MIAMI GARDENS — It’s fair to question certain decisions by the Miami Dolphins during the three-day NFL draft, starting at the top. But let’s look at the big picture.
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan passed the initial test of his first draft by making principled, convicted selections.
Sullivan, for the most part, went with the best-player-available approach instead of filling needs. He picked players who have toughness and versatility, traits that he treasures. He showed discipline and commitment.
This should be a productive draft for the Dolphins.
And you’ll recall that I didn’t say anything close to that last year.
Overall, it was a productive for the rapidly-changing AFC East, which is dotted with new and relatively new faces everywhere you look.
The longest-seated coaches, New England’s Mike Vrabel and Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets, are entering their second season with their teams. Miami coach Jeff Hafley and Buffalo coach Joe Brady, a Broward product, are both first-year coaches.
General manager/front office changes have also been the norm recently. They’ve been experienced by New England in 2024 (Eliot Wolf), the New York Jets in 2025 (Darren Mougey), and Miami this year (Sullivan).
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Considering those recent changes, drafts are vitally important to each AFC East team as they try to build or rebuild.
Here’s an early look at how each team fared in this year’s draft:
Sullivan traded back one spot in the first round to No. 12 and took Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, who wasn’t the people’s choice (that was Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who went to Tampa Bay at No. 15). But Proctor, who might play guard as a rookie, should be a good player, and he has potential to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
Proctor’s floor is probably offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James, Miami’s No. 19 selection of the 2014 draft, and his celling would be perhaps offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, Miami’s No. 13 selection of the 2016 draft.
San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson is a strong first-round pick at No. 27, fitting the BPA mold while also filling a need. Nice choice.
Texas Tech inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the second-round pick, is evidence of the promise by Sullivan and Hafley to welcome competition. Rodriguez is game-ready, and Miami already returns starting inside linebackers Jordyn Brooks, the All Pro, and Tyrel Dodson, the veteran.
Third-round wide receiver Caleb Douglas is a bit of a reach but fellow third-rounders Will Kacmarek, the Ohio State blocking tight end, and Chris Bell, the Louisville wide receiver recovering from a November ACL injury, are good selections.