8 NFL draft prospects Miami Dolphins must interview at scouting combine
· Yahoo Sports
Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is bringing "The Packers Way" to South Florida.
This largely means focusing on the best available players in the NFL Draft, with less of a focus on positional needs.
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Fortunately for Sully, the Dolphins have needs at almost every position.
Sullivan and first-year coach Jeff Hafley will hit the ground running in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine starting on Monday, February 23.
Miami Dolphins' 2026 NFL Draft needs
The Dolphins have needs at cornerback, defensive end/edge, quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and guard.
It could be argued Miami also has needs at offensive tackle, center, defensive tackle and safety.
Miami fired coach Mike McDaniel after finishing 7-10 last season. McDaniel failed to lead Miami to the playoffs in his final two seasons and failed to win a playoff game in his four total seasons.
Miami has already elected to release edge rusher Bradley Chubb and Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa is likely to be gone in the near future, as the team begins a dramatic rebuild.
In the first mock draft In the first Palm Beach Post NFL mock draft of 2026, cornerback Mansoor Delane of LSU was tabbed for the Dolphins at No. 11 overall.
NFL Combine: 8 players Miami Dolphins must interview
LSU CB Mansoor Delane
How does Mansoor Delane fit Dolphins? The Dolphins need a top cornerback and this is a position of priority for any team in the first round. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network says Delane is one of the most consistent players in this draft class: "He makes everything look easy in coverage as a corner who is extremely loose and fluid in his change of direction."
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy
How does Jermod McCoy fit Dolphins? It's very possible that one of these two cornerback options is in fact the best option as the first pick of the Jon-Eric Sullivan era. McCoy missed last season with a torn ACL. So that he's considered this good of a prospect tells you all you need to know. This is a complete cornerback prospect.
Ohio State S Caleb Downs
How does Caleb Downsfit Dolphins? What if Downs is a Gold Jacket (Pro Football Hall of Fame) player? In that case, well, yeah, the Dolphins would have to consider Downs at 11 - even though he plays safety. He's versatile. He's athletic. He's a complete safety.
Penn State G/C Olaivavega Ioane
How does Olaivavega Ioanefit Dolphins? A guard, huh? Well, this guy fits what Miami wants to become - he is power in the trenches. Ioane tosses people and the Dolphins haven't had a guy like that since, well, maybe departed Robert Hunt. Miami would have to decide if they really want to draft a guard that high and if his power-over-speed pedigree fits their offensive plans.
Alabama QB Ty Simpson
How does Ty Simpson fit Dolphins? If Jon-Eric Sullivan, Jeff Hafley and Bobby Slowik like Simpson, they won't have the emotional attachment of former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa weighing too heavily on their minds. There is no position that has more value than quarterback and Simpson vs. Quinn Ewers would make for an interesting camp. If Miami were to move down or if Simpson were to slide to Round 2, it's even more intriguing. QBs Drew Allar of Penn State (6-foot-5) and Taylen Green of Arkansas (6-foot-6) will surely also be on Miami's interview docket as later options.
Utah OT Spencer Fano
How does Spencer Fanofit Dolphins? Fano is an excellent athlete who would fit into Miami's zone blocking scheme at right tackle. He would be a nice young mirror for left tackle Patrick Paul. Fano is solid in both pass pro and run block.
Miami OT Francis Mauigoa
How does Francis Mauigoafit Dolphins? If this monster from American Samoa somehow slides, he's a great option as Miami's right tackle of the future. Durable. Powerful. Smart.
Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
How does Jordyn Tysonfit Dolphins? The Dolphins will eventually need to replace Tyreek Hill and Tyson could fit the bill. Tyson is fluid. Creative. Explosive. He can make game-changing deep-ball catches. Tyson does have an injury history, which Miami must investigate further.
Miami Dolphins Draft Picks
- Round 1: (11th overall)
- Round 2: (43rd overall)
- Round 3: (75th overall)
- Round 3: (87th overall)
- Round 3 (90th overall)
- Round 4 (to be determined)
- Round 5 (to be determined)
- Round 7 (to be determined)
NFL Combine Schedule
- Day 1: DL, LB, K (Thursday, Feb. 26)
- Day 2: DB, TE (Friday, Feb. 27)
- Day 3: QB, RB, WR (Saturday, Feb. 28)
- Day 4: OL (Sunday, March 1)
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Top 8 Miami Dolphins NFL draft prospects to watch at NFL combine