We’re inching ever closer to the start of the 2026 NFL Draft — with the first round kicking off in just two days on Thursday, April 23rd.
As we know, the Miami Dolphins hold two first round picks in this year’s selection process — #11 and #30 (courtesy of the trade that saw wide receiver Jaylen Waddle shipped off to the Denver Broncos). With plenty of ammunition, and even more holes on the roster, could we see new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan maneuver up and down the board later this week?
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated certainly thinks so.
In Orr’s latest mock draft released Tuesday morning, he has the Dolphins trading with the Philadelphia Eagles — giving up pick #11 in exchange for pick #23 and a 2027 first round selection. He has the Eagles making the move for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Just after Philadelphia’s pick, he has Miami Hurricanes pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. being selected at pick #12, with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon going at pick #13.
With their two first round picks, Orr has the Dolphins taking wide receiver KC Concepcion from Texas A&M at #23 and cornerback Chris Johnson from San Diego State at pick #30.
If Sullivan were to make a move like this — acquiring an additional first round pick in a 2027 draft that is considered by many experts to have the potential to be generational, while still addressing two major needs in the first round of 2026 — plenty of Dolphins fans would surely be impressed. Even if passing on Rueben Bain Jr. is the cost of doing business.