once the time is up count the votes
I’m right there with ya, and was about to post about that. It depends on how many people are here and how fast we KNOW that there won’t be anymore votes.
Generically speaking, I’d like to see every pick completed in under 3 minutes.
So I guess I’m going to put a 3-minute time-limit on each selection. We might even be able to get to R1P30 this year! 🙂
Our top 7 picks could easily look like this: OL 2, CB 1, DL 1, RB 1, S 1, WR 1.
——–
Tim, that is exactly where I have been going in many of my mock drafts.
It has been getting tricky on WR as Hurst mostly goes before 75 and Lance before 87. That will probably be the case for real as well.
BBM,
PLEASE tell me you’ll be here for our Mob Mock Draft, my man!
Yeah brother!
hard to believe Delane will be there at 11, thinking Vega as more likely
Shhhhh! I know! 😉
Steve,
You’re all-in for Tuesday evening, man?!!
yes sir
EXCELLENT!
NYG acquires pick 10 from Bengals for Dexter Lawrence
should guarantee Love goes top 10, but also Mauigoa
That’s the first huge shakeup
Reviewing my draft notes from early February: Matt Gulbin, C/IOL, Michigan State, is a STUD. One of the big pundits mocked him to us yesterday in the 7th round.
I’ve got a 6th round grade on Gulbin, HOPING he lasts to the 7th round for us (being we have no 6th rounders at the moment). If we work the boards, up-and-down, perhaps we can land him.
I have seen him mocked as early as 5th round all the way to 7th round. I like him. He’s one of those guys who is not going to wow you with the athletics but does everything well and plays tough.
In some mocks I haven’t posted. I took Gulbin, Pat Coogan or Nolan Rucci in the 7th round when I wanted a 3rd OL.
Mauigoa, Bain, Delane, Fano, Vega just get one of those
I’m just so… mixed on Fano. He projects best as a Center, ya know? Yes, our new leadership LOVES/WANTS positional versatility (as do I, always have), but I don’t think he has enough lead in his pants to be more than a mediocre Guard… and we don’t need a 1st-round draft pick to be our Center with Brewer there.
At 311 pounds and with short arms, I can’t see Fano at the Tackle position at the NFL level.
Fano is GREAT! I LUV his personality and he luvs football! Just not sure he’d be the wisest investment @ R1P11 as a ‘tweener’. But that’s just me and my $.02.
This is why he has fallen to the middle of the first round.
watched a video of Fano going against David Bailey
yikes! I agree, just saying no to Fano at 11
My wife keeps bugging me about getting tickets to go see The Warning down in Orlando. I would love to see them live but it’s only one set as they are opening for Youngblud.
Youngblud has a good voice, but I just don’t care for him. He seems theatrically fake to me. A Steven Tyler wannabe.
You know what they say BBM: a happy wife…
I feel like the Bengals way overpaid for Lawrence. A top ten pick is insane nowadays .
That was a high cost. Though, DT was the Bengals biggest need in the draft this year. Also, Bengals get one of the best DT’s in the league at 20m this year and 19.5m next year.
I wonder if he asks for a new deal now and holds out. lol
Now their biggest need is safety.
The phone has not rung in over 6 hours here at the office. One of those nights I get paid to watch youtube videos. lol
Anyway, I pulled up 3 different sites that had updated team needs rankings for each team to help us on Tuesday night. It’s broken down by critical need, high need and moderate need for each team.
The Dolphins were the only team who had 5 positions as a critical or high need. The rest of the NFL had 4 or less with the majority having 4 critical/high needs.
Position/critical/high/moderate
OT/6/5/2
OG/7/3/2
C/2/1/1
QB/3/1/1
WR/7/6/3
RB/0/3/4
TE/1/1/4
EDGE/12/5/2
DT/4/2/6
LB/7/4/6
CB/5/4/4
S/3/4/5
The consensus from the 3 sites for Miami was:
Critical Needs: OG, CB, WR
High Needs: OT, EDGE
Moderate Need: S
TE was almost a moderate need.
Tuesday night, when each team goes on the clock, I will post what their needs are.
