The Miami Dolphins are basically standing at a massive crossroads right now. It is January 13, 2026, and the vibe in South Beach is, well, complicated. After finishing a disappointing 7-10 season, the Mike McDaniel era is officially over, and the franchise just handed the keys to a new General Manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Honestly, the roster looks like a puzzle with several missing pieces and a few others that don't quite fit anymore. Tua Tagovailoa was benched late in the season, and with a monstrous $54 million fully guaranteed for 2026, the cap situation is a nightmare. This isn't just about picking a player; it's about an entire identity shift.
In this Miami Dolphins mock draft breakdown, we aren't just looking at names on a board. We’re looking at how a team $24 million over the cap survives a total overhaul.
The Quarterback Elephant In The Room
Everyone is talking about the quarterback. It’s unavoidable. When you bench your $200 million man for Quinn Ewers in Week 15, you’ve signaled to the world that the "Tua Era" has a looming expiration date.
But here’s the thing: Miami picks at No. 11.
If they want the "blue chip" guys like Indiana's Fernando Mendoza or Oregon's Dante Moore, they’re going to have to trade the farm. PFF has already floated scenarios where Miami trades up to No. 1 with the Giants just to secure Mendoza. That would be a massive swing for a team that has holes at almost every defensive position and needs a new WR1 to eventually replace Tyreek Hill.
Some experts, like AJ Schulte at A to Z Sports, think Ty Simpson from Alabama is the more realistic target at 11. He’s got that 6-foot-2 frame and decent accuracy, but is he a "franchise savior" or just another guy?
Round 1, Pick 11: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
If they don't go QB, they almost have to go receiver. Tyreek Hill is likely a post-June 1 cut because his $54 million non-guaranteed salary is just too high for a 32-year-old coming off a season-ending injury.
Jordyn Tyson is the name popping up everywhere. He’s a vertical threat who put up 1,101 yards for the Sun Devils last year. He’s explosive. He’s twitchy. He fits the Miami "speed" brand perfectly.
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Of course, there’s a risk. Tyson has a knee injury history that will make the NFL Combine medical checks absolutely vital. If his medicals are messy, the Dolphins might pivot to Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. Tate has that 6-foot-3 size that this offense has lacked for years. It’s a classic "size vs. speed" debate for the new front office.
Fixing A Defense That Lost Its Edge
Miami’s defense took some hits recently. Trading Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles at the 2025 deadline was a tough pill for fans to swallow, but it netted them an extra third-round pick (No. 87 overall).
Now, Bradley Chubb is 29 and carrying a $31 million cap hit. Chop Robinson hasn't quite developed into the game-wrecker people hoped for yet. Basically, the pass rush is a mess.
Round 2, Pick 43: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
The secondary is aging fast. Jalen Ramsey is gone, leaving behind a $20 million dead cap hit, and guys like Rasul Douglas are on expiring deals. Chris Johnson is a pure cover corner. He doesn't offer much in run support—sorta like a young Marcus Peters—but in a division with Josh Allen and Drake Maye, you need guys who can actually stick to receivers.
Round 3, Pick 75: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Keeping it local. Mesidor is an "older" prospect at 24, which usually scares off some GMs. But the Dolphins need immediate production, not a three-year project. He’s been dominant for the Hurricanes and would give them a rotational piece to help spell Chubb or Robinson.
Round 3, Pick 87 (via PHI): Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
You can't talk about a Dolphins draft without mentioning the offensive line. Terron Armstead is likely retiring or being released to save cap space. Patrick Paul is the future at LT, but the right side is a question mark. Goosby is a developmental tackle with massive upside. He needs a year in an NFL weight room, but the frame is undeniable.
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The Reality Of The 2026 Salary Cap
Let's be real for a second. This draft is as much about the "Cap" as it is about the "Caliper."
Miami is currently projected to be $20.5 million in the red, according to Over The Cap. Cutting Tua as a post-June 1 designation is the only way to survive, even though it results in a record-breaking $67 million in dead money.
- Tua Tagovailoa: $54M guaranteed (Likely Cut)
- Tyreek Hill: $54M (Likely Cut)
- Bradley Chubb: $31M (Potential Trade/Cut)
The 2026 draft class has to be the foundation for 2027. Sullivan and his team are essentially punting on a "win-now" strategy to ensure they have the $83 million in projected cap space available for 2027.
It’s a "rip the Band-Aid off" kind of year.
What To Watch Next
The next few months are going to be wild. If you're following the Fins, keep your eyes on the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Specifically, watch the medical reports on Jordyn Tyson and the passing drills for Ty Simpson and Dante Moore.
If Miami decides to stick with Quinn Ewers for 2026 and build the roster around him, they could potentially trade back from No. 11 to recoup the second-round pick they lost in previous trades.
Your best move right now? Watch the Senior Bowl. Sullivan is a "traits" guy from the Green Bay school of scouting. He wants big, fast, and durable. The days of drafting "undersized speed" might be ending in Miami, and a new, more physical era is likely on the horizon.