Winning in the NFL isn't just about having a star quarterback; it’s about the guys you put around him. For the Miami Dolphins, that philosophy has been put to the ultimate test lately. If you look at the dolphins 1st round picks over the last few years, you see a team basically trying to build a wall and a pass rush at the same time. Some of it worked. Some of it? Well, it’s complicated.
Fans always want the flashy wide receiver or the highlight-reel running back. But Chris Grier, the Dolphins' GM, has been obsessed with the "trenches" lately. Whether it's a twitchy edge rusher or a 330-pound mountain of a human from Michigan, the strategy is clear: win the line of scrimmage, win the game. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble when you consider how many holes this roster has had.
The Kenneth Grant Era: A Massive Bet
In the 2025 NFL Draft, Miami went with Kenneth Grant at the 13th overall spot. If you haven't seen this guy play, he’s basically a refrigerator with track spikes. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 331 pounds, the Michigan product was supposed to be the anchor the Dolphins desperately needed after losing some veteran presence on the interior.
You've probably heard the critics. People were calling him a "reach" early on. Why? Because his stats at Michigan weren't exactly eye-popping. He had maybe 6.5 sacks in three years. But NFL scouts don't care about college sacks for a nose tackle; they care about "gravity." Grant draws double teams. He frees up the linebackers.
His rookie season in 2025 was a bit of a roller coaster, though. He started slow. Like, really slow. There were games where he looked a step behind the pace of the NFL. But toward the end of the year, something clicked. By Week 18, he was actually starting to push pockets back. It wasn't always pretty—he finished with a "C" grade from some major outlets—but the potential is there. He’s a project that needs to hit the gym even harder this offseason.
Why Chop Robinson Was a "Statement" Pick
Before Grant, there was Chop Robinson. Taken 21st overall in 2024, Chop was the definition of a "traits" pick. He had the best first step in his draft class. Seriously, his get-off is ridiculous.
The Dolphins were in a weird spot when they took him. They had Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, but both were coming off major injuries. They needed insurance. They needed speed. Chop provided that, even if he was a bit raw coming out of Penn State.
The Linebacker Legacy
It’s kinda interesting when you look at the history here. Chop was only the sixth linebacker the Dolphins have ever taken in the first round.
- A.J. Duhe (1977)
- Jackie Shipp (1984)
- Jaelan Phillips (2021)
- Chop Robinson (2024)
Picking a pass rusher in the first round is a high-stakes move. If they don't get 10 sacks, fans call them a bust. But the Dolphins saw something in Chop's pressure rate. He led the Big Ten in that category (18.6%) during his time in college. Even when he isn't getting the sack, he's making the QB move. That matters.
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The Trade That Changed Everything: Jaelan Phillips
You can't talk about dolphins 1st round picks without mentioning the 2021 class. Jaelan Phillips was a superstar in the making. 22 sacks in his first three seasons? That’s elite production. But then, the 2025 trade deadline happened.
In a move that shocked a lot of people in South Florida, the Dolphins traded Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Why would they do that?
- Contract leverage: Phillips was on an expiring deal and was going to cost a fortune to keep.
- Asset management: Miami got a 2026 third-round pick (which we now know is the 87th overall) in return.
- The "New" Front Office: With Jon-Eric Sullivan taking over as GM recently, the team seems to be pivoting toward a "youth movement" and clearing cap space for 2027.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. Trading away a homegrown first-round hit is rarely popular. But it shows that the Dolphins are willing to be cold-blooded to fix their long-term financial health.
The Tua Factor and the Forfeited Picks
We also have to acknowledge the elephant in the room. The Dolphins haven't always had their first-round picks lately. Remember 2023? They didn't have a selection because of the tampering investigation involving Tom Brady and Sean Payton. That basically cost them a premium starter.
And then there’s Tua Tagovailoa. Picked 5th overall in 2020. He’s the most polarizing first-round pick in franchise history. One week he’s a Pro Bowler throwing for 400 yards; the next, everyone is arguing about his arm strength or his health.
But look at the guys drafted around him that year:
- Austin Jackson (18th overall): Took years to develop but became a solid right tackle.
- Noah Igbinoghene (30th overall): A total miss. He never found his footing in Miami.
That 2020 draft was supposed to be the "Great Rebuild." Instead, it’s been a mixed bag of elite talent and total busts.
What to Expect in the 2026 Draft
Now we’re looking at the 2026 NFL Draft. The Dolphins currently hold the 11th overall pick.
The draft needs are glaring. After the Jaelan Phillips trade, they need another edge rusher to pair with Chop Robinson. They also need interior offensive line help because Jonah Savaiinaea (their 2025 second-round pick) had a rough rookie year—giving up 8 sacks.
Honestly, the Dolphins are at a crossroads. They have five picks in the top 100 for 2026. This is the moment where the "Sullivan Era" officially begins. If they miss on this 11th pick, the window for this current core might just slam shut.
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Critical Takeaways for Dolphins Fans
- Stop looking at sack totals: For guys like Kenneth Grant, the value is in the double teams, not the box score.
- The "Youth Movement" is real: The Phillips trade proves the team is prioritizing future cap health over current stars.
- 2026 is the "Make or Break" year: With the 11th pick, they can't afford another "project" like Igbinoghene.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep a close eye on the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, specifically the interior defensive linemen and offensive tackles. Since the Dolphins are sitting at #11, they are in the "sweet spot" for a plug-and-play starter. If a top-tier tackle falls, expect them to jump. Also, check the compensatory pick updates; the Dolphins have been savvy lately at accumulating mid-round capital to move up if a specific target catches their eye.