Charlie Campbell
Solid Starter
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech – Round 2 
My favorite draft classes were the Dolphins and Buccaneers. I thought both teams drafted extremely well with excellent values at each spot and really improved their rosters significantly in the 2026 NFL Draft. I think Miami could get more bang for its buck with some huge impact players, and therefore, I give them the edge for the best draft class in 2026. It would not surprise me if the Dolphins look back at this draft as a turning point for their franchise. They landed some core building blocks on both sides of the ball. It would not surprise me if Miami has at least five starters from this draft class in a year or two, with some solid backups and role players. Thus, it was challenging for me to pick which player I wanted to project as a solid starter from this draft class.
In the ground game, Rodriguez is a force. He is a very good pursuit linebacker who uses his excellent instincts to chase down backs. With great anticipation, Rodriguez is always around the ball and puts himself in position to make a lot of plays. He has a nice burst and attacks downhill. His background as a quarterback shows advanced ability to read his keys and get in position to make tackles. He attacks the ball and has tremendous ball awareness to go for the strip with a knack for making game-changing plays. Rodriguez has adequate speed and athleticism, but he is not elite in those regards. Rodriguez can get bounced around by offensive linemen, and he will need to work on taking on and shedding blocks from pro offensive linemen.
In pass coverage, Rodriguez is able to contribute as well. Rodriguez can move around the field in space in zone coverage, picking up receivers and covering up receiving options. He has shown nice read-and-react skills with the ability to eat up ground. Rodriguez shows good instincts to read the quarterback’s eyes, and that allows him to disrupt passing lanes. He was very adept at jumping routes for interceptions and pass breakups. Rodriguez will need some coaching on technique if his system requires him to play some man coverage on tight ends or backs. He could have some struggles in man coverage to prevent separation. Rodriguez also had some busted coverages last season in college, so he will need some coaching on his diagnosis and recognition. However, the talent is there for Rodriguez to be a three-down starter and a contributor in coverage.
The Dolphins have a good starter at middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and Rodriguez could compete to be the Will linebacker next to Brooks. In time, they could move on from Brooks, and Rodriguez could take over as the starting Mike backer. I think he is a safe pick to turn into a quality starter for Miami.
2025: Jonah Savaiinaea, G
2024: Patrick Paul, OT
2023: Cam Smith, CB
2022: Channing Tindall, LB
2021: Jevon Holland, S
2020: Noah Igbinoghene, CB
2019: Michael Deiter, G
2018: Jerome Baker, LB
2017: Raekwon McMillan, LB
2016: Xavien Howard, CB
2015: DeVante Parker, WR
2014: JaWuan James, OT
2013: Dallas Thomas, G
Most Likely To Bust
Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech – Round 3 I think the Dolphins had a great draft, and it would not surprise me if they hit on all their early-round picks. Douglas was the one that stoodout as some risk to me. I think he could contribute as an outside receiver, but I would not be surprised if he tops out only as a backup. I think Douglas could have some issues with drops, and he is not impressive on 50-50 passes despite being a tall receiver. I could see Douglas being the only one of their early-round picks who is a potential disappointment.
2025: Jason Marshall Jr., CB
2024: None
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Hunter Long, TE
2020: Brandon Jones, S
2019: Andrew Van Ginkel, LB
2018: Mike Gesicki, TE
2017: Cordrea Tankersley, CB
2016: Leonte Carroo, WR
2015: Bobby McCain, CB
2014: Billy Turner, G
2013: Jelani Jenkins, LB
Potential Boom Pick
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama – Round 1 
The Dolphins landed a tackle with an outstanding skill set in Proctor. Even if Proctor starts out at guard, moves to right tackle, or ends up at left tackle, I think he has boom pick potential for Miami. At 6-foot-7, 355 pounds, Proctor is a powerful run blocker and a physical force at the point of attack. He can blast open holes for Devon Achane while improving the pass protection for Malik Willis. Proctor fits Miami’s stated desire to get bigger and more physical. The offensive line has been a problem for the Dolphins the past few years, and Proctor is a huge step forward in fixing it.
