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Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the Miami Dolphins, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Miami Dolphins 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
The Dolphins' selection of Kadyn Proctor (first round) didn’t raise many eyebrows initially since Miami clearly needed to address the offensive line. After the draft, however, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan stated the team’s intention to move Proctor, a college left tackle, to left guard. Proctor has a high ceiling as both a pass protector and run blocker on the interior offensive line, but how does a rebuilding team justify spending its first selection on an interior lineman? Maybe Proctor moves to tackle eventually, but it would seem to make more sense to start Proctor out at tackle and move him inside if his play doesn’t meet expectations.
Chris Johnson (first round) addresses a clear need at cornerback, and the value was reasonable in the late first round. However, Johnson was a one-year wonder at San Diego State, which is especially concerning at one of the most volatile positions on the field. In 2025, Johnson generated a route-adjusted ball-hawk rate 89% above expected, but it’s tough to trust that production when he was 33% below expected the previous year.
Jacob Rodriguez (second round) may have been the best of Miami’s selections, not just in terms of value but also for the impact he’ll have in setting the tone of the rebuilding process on defense. Rodriguez will have to compete for a starting job initially, but every veteran linebacker on Miami’s roster is on an expiring contract, which will pave the way for him to be Miami’s green dot linebacker by 2027 at the latest.
Caleb Douglas (third round) was a reach to fill a desperate need at wide receiver. Much of Miami’s new coaching staff and front office came from Green Bay, which makes the Douglas selection easier to understand given the Packers' history of drafting tall, fast outside receivers. If Douglas meets the team’s expectations, he can be Miami’s version of Christian Watson. Douglas will be joined on the depth chart by Chris Bell (third round), who has a higher ceiling and more proven production, but a 2025 ACL injury led to him slipping down the draft board. Based on route-adjusted data, Bell created 24% more yards after the catch than expected during his career at Louisville. Kevin Coleman Jr. (fifth round) will also compete for snaps at receiver, but will likely see action almost exclusively in the slot, whereas Douglas and Bell are outside weapons.
Will Kacmarek (third round) is a blocking tight end with just 65 receptions in his college career. This selection likely signals a desire to use more heavy formations in Bobby Slowik’s offense, but drafting a blocking tight end before Day 3 is never a wise use of draft capital. Trey Moore (fourth round) may never be a starter, but his explosive pass-rush ability makes him an excellent fit in subpackages. Moore played a hybrid linebacker/edge role in 2025 at Texas, blitzing on 39% of his snaps against the pass while generating a 24% pressure rate, the nation’s fourth-highest rate among players with at least 100 pass rush snaps. Max Llewellyn (seventh round) was also a productive pass rusher at Iowa, but probably lacks the physicality to play on early downs against the run. Kyle Louis (fourth round) is another hybrid player who lacks ideal size to play in the box against the run as a traditional linebacker but also might not have the explosive athleticism to line up in coverage in the slot as often as he did at Pitt.
Michael Taaffe (fifth round) has elite range as a ball hawk in the deep secondary and will compete for playing time immediately with Lonnie Johnson for the free safety job. Seydou Traore (fifth round) is a developmental tight end prospect who didn’t play traditional football until his senior year of high school in 2020. He will likely be limited to special teams duties initially, but he has exciting traits and could develop into a pass-catching weapon down the road. DJ Campbell (sixth round) is a wide-bodied guard who moves well for his size and will provide depth on the interior offensive line.
This was an up-and-down draft for the Dolphins, who made some wild reaches but landed plenty of high-upside developmental prospects along the way. Miami appears to have added at least seven players with starter potential and a few others who can provide value in specialized roles immediately.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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