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The Miami Dolphins are in no man’s land. The book about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is out and the coach responsible for his development is now calling plays in Los Angeles.
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Mike McDaniel was replaced by Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. In doing so, Miami is all but acknowledging that any action is better than no action. The Dolphins could have evened the game under McDaniel, who was coaching enough to keep his job. They could have gotten healthier, hoped for Tua Tagovailoa’s rebound, and hoped to advance to the playoffs in a quarterback-heavy AFC.
Few would blame them. Even fewer people believe them.
Hafley is changing the guard, and while Tagovailoa is still atop the depth chart, it’s clear that the parts around him — likely including the quarterback room — are going to look different. Injured receiver Tyreek Hill was released Monday. Respected edge rusher Bradley Chubb joined him in free agency. Therefore, Miami needs to find a quality replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dolphins 7-round mock draft
First round, No. 11 pick: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Many of the most consistent teams can trace their success to a gamble. Drafting a corner who didn’t play in his platform season would qualify as such, but McCoy did everything necessary in 2024 to eliminate concerns about his torn ACL.
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McCoy is a well-rounded athlete who ticks the boxes on the measurables and has the experience to win in a variety of coverages. He may be the best pure corner in the class, but also has the foot speed and processing ability to be effective in a zone defense. With a solid hitting record and a season of high-level play in the SEC, he could be the first corner to go off the field in April despite injury.
Round 2, No. 43 pick: Max Iheanacho, OT, Arizona State
Every year of the McDaniel administration seemed to emphasize the need for more trenches. Right tackle Austin Jackson has battled injuries and inconsistency at right tackle, opening the door for another top-60 pick on the offensive line.
Iheanacho can’t make up for missing out on Jonah Savaianaia last year. But his platform season was buoyed by a strong Senior Bowl, and the utility pass protector stood up to Sunday-caliber edge rushers in 2025. Iheanacho can start from the jump, providing extra stability to anyone under center. If Tagovailoa’s game begins in 2026, protecting the lefty’s blindside becomes even more important.
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Round 3, Pick 75: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, IL
Hukas has seen his stock fluctuate throughout the draft cycle, but he could play a role in serious production at one of the highest levels in college football. He’s coming into the league with an 11-sack, 13.5 TFL season, his second straight season with at least eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
Additionally, Jacas’s 260-pound frame is strong enough to stay on the field for every takedown, helping to replace Chubb’s monster share of snaps.
The Dolphins struggled to generate pressure in 2025, desperately needed a blitz and set up a short-handed secondary behind the eight ball. Jacas could inject energy and stability into the team after a down year from Chubb.
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Round 3, pick 87: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Claire started the year with a TE1 conversation. Oregon star Kenyon Sadiq quickly ended those talks, but Clare took the transfer from Nebraska to Ohio State in stride.
While Clare’s production was down (448 yards, two touchdowns), he became a reliable target in the middle of the field and did his best in zone coverage. Combined with legitimate improvement as a running back, Clare’s 2025 campaign helps him become an adequate starter, even if his upside falls behind the elite athletes taking over the position.
Round 3, pick 90: Jalon Kilgore, SAF, South Carolina
Hafley likely knew when he accepted the Dolphins job that he would be judged on his performance in the lineup, not the remnants of McDaniel’s track celebrations. Part of that revamp will focus on defense, which McCoy proposed in this hypothetical. The addition of Kilgore, a veteran safety in the slot, could allow Hafley’s creativity to flourish.
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Kilgore may not be athletic enough to be a true corner or midfielder; he also may not be big enough to stay in the box full-time. But with strong coverage, a willingness to run, and good mobility, Kilgore can serve as a secondary contributor in NFL defenses.
Round 4, Pick 111: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
While it would be tempting to replace Hill with a similar speedster (hello, Bren Thompson), the unit lacks size. Jaylen Waddle is the star, and Cedrick Wilson and Malik Washington both play roles behind the scenes.
Lance is a frontcourt specialist who intimidates defenses with his speed, making him a multi-layered threat. He shows good instincts with the ball in his hands, adding a unique element to his 6-foot-3 frame. If Lance can use his physical attributes by adding stability at the catch point, he will complete a receiving corps that is in dire need of an above-the-rim playmaker.
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Round 5, Pick 149: Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
Height is one of the most interesting players in this class. Ironically, the much-hyped first-round pick has lost weight due to his size. At 234 pounds, he’s simply not good enough to be a borderline starter.
More: Senior Bowl measurements confirm Romero’s biggest height concerns
Fortunately, he doesn’t have to be one. A rotational edge rusher, Haight has enough explosiveness and skill to make big plays. He had 11.5 tackles and 10 sacks and was the second-best rusher on Texas Tech’s ferocious defensive line. If he continues to be in a position to succeed, there’s no reason why his traits can’t win in limited doses at the next level.
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Round 7, Pick 227: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Alar was only a first-round pick this summer and could easily be considered a seventh-round steal. However, given his stagnation as a senior and season-ending injury, Alar is more likely to be reasonably priced as a Day 3 pick.
Alar was always a project, but his movement tool support will make him far less powerful than we once expected. Still, his arm talent is worth draft capital, and he puts together short bursts of high-level play to keep those of us football viewers interested.
Alar is a low-risk option who could provide a path out of quarterback purgatory if things go his way. Just don’t get your hopes up.
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