I won’t be able to make the mock on Tuesday but I look forward to reading the results
Thanks Mike – Should be fun Tuesday! Hope we get at least half a dozen people to do it, but we’ll run with what we got
Cincy needs a safety. I wonder if we would consider trading one of of first rounders to them for theirs next year, and maybe some other picks.
Cincy gave Lawrence another year and $28 million
watched a video on speed. Puka was the main focus
his 40 time 56% for WR, his other 3 combine metrics were worse
running on a curve however he was #1, more of a football move than straight line speed
he also uses he body and rhythm to get open
they said for a WR 40 time was at the bottom for what metric teams look for
We’ve seen plenty of fast 40 guys who can’t get open.
Thank you Giants for getting pick #10. That just increased our chances of getting Caleb Downs.
Yes please
I think they will take Love at 5 if the Titans don’t and they could take Downs at 10.
It’s hard to say what the Titans will do. They have a critical need for Edge and LB over RB.
Giants really seem to like Tyson, so this just increased the chances of Tate and Tyson going in the top 10.
Steve, I compare Sarratt to Puka with the athletics. Not fast but a good release off the LOS. Puka just had more of a route tree in college than Sarratt did.
I don’t see the comparison, but do like Waffle House
It’s going to be interesting in the top 10 of the draft before we pick.
Styles, Reese, Bailey and Bain are as good as gone I think. In the top 10 picks at #2 the Jets have a very high need for LB and Edge. At #3 Cardinals have a critical need for OT, QB and Edge. At #4 Titans have a critical need at Edge and LB. At #5 Giants have a critical need at WR and LB. At #6 Browns have critical needs at OT and WR. At #7 Commanders have a critical need at WR, Center and high need at Safety. At #8 Saints have very high needs at WR and CB but also need Edge and LB. At #9 the Chiefs have a critical need at CB and Edge. At #10 we are back to the Giants.
It’s going to come close for us on getting Downs, Delane or McCoy at #11.
It will also come down to whether Cowboys want to trade up from #12 for someone as they have 2 first round picks. Their critical needs are CB and LB and have a high need for Safety and Edge.
Works for me if Mauigoa falls to #11
I’m not concerned about losing out there will be a good prospect available.
So you can rack your brain for Tuesday on what might happen, here are the needs for the top 12 teams in the draft.
Pick 1 Raiders – Critical QB, OG – High WR – Moderate OT
Pick 2 and 16 Jets – Critical WR, QB – High LB, Edge
Pick 3 Cardinals – Critical OT, QB, Edge – High RB – Moderate LB
Pick 4 Titans – Critical Edge, LB – High WR, Moderate RB, OG
Pick 5 Giants – Critical WR, LB – High OG – Moderate CB, S
Pick 6 Browns – Critical OT, WR – High QB – Moderate CB
Pick 7 Commanders – Critical WR, Center – High Safety, RB
Pick 8 Saints – High WR, CB – Moderate Edge, LB
Pick 9 Chiefs – Critical CB, Edge – High OT – Moderate TE
Pick 10 Giants, see Pick 5
Pick 11 Dolphins – Critical OG, CB, WR – High OT, Edge – Moderate Safety
Pick 12 and 20 Cowboys – Critical CB, LB – High Safety, Edge
These rankings were just updated as they removed DT as the #1 need for the Bengals after the Lawrence trade. Though, I do question the #1 need for the Browns as OT in that they acquired RT Titus Howard in the offseason.
I hope the top 10 picks go according to these needs and 3 WRs go before we pick, or even 2
jets could take Tate, for our mock I may vote for that or a long snapper
I think Mauigoa could be there for us if Cardinals go Edge and Giants go WR at 10.
Though, I think Harbaugh could take Styles at 5, Mauigoa at 10 and plug him into OG, then address WR at #37.
I just did another mock simulation, trading down from R1P30 to R2P35 and some change. After that, I traded around with strict settings… not auto accepting trades.
I came away with FOUR 2nd rounders. This is how it turned out…
R1P11:
Francis Mauigoa
R2P35:
KC Concepcion
R2P43:
Chris Johnson
R2P49:
A.J. Haulcy
R2P60:
Dani Dennis-Sutton
https://x.com/MF13SS/status/2046027490091532345
If this can be done, it would be extraordinary! Probability isn’t very high, but that’s turning water into wine.
of course not happening, but I want to look at it for a while🤣
This would have the makings of a great draft!
