MIAMI GARDENS — The first foundational rookie piece for the Miami Dolphins’ rebuild under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was chosen Thursday night.
And it was a shocker after a trade down from their original pick at No. 11.
The Dolphins selected Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with the No. 12 pick of the NFL draft’s first round Thursday night minutes following a deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
Miami selected Proctor after passing on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, whom the Cowboys chose at 11, and then steered clear of Miami Hurricanes edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. with that 12th pick.
In the trade with the Cowboys, the Dolphins picked up a pair of compensatory fifth-round picks, No. 177 and 180.
Proctor is a mammoth blocker at 6 feet 6 ⅝ and 352 pounds. His 39 career starts over the past three seasons with the Crimson Tide all came at left tackle.
The Dolphins don’t need a left tackle, as they have one of their potential franchise cornerstones there in Patrick Paul, but at Proctor’s size and with the power in his game, he is believed to be capable of starting off at guard.
The pick holds true to the belief the Dolphins want to build from the inside out. Proctor can move defenders in the run game for speedy tailback De’Von Achane, who is expected to receive a contract extension later this offseason, and can help protect new quarterback Malik Willis.
The selection also shows a belief Miami’s offensive staff thinks Proctor is athletic enough to block in the outside-zone scheme.
Drafting Proctor also gives Miami the option to kick him out to right tackle in the future if the team moves off from Austin Jackson.
Aside from Paul and Jackson, the Dolphins have a key building block on the offensive line in center Aaron Brewer.
Guard is a big question mark for the team, as the team hopes for development from Jonah Savaiinaea, the previous regime’s second-round pick who was traded up for in last year’s draft.
The Dolphins signed former Chargers lineman Jamaree Salyer, who can play guard and tackle, and swing tackle Charlie Heck among their free-agent additions.
The Dolphins next have the No. 30 pick toward the end of the first round. On Friday, they select at No. 43 in the second round and then have four third-round choices before having four more selections on Day 3 of the draft Saturday, between Rounds 4-7.