As a run blocker, Proctor is a load at the point of attack. Defensive linemen get overwhelmed by his mass, and he is steady to keep the defender from getting in on tackles. Off the ball, Proctor can blast defensive linemen and knock them backward to create movement at the point of attack. Proctor has the power to open holes and roll defenders straight back off the line of scrimmage. He is very good in short-yardage situations at resetting the line of scrimmage, and Alabama has success going behind Proctor in obvious run downs. Proctor also shows some ability to fire to the second level and pull to his right. He has enough movement to get to spots and will dish out a violent hit or shove on second-level defenders. Proctor looks like a plus run blocker for the next level.
In pass protection, Proctor uses his size well to neutralize bull rushes. He has a propensity to play a little too high and needs to improve his ability to bend at the knee, but his mass is so tough to move that even when his positioning is not perfect, defensive linemen struggle to win on a bull rush. Proctor could stand to improve his hand placement to improve his ability to sustain blocks. Proctor did okay against speed rushers in 2024, but he needs to improve his kick slide for taking on the NFL speed that will come at him every week as a pro. Keeping his weight and conditioning in check will help him to do that.
The Dolphins have had offensive line issues for years, and Proctor was a great step towards turning that around. He could turn into an elite tackle in the NFL, and he has real boom pick potential for Miami.
2025: Kenneth Grant, DT
2024: Chop Robinson, DE
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Jaelan Phillips, DE
2020: Austin Jackson, OT
2019: Christian Wilkins, DT
2018: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
2017: Charles Harris, DE
2016: Laremy Tunsil, OT
2015: Jordan Phillips, DT
2014: Jarvis Landry, WR
2013: Dion Jordan, LB
Future Depth Player
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville – Round 3 
I think Bell has the potential to be a solid starter or even a boom pick for Miami, but at least he should be a good rotational receiver. What really sets Bell apart is what he can do as a possession receiver. Bell is a dangerous receiver who is not a burner with elite speed, but he makes up for it with polish, physicality, and strength. With good route-running and strong, reliable hands, Bell is a chain mover that does the dirty work in the short to intermediate part of the field.
Bell is very dangerous with the ball in his hands. He uses his strong frame to break tackles and is very difficult for a lot of defensive backs to get on the ground. His strength to run through their hands makes it difficult for them to get a hold of him. While he isn’t super elusive and is more straight-line, Bell does have the feet to dodge some tacklers in the open field. For the NFL, Bell has yards after the catch potential, and he could be a great fit in a West Coast offense. Bell is fantastic running the core routes of slants, digs, and crossers in the short-to-intermediate part of the field. With his strength and ability to catch the ball in traffic, Bell is a nice weapon in the red zone. Bell tracks the ball well while using late hands to make the reception. He flashes his strength to make contested catches and win 50-50 passes.
Bell slid in the draft because of his season ACL tear, and some teams had concerns about his ability to learn their systems. I think Bell landed in a perfect spot, as Miami is just starting a rebuild, and they can be patient with Bell. They could even stash him in 2026 to let him learn the playbook, terminology, and rehab to help him hit the ground running in 2027. I think Bell could be a starter in 2027 and beyond, but he should at least be a good depth receiver for the Dolphins.
2025: Quinn Ewers, QB
2024: Mohamed Kamara, OLB
2023: Devon Achane, RB
2022: Rik Ezukanma, WR
2021: Liam Eichenberg, OT
2020: Jason Strowbridge, DE
2019: Isaiah Prince, OT
2018: Kalen Ballade, RB
2017: Davon Godchaux, DT
2016: Kenyon Drake, RB
2015: Jay Ajayi, RB
2014: Arthur Lynch, TE
2013: Mike Gillislee, RB
Walt