Just watched a highlight reel on TE Michael Trigg Baylor
mismatch big slot type of TE, someone we could use, consensus is early day 3
I like Michael Trigg and took him a few times in my early mocks. If he somehow falls to 130, he would be a nice pick there.
It’s going to be interesting to see the players on defense that we draft. Hafley’s base is cover 3 which is 4-7 combinations and a mix of zone and press man. You gotta have a pass rush or it doesn’t work. We’ve shown we can play the run but our pass rush really dipped last year. We are taking a good look at 7 edge guys currently on the roster and I think the reason is because it’s not that deep and we didn’t want to be totally bare if they didn’t fall to us.
Steve, I don’t think we see 3 WR’s go before we pick. Yeah, it would be nice though.
Of the teams with a big need at WR, I could see the Browns take Tate at #6. Jets won’t take one at #2. I could see the Commanders taking Downs or Love at #7. Saints are a possibility for WR unless they go with Delane or Styles or an Edge falls to them. Giants could go with Tyson at #10.
I don’t think the Saints really want to take a WR at #8. I think we see the Cowboys trade up to #8 to take Styles, Downs or Reese/Bailey/Bain if they were to fall. If not, I think the Cowboys still trade up and take Delane.
Then I could see the Saints take Lemon at #12 after the trade.
It sure would be nice if the Browns took Tate at 6, then Saints took Lemon at 8 and Giants took Tyson at 10.
That would almost ensure one of the players we covet will be there at 11.
I just don’t see it happening.
You gotta have a pass rush or it doesn’t work.
—————–
Tim, that is why the Packers went after Parsons last year. Edge is a high need for us. If one of Reese/Bailey/Bain falls to us, I think one of them would trump our critical needs and be BPA also.
Barring nothing crazy happens, I think our first pick will be Mauigoa/Delane or McCoy. That’s my hope anyway.
That’s what I’m saying, edge rushers don’t fall they go early. That’s why Sully loaded up with the numbers game of guys who have shown it before but not consistent.
I agree and there is a huge need for Edge this draft. If we don’t get one at 11 it would not be surprised to see us take like Lawrence or Young at 30. I think Young goes before 30.
I could see Colts, Lions or Bears taking an Edge before we pick again at 30.
I missed that the Eagles have a critical need for edge also and pick at #23 but also have a critical need for OT.
Within our top 7 picks I think we draft Austin Jackson’s replacement next year at RT, a starting guard, CB and S, DL, WR and RB. It will be a physical presence at these positions. Sully and Hafley have talked about physicality without making fun of the prior regime.
The only trade down scenario for us I can really see would be if Downs falls to us due to his knee issue. There are 3 teams with a critical need at safety. The Bengals no longer have a 1st round pick. That leaves the Vikings at 18 and Panthers at 19. It’s rumored and just about every mock has the Vikings taking Thieneman. I could see the Panthers wanting to move in front of the Cowboys for Downs.
I would trade down for the Panthers #19 and #51 or for #19, #83 and #119 or a future pick.
Malik Willis is a total wildcard, the GB guys know him and believe in him. Cool! His production will define the team overall. I love the guy as a person. He’s a genuine dude. Get physical up front on both sides of the ball.
Malik is the difference in rebuild taking 1 year and 3+, if he isn’t the answer we’re basically the Browns or Jets the next 3 yrs
I think he’s the one, this year might be a rough one for him based on our lack of talent
KC could take a WR also, Jordyn Tyson has been mocked to them several times
he’s a miss (injury) or a huge hit, probably somewhere in between is my guess about like Gronk
They do have a need for WR, but they have a bigger need at CB, Edge and even OT. They traded CB McDuffy and have a big need at CB. Their Edges are meh. They have Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Royal they drafted last year at WR.
read something the other day, could’ve been on here, that said Hafley’s D needs pressure on the QB to work
if that’s true do we go Edge at 11?
if Bain falls, maybe take him, but if Delane is there I’m taking him over anyone else
we can get Edge next year or later in draft
I think we would be in good position to get an Edge like Young at 30 or Lawrence at 43. Maybe DDS at 75.
