Now that the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl have concluded, we’re past one of the first major checkpoints of the draft process. That means it’s time for our initial 2026 NFL mock draft.
The Dolphins, under the guidance of new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new coach Jeff Hafley, have eight picks in the April 23-25 draft — one in the first round (No. 11), one in the second (43), three in the third (75, 87 and 90), one in the fourth (111), one in the fifth (149) and one in the seventh (227).
The Dolphins have a multitude of needs with quarterback, cornerback and edge rusher/outside linebacker atop the list. But interior defensive line, tight end, reserve offensive line and wide receiver are also needed.
Sullivan and Hafley have said they’d like to be strong on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
They’ve also said they recognize the importance of the quarterback position. But it’s doubtful that anyone thinks the Dolphins can get a starting-caliber quarterback at No. 11. Or, put another way, it’s doubtful that anyone thinks Alabama’s Ty Simpson is worth the 11th overall pick. But the draft process is just beginning. And it’s not a far climb. Stay tuned.
By the way, there are no trades in this mock draft. Here we go:
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The rebuild starts with a strong-armed quarterback who is also the best QB in the draft. And according to reports the Raiders are set to hire an offensive-minded head coach.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State
Pair Reese (6.5 sacks) with DE Will McDonald IV (8.0 sacks) and you have a better chance against Bills QB Josh Allen and Patriots QB Drake Maye.
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Bailey (14.5 sacks) and DE Josh Sweat (12.0 sacks) would form a tough pass rushing duo. Plus, it appears QB Kyler Murray is on his way out, so perhaps selecting a pass rusher over a pass protector makes more sense.
4. Tennessee Titans: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Bain (9.5 sacks) combines power with speed as a pass rusher. New coach Robert Saleh, a defensive-minded guy, will value Bain’s skills, especially when paired with DT Jeffery Simmons (11.0 sacks).
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tate (875 yards, 9 TDs) would pair with WR Malik Nabers to give QB Jaxson Dart a top-notch receiving duo, something that would help new coach John Harbaugh ease his transition. And when RB Cam Skattebo (ankle/leg) returns they’d be lethal.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Whether or not quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the starter, the QB needs pass protection and with Mauigoa at RT and Dawand Jones (knee) at LT, there’s hope. If Maugioa is gone, look at Utah OT Spencer Fano for the Browns.
7. Washington Commanders: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
Faulk (6 foot 6, 285 pounds) excels at run defense. Washington was last in defense (384 yards allowed per game) and No. 30 against the run (141.8 ypg allowed).
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Tyson (711 yards receiving, 8 TDs) is a tremendous talent, and coach Kellen Moore could help QB Tyler Shough greatly with a good WR.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Chiefs always need to protect QB Patrick Mahomes. That’s been reinforced in their Super Bowl losses.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs (2 INTs, 2 forced fumbles, 5 tackles for loss) brings a linebacker mentality to the secondary. And he has a high football IQ.
Mansoor Delane, while with Virginia Tech, celebrates after recovering a fumble in 2023. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images file)
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Delane (2 INTs, 11 passes defended) is regarded as the best CB in the draft and brings high-end coverage skills. Miami could be loaded at CB depending on whether Kader Kohou (knee) and Storm Duck (knee) continue progressing, and whether JuJu Brents, Jack Jones and/or Rasul Douglas returns.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love (1,327 yards rushing, 18 TDs) can do it all whether it’s short yardage or explosive plays. Yes, Dallas could use defensive help but this is the first of two first-round picks.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy missed the 2025 season with a knee injury but he’s expected to be at full strength for training camp. This is the first of two first-round picks for the Rams.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Ioane is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft and his combination of power and size set him apart. The Ravens need protection for QB Lamar Jackson and running lanes for RB Derrick Henry.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Howell (11.5 sacks) knows how to get to the quarterback. Tampa Bay’s defense was tied for 20th in points allowed and 19th in defense (337.2 ypg allowed) last season.
16. New York Jets: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
It just makes sense here. The Jets need a QB, and taking Simpson (28 TDs, 5 INTs) at No. 2 is too high so taking him with their second first-round pick fits.
17. Detroit Lions: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Woods (30 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.5 TFL) had a down year in 2025, but his strength and athleticism are there. He fits the Lions’ physical personality.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell is a sticky, ball-hawking defender who had nine passes defended, five forced fumbles, 3.0 sacks and 4.5 TFLs last season.
19. Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Mesidor (12.5) should be an immediate impact type of player, and that’s what the Panthers (30 sacks, 28th in the league) need.
Illinois’ Luke Altmyer is tackled by Ohio State LB Sonny Styles at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
20. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles features athleticism along with his workmanlike tackling skill. Dallas, which was No. 2 in the league in offense, ranked No. 30 in defense so help is clearly needed.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Lemon (5-11, 195) had 1,156 yards receiving and 11 TDs last season and has a bright future as a slot WR. In this case he’d complement big WR DK Metcalf.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald is a gifted run stopper who adds the punch at the line of scrimmage. The offense’s big offseason was coordinator Mike McDaniel, the ex-Dolphins coach; this is the defense’s big addition.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: T.J. Parker, OLB, Clemson
Parker (5.0 sacks) had a down season in 2025. But he’s twitchy, long-armed and skilled and should be a good fit for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
24. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Boston (881 yards, 11 TDs) gives the Browns what they need with their second first-round pick — a quality WR. This helps set up Shedeur Sanders, or whoever the starter is, for success.
25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Banks only played three games last season due to a foot injury but he can rush the passer from the inside, a valuable skill, as he showed with his 4.5 sacks in 2024.
26. Buffalo Bills: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Hunter is a top-notch run stuffer whose stock is soaring after the Senior Bowl. Buffalo’s run defense was horrific at 136.2 ypg allowed, 28th in the league.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu secures the future beyond All Pro LT Trent Williams, who is 37 years old and entering the final year of his contract.
28. Houston Texans: Emmanuel Pregnon, G-C, Oregon
Pregnon helps shore up the OL, which is a major concern. QB C.J. Stroud has suffered as the Texans’ OL has struggled, so fixing this area is a key to the future.
29. Los Angeles Rams: Kadyn Proctor, OT-G, Alabama
Proctor (6-7, 366) is largely a LT but the Rams would slide him to RT. Proctor is accomplished as both a run blocker and pass protector.
30. Denver Broncos: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq (560 yards, 8 TDs) is an impressive physical specimen who is also immensely skilled. He should provide immediate help for QB Bo Nix.
**31. New England Patriots: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Concepcion (919 yards, 9 TDs) is a slippery, dangerous playmaker who also excels as a return man. QB Drake Maye would get a player who can score from anywhere on the field.
**32. Seattle Seahawks: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Hood (50 tackles, 4.5 TFL) is best in man coverage and would be a boost for one of the league’s top defenses. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl, which helps his draft stock.
**Note: Order for last two picks depends on outcome of the Super Bowl.
Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is tackled by Indiana’s Isaiah Jones during a College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 09 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)