The Miami Dolphins selected Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson with their two first-round picks in the NFL draft on April 23. They traded down one spot before selecting Proctor and traded up three spots to grab Johnson.
Draft reaction is always dubious in the hours after the selections so it's usually best to take anything said or written with a grain of NFL smelling salts. But it does make for interesting conversation.
Anyway, in the interest of public discourse, here is what they are saying about Miami's first two picks (with more to come the next two days):
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesOct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) rushes the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn ImagesDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesNov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) catches a short pass and runs the ball during the game with Eastern Illinois at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn ImagesApr 22, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Parker Brailsford blocks against fellow lineman Kadyn Proctor during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) at the vertical jump station during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images3 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images4 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickOct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) rushes the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images5 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickDec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images6 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickNov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) catches a short pass and runs the ball during the game with Eastern Illinois at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images7 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickApr 22, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images8 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Parker Brailsford blocks against fellow lineman Kadyn Proctor during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.9 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.10 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMarch 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.11 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickFeb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images12 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) at the vertical jump station during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images13 / 13Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pickMar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesBryan DeArdo, CBS Sports"Proctor isn't a terrible pick, but it's safe to say that Caleb Downs could have been the splashier move after the former Ohio State safety fell out of the top 10. Instead, the Dolphins essentially gave Downs to Dallas when they swapped picks with the Cowboys. If Downs ends up being a stud for the Cowboys, rest assured that Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan won't hear the end of it. Regarding Proctor, concerns about his weight at the college level lingered throughout the NFL Draft process."
"Proctor looks like a top-tier offensive line starter, standing at nearly 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds. He's massive. But he's not the most consistently athletic option out wide, and, while a star in rush block, he's struggled in pass protection. Whether at right tackle or a move to guard, Proctor will play a key role immediately with the Dolphins."
"While Kadyn Proctor was widely viewed as a lock to go round 1 for most of the pre-draft process, that doesn’t mean his projection comes without concerns. On paper and on film, you see a massive human being at over 6-7 and 350 pounds, who somehow can do a wave drill like a wide receiver. You see a player who can just maul people at the point of attack and is downright scary in the open field. What’s also scary is that Proctor ballooned up to close to 400 pounds during his time at the Capstone. Alabama had to religiously watch his weight, and even at a svelte 350-360 pounds, you can see some of the issues he has in pass protection."
"There's no denying Proctor's on-field presence. At 6-foot-7, 352 pounds, he's nearly impossible to miss. Consistency will be key for the Bama product, who was viewed as a potential top-five pick entering the 2025 college football season. Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was still on the board, and many fans wanted to keep him in South Florida -- but Proctor's upside was too enticing for the Dolphins as they look to rebuild from the inside out."
"The Dolphins couldn't leave this weekend without a starting cornerback and got one in Johnson. He's a plus athlete with the technique and ball skills to match, and he should thrive under coach Jeff Hafley. Miami still needs to add talent to its cornerbacks room, but it's off to a good start with Johnson and still has 11 picks to play with in the remaining six rounds."
"The Dolphins signed what might be their franchise quarterback in Malik Willis in free agency, and now they have more protection for him in the form of Kadyn Proctor. He was a polarizing prospect in the pre-draft process because of his size - a major asset that could also limit him if he isn't able to play at a manageable weight. If Miami gets the best version of him, he can stick at left tackle and become a building block of this rebuild. On defense, Chris Johnson could be a lockdown corner for years to come. Both first-rounders have the opportunity to shape this franchise's future."
"Chris Johnson is 6 foot, 193 pounds, (ran a) 4.43 at the combine with 31-inch arms, has the length you look for watch him track the ball, doesn’t get handsy, grabby, intercepts the football,” Kiper said. “What I like when you come into the NFL some of these college kids are heavily penalized because they cannot locate the ball and they panic at the end of the route, he doesn’t, Very good footwork, a very willing participant in run support. Very sound tackler, and the way he makes plays on the ball consistently.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson and analysis of Dolphins NFL draft picks