It’s hard to gauge as there is such a big need for the position. Half the league has either a critical or high need for edge.
Is there any defense in the league that doesn’t rely on pressure? Pressure relies on coverage. Coverage relies on pressure. No defense works at a high level without both.
not all Ds are created equal, cover0 requires immediate pressure, as do other blitzing Ds, some zones don’t require much
who knows how aggressive Hafley will be, we may not know until we get the horses
Chris Perkins has an article out, the Dolphins have One Job (for this draft), its behind the pay wall, so I didn’t read it
he’s always been sort of Capt Obvious
the one job is don’t fuck it up
They don’t have to aim for the fence, just play it safe
no early round injured players, unless they fall bigly
Here’s what Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley need to acquire in the NFL Draft — players with the right attitude, guys who have a winning mindset. Yes, they desperately need talent. But they also need the right type of player. Sullivan and Hafley should be looking for competitive traits such as grit, hard work and toughness. This year, characteristics are slightly more essential than talent.
I’ve got player preferences for the Dolphins in this draft, which begins Thursday night, and I wouldn’t mind seeing them double down on defense in the first round.
Ideally, I’d like to see the Dolphins select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane or Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 11. But there’s a chance neither is there, so I’d probably go with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.
And then perhaps an edge rusher at No. 30, either Missouri’s Zion Young or Auburn Keldric Faulk or even UCF’s Malachi Lawrence.
But for now, let’s focus elsewhere.
The Dolphins don’t need to worry about filling needs with their 11 selections in the draft. The Dolphins don’t need to worry about getting the BPA (Best Player Available) with their two first-round picks, Nos. 11 and 30.
Sullivan and Hafley, in their first season in charge, are establishing a culture, a way of doing things. Obviously, you want to win, and winning is always important.
This season, however, laying a foundation is equally as important.
What’s the mold for a 2026 Miami Dolphins draftee?
Look at some of the Dolphins’ current leaders. Center Aaron Brewer. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Running back De’Von Achane. Left tackle Patrick Paul. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler.
They’re all hard-working, class acts. They range from a first-round pick (Brooks) to a seventh-round pick (Sieler). They have recent All Pro selections (Brewer and Brooks), a recent Pro Bowl selection (Achane), and players who haven’t been honored in that fashion but could have or might earn such an honor in the future (Sieler and Paul).
We’ve all seen how badly things can go for the Dolphins when they have the wrong players whether it’s showing up late for team meetings, not showing up for player-only video sessions, coming up short in the most competitive games on the schedule, or, at the extreme end of the spectrum, having a bullying scandal.
Of course, you need quality players. After all, this is the NFL, and talent is essential.
So, let’s talk about talent.
At No. 11, if the Dolphins select Delane, they potentially get a shutdown cornerback, which is a rare skill in this league. McCoy, who missed 2025 with an ACL injury but doesn’t have an injury history aside from that, offers a similar talent. I like both of these guys.
I’ve always favored having a pair of top-notch cornerbacks in the Sam Madison-Patrick Surtain mold, who I covered with the yesteryear Dolphins. I was excited about the prospect of the Dolphins cornerback duo of Jalen Ramsey-Xavien Howard in 2023, but injuries wiped out their effectiveness.
Delane or Cook, perhaps, starts Miami on a promising path.
If Mauigoa is there at No. 11, that’s a great selection because he’s the best offensive lineman in the draft, a guy who could play guard as a rookie and then slide over to right tackle in 2027, assuming this is the final year for veteran right tackle Austin Jackson.
Mauigoa is probably the only offensive lineman that makes sense at No. 11. It’s a bit too high for Utah’s Spencer Fano, a swing tackle who has spent the last two seasons on the right side.
As for wide receivers, No. 11 is probably too high for anyone except Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, who will likely be gone. I’d definitely scoop up Tate if he’s available. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson could be an option, but his injuries (knee as a freshman, collarbone as a junior, hamstring as a senior) are troubling.
At No. 30, perhaps Washington’s Denzel Boston is available, and he’d provide a big-bodied (6-3, 212) player who can go up and get the ball, which immediately offers situational options ranging from third down to red zone.
