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Dolphins are predicted to target Caleb Downs
With the Miami Dolphins lacking premium talent on rookie or cheap contracts, the team needs an infusion of talent this offseason. While the process to replenish Miami’s roster may take more than one offseason, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will have to take it one decision at a time to build a solid team without sacrificing its future.
In the past, the Dolphins under Chris Grier took the fast route to building a playoff-caliber team. After hiring Mike McDaniel prior to the 2022 season, fresh off two seasons over .500 but without a playoff berth, the team made a blockbuster move and traded for wide receiver Tyreek Hill. In that trade, the Dolphins gave up five draft picks. Then Miami got off to a hot start in 2022, and Grier went all in again as he traded the team’s first-round pick for pass rusher Bradley Chubb during the season. After losing in the playoffs, Grier doubled down and traded for Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Now, those three players are either gone or on the way out. As a direct result of giving the previous three massive salaries, the Dolphins lost talented young players like Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, Jaelan Phillips, and Jevon Holland. What seemed to be the beginning of a bright future for the Dolphins has turned into a need for another rebuild.
Miami Dolphins Predicted to Target Caleb Downs
The first step in improving their roster is nailing the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins have the No. 11 pick in the draft, and with needs all over the roster, Pro Football Focus believes they should target safety Caleb Downs. They wrote, “The Dolphins have holes across their roster and should be looking to take the best player available in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs would be a dream scenario for new head coach Jeff Hafley, as the organization would enter the new regime with arguably the best and safest prospect in this year’s class.”
Regarding the decision to target a safety, a position that is not as valued as others, PFF said, “Some teams may pause at the idea of drafting Downs in the top-10 due to positional value, but Downs is far from a traditional safety. He was one of college football’s most versatile players this past season, recording 241 snaps in the box, 240 at deep safety, 146 in the slot and 44 on the edge. He was incredibly productive over his college career, grading out no lower than 85.6 in any of his three years.”
Caleb Downs Prospect Profile
The Dolphins adding someone whom Bleacher Report described as “The single best prospect for the 2026 draft cycle. With his experience in Matt Patricia’s defense, he’s going to hit the ground running for whatever NFL team drafts him,” would surely improve the depth of Miami’s