The Miami Dolphins are giving us what might be one of the most obvious 'tanking' jobs the league has seen. It is abundantly clear that this team is simply not trying to win football games this year, but to the team's credit, they are clearly trying to build for the future.
The Dolphins traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, leaving another major hole on the roster, but also getting a ton of NFL Draft capital back in the deal. All of a sudden, Miami has a stocked-up warchest of picks to (hopefully) put this franchise in the right direction.
Let's get into a fresh Dolphins mock draft now that Waddle is headed to Denver.
Miami Dolphins mock draft after monumental Jaylen Waddle trade
11. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon is one of the top receiver prospects in this year's draft, and now that both Waddle and Tyreek Hill are off the team, they simply need some more talent here. Taking Lemon addresses a major position of need but is also an instance of being the best player available on the board.
30. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Miami's secondary has always needed a boost. They stand pat at pick 30, the Broncos' first-round pick, and take Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a big, physical safety from Toledo. Miami has gotten two first-round-caliber players thus far.
43. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Zion Young is a developmental pass-rusher, and with both Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips off the team, the EDGE spot is a major need for the team as well. Miami still has another top-75 pick as well in the 2026 NFL Draft.
75. Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
Back to the secondary now, the Dolphins add a cornerback in Treydan Stukes, simply stocking up on talented prospects. When a team is this much in need of talent, there is a ton of merit in simply drafting the best player available.
87. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
Michael Trigg is not going to offer much of anything as a blocker, but there is obviously a spot for receiving tight ends in this league. The Dolphins current starting tight end is Greg Dulcich, so this team clearly needs to add a viable prospect at this position.
You also simply can't just throw Malik Wills out there with no weapons, so for the present and long-term, this front office has to rebuild on offense.
90. Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
The Dolphins now turn to the defensive line and take Domonique Orange from Iowa State. Miami bolsters the trenches with this pick and are not done on that front.
94. Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Miami adds a tackle to the mix and takes Austin Barber from Florida. The Dolphins don't have the best tackle play in the NFL, in fact, it's far from, so this is a need for the team as of now.
130. Parker Brailsford, OC, Alabama
Keeping with the trenches theme here, the Dolphins now select Parker Brailsford from Alabama. Starting center Aaron Brewer might honestly be a top-5 center in the NFL, but Miami can't just assume that position is going to be in a good spot for the long-term.
151. Harold Perkins Jr, LB, LSU
Harold Perkins Jr was once a highly thought-of linebacker prospect, but that has since disappeared. The Dolphins are able to get him at pick 151 in this mock draft.
227. Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
Miami has to take a quarterback at some point in the NFL Draft, and while they might have their eyes on 2027, where the class is expected to be a lot deeper, they take a late-round flier on Luke Altmyer. Willis surely isn't going to be the long-term option, and if nothing else, maybe Altmyer can end up being a high-end backup.
238. DeShon Singleton, S, Nebraska
The Dolphins finish off this resource-rich mock draft with more safety help, taking DeShon Singleton from Nebraska.