Also at No. 30, Young and Lawrence are pass-rushing specialists, which is a big need, while Faulk is a big (6–foot-5, 276 pounds), physical run-stuffer/space-eater, and this defense could use physicality.
Doubling up on defense makes sense considering the Dolphins might not have a starting-caliber defensive back on the roster right now (safeties Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Dante Trader are promising, as are cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Storm Duck), and among the defensive linemen only Sieler is reliable. And he’s coming off a disappointing season statistically.
So, that’s the talent part of the draft.
But if I’m Sullivan and Hafley, I’m focusing on the person.
If an organization has the right type of people, top to bottom, it can be more than the sum of its parts.
I would love to be in the draft war room. Can you imagine how cool that be?
Talent first….character second. I’m not drafting character in the first couple rounds. Now, the guy can’t be a character problem, but I’m not drafting character over talent high in any draft. If I have 2-3 guys at a position I like equally, then I have the luxury of considering character more. It’s also a case where if I have 2-3 guys at different positions I like equally then I may shift to one over the other due to character. It’s another bit of data that needs to be taken into account.
This is the kinda thing people say until those character guys can’t beat the more talented guys. Why can’t coaches build character in players anymore? Mold these young men. I know a lot of young people are entitled little shits, but you can build a culture that takes care of that.
I keep hearing about these great character guys on this team. Where were these guys the last 2 years? I must have missed where they held other players accountable. So, now they’re gonna be leaders? Is that how leadership works these days? Call me skeptical, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
steve,
I think most teams play defense pretty similar these days. There is a ton of defense like Fangio runs. Keep everything in front of you. Don’t let teams go deep. Make tackles. You don’t see much cover zero. Flores, for instance, shows cover zero and then drops to something else, but I don’t see a ton of standard cover zero. It’s a lot of 2 deep stuff.
Who tops the list of all-time Miami Dolphins NFL Draft busts?
By Hal Habib:
1. DE Dion Jordan, Oregon (1st round, 2013)
He was drafted third overall following a trade-up and produced three sacks as a Dolphin. “I didn’t have my life in order,” he admitted on a podcast last year.
2. DE Eric Kumerow, Ohio State (1st, 1988)
WHO??? That was the giant headline in The Miami Herald after the Dolphins made a major reach nobody saw coming. He never started for the Dolphins.
3. DE Don Reese, Jackson State (1st, 1974)
It’s not just his play that hurt the franchise. He was arrested for selling cocaine to undercover agents and wrote a first-person story about it.
4. OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford (2nd, 2012)
Simply wasn’t cut out for the NFL, as we all now know.
5. CB Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn (1st, 2020)
Three years in Miami. Five starts. One interception. But the Dolphins were so enamored with his athleticism.
6. CB Cam Smith, South Carolina (2nd, 2023)
Never started a game in his two NFL seasons. But still managed to have oodles of strained muscles. Go figure.
7. LB Jackie Shipp, Oklahoma (1st, 1984)
Best thing we can say about this pick is two years after it, the Dolphins righted the wrong by bringing in John Offerdahl.
8. CB Jamar Fletcher, Wisconsin (1st, 2001)
It not just that he gave the Dolphins little. It’s that he was selected and Drew Brees wasn’t (not for the last time with the Dolphins, of course).
9. CB Jason Allen, Tennessee (1st, 2006)
Dolphins passed over Devin Hester for a role guy. Dolphins certainly have whiffed on some CBs, haven’t they?
10. DE Charles Harris, Missouri (1st, 2017)
Amassed 3.5 sacks in three seasons in Miami. Still managed to stick around in the NFL for five seasons after that. Dolphins certainly have whiffed on some defensive players, haven’t they?
Yatil Green was a bust, injury bust, but bust nonetheless
John Bosa also a bust
Same as Green. Knee injuries.
I think there’s a case to be made both for and against any given pick @ R1P11. That includes positional value, injury history, positional versatility, need, preference, character, football IQ, general intelligence, work ethic, and dedication to the game.
What’s more, it’s a first-time NFL GM and a first-time NFL HC making these crucial decisions, and we don’t know who may fall into our laps @ R1P11.
In short, I have absolutely NO CLUE or even HINTS as to who we will take @ R1P11 on Thursday night! It’s like that wrapped Christmas present under the Christmas tree with your name on it, trying to figure what it could possibly be.
Maybe it’s THIS, or maybe it’s THAT… or maybe it’s something you never asked for, but you NEEDED!
I’M GETTING AMPED UP FOR THURSDAY NIGHT!!!
Just PLEASE don’t enroll me in the “Jelly of the Month Club” when I have plans to put in a swimming pool…
Spencer Fano and The Way of the Wolf
Spencer Fano and The Way of the Wolf
When trying to understand what the new Dolphins regime will do on Thursday night without any sort of history, you can only fall back on the tendencies of familiarity.
For 21 seasons, Jon-Eric Sullivan worked in Green Bay in an office above the spectacular atrium at Lambeau Field. There he would wander the corridors to sit in meetings with men like Ted Thompson, Bob Harlan, John Dorsey, Reggie McKenzie, John Schneider, Russ Ball, Eliot Wolf, Scot McCloughan, Tim Terry, Brian Gutenkunst, and Alonzo Highsmith, soaking up the Green Bay way. Many of them would go on to be general managers themselves, sharing twenty-one Super Bowl titles between them.
Whilst the physical work for the Packers players was done at the Don Hutson training centre, a Jordan Love deep ball across South Oneida Street from Lambeau, the bones and the beating heart of those Super Bowl crowns were put in place in those offices, with long skull sessions between those aforementioned names, all of whom were soaking up what’s known as The Way of the Wolf: the lessons passed down by the great Ron Wolf, who shaped the modern Packers and indirectly the teams those men went on to run.
And it will shape what the Dolphins do this weekend, most especially on Thursday night. And why, for any avoidance of doubt, despite the Dolphin on their shirts, we shouldn’t ignore what Carrying the G has meant to the man who kicks off this new era of drafting in South Florida at around 9.15 pm on Thursday night.
In Wolf’s world, there were several non-negotiables, and they’ve stayed with the men he brought through the front office ranks in Green Bay. Amongst his mantras were these gems: “identify what needs to be fixed, then go fix it”; “draft a QB every year, no matter the current roster situation”; “build from the inside out”; “cornerstone pieces are invaluable”; and an utter insistence on a “home-grown roster”. A few years ago, Press Gazette Media crunched the numbers to find that between 2005 and 2015, Ted Thompson, who took over from Wolf as Packers GM, drafted 104 players, and Green Bay led the NFL with 1,860 starts and 3,267 games played from drafted players – 119 more starts and 106 more games played by drafted players than any NFL team. Sullivan was there for every one of those years, and as we’ve already heard from him, building through the draft is a non-negotiable in Miami, too.
Consider our new GM, like Carmy Berzatto from The Bear. And his draft board is akin to breaking down the boxes, changing the menu every day, and having no hidden surprises.
Wolf was always honest in player assessments. Once, during a post-draft radio interview in which he was asked what he would say to angry Packer fans about the disappointing performance of first-round pick Terrell Buckley, he said simply: “Well, the fans of the Green Bay Packers are correct.” With T-Buck, he got away from his basic tenet of “height, weight, speed,” selected an undersized cornerback, and paid the price.
Non-negotiables.
The Packers have been one of the league’s very best when it comes to drafting on the offensive line, especially during Sullivan’s tenure, with an astounding success rate. Between 2004 and 2022, they selected 32 linemen. Nine of those 32 played more than 100 games in the NFL. Thirteen played 90+ games. Only three of the thirty-two never suited up once in a regular or postseason game. If you average that out, it would be 71.1 games per player for those thirty-two picks. That is some accomplishment, especially when you assess the caliber: Daryn Colledge, Allen Barbre, Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, Marshall Newhouse, Bryan Bulaga, JC Tretter, David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, Elgton Jenkins, Zach Tom.
Arguably, the most Green Bay linemen in this draft have a tantalizing value of around the 11th overall pick. He’s also the 11th-ranked player on my big board, a multi-year starter at left and right tackle who won the Outland Trophy last season, awarded to the best interior lineman in college football.
Yet there’s apathy amongst a section of Miami fans as to whether he’s worth it, with many saying – incorrectly – he’s not tough enough. When I was included in a multi-person conversation about this very point on social media the other day I proffered that this was a false narrative that someone said once and then it had been passed around and deemed to be true. So I put together a reel of him doing exactly the opposite of what this narrative suggested: pancakes, torquing guys to the ground, knockdown blocks, running guys into the sideline, smashing dudes, and throwing guys out of the club.
There wasn’t a single reply.
Spencer Fano is a really good player who has some eye-catching plays in pass protection and some dominant performances as a run blocker. He has terrific size and looks – and in many ways, moves – like a tight end. A 35-game starter – 11 at LT, 24 at RT – he finished up as an All American and the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and has been mentored by uncles, Spencer Reid (Carolina) and Gabe Reid (Chicago) and relations Tenny Palepoi who played 44 games for the Chargers, and Anton Palepoi who was a second round pick of the Seahawks.
Fano began playing football in kindergarten – as well as wrestling – but owing to his size, he played with older, third-grade children, originally starting as an RB until transitioning to the offensive line in 8th grade, a position he initially didn’t want to play as he saw himself as a defensive lineman. People have talked about his lack of strength and his short arms. There are times on his tape where his anchor comes under pressure, but he has fallback strength late in the rep, and although his 32 and 7/8 inches are a little short, he also has a giant 84-inch wingspan. Does he need a little more sand in his pants? Absolutely. Is it an issue? Absolutely not. I asked an AFC West scouting director last weekend, who scoffed and said simply: “Have you seen him run blocking?!”
And he’s right. This is a strong zone blocker who gets consistent movement off the line, able to get leverage and explode into defenders with good hand work, driving his hips, and he’s a strong finisher. He’s nimble as a mover, has outstanding lateral range, and can latch and turn.
In my Low Redzone DraftBook that I write every year, I wrote that Fano can be “an upper echelon RT through the duration of his first contract” and that, ironically, he “reminds me of Green Bay’s Zach Tom.” Their similarities won’t have gone unnoticed on Sullivan either, especially given the success he had with guys who look like they can dominate at one position but have the ability to play multiple spots. My podcast partner and friend, Kyle Crabbs, believes Fano could be an All-Pro caliber center should the need arise.
Yet some Dolphins fans see that sort of diversification as a weakness. Trust me, scouts and coaches see it as a universal strength.
Spencer Fano is one of the 11 best players in the draft, and I think it’s important to remember something that Albert Breer said about the Jaylen Waddle trade. Miami is aiming for 2028 as the year they’re really competitive. If you’re drafting a cornerstone position – Way of the Wolf – and allowing him to grow whilst you grow – Way of the Wolf – especially when he helps you build inside out – Way of the Wolf – then you can’t go far wrong.
You can’t go far wrong with this kid.
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IF this is what Sully thinks, then I’m all for it at 11.
Downs dropping to me screwed up my order. (I left Fano and Freeling on the board to take him)
11. Caleb Downs S Ohio State B+
30. Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State B+
43. Malachi Lawrence EDGE UCF B-
75. Ted Hurst WR Georgia State A+
87. Drew Shelton OT Penn State B-
90. Max Klare TE Ohio State B+
94. Dani Dennis-Sutton EDGE Penn State C
130. Jalen Farmer OG Kentucky B-
151. Ephesians Prysock CB Washington B+
227. Riley Nowakowski FB Indiana C-
238. Romello Brinson WR SMU B-
OUTSTANDING!!! I’d take that!!!
Tom Pelissero reported earlier today that we Phins brought PSU QB Drew Allar in for a ’30 visit’.
Barry Jackson reports we brought Max Iheanachor in for a ’30 visit’.
M – I’d love to get Allar, I just don’t see it happening now, but you never know!
Exactly… ya never know!
IMO, if Allar falls to the 4th round, I’d select him.
Mike E,
Know who else we Phins brought in for a ’30 visit’? Arkansas QB Taylen Green.
Taylen Green reminds me very much of young Colin Kaepernick out of Nevada… not the BLM drama-queen that he became as a 49er.
Green is a bit unpolished, but he’s such an incredible athlete. He additionally reminds me of Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Malik Willis… who is now our starting QB. 😉
I’d take a mid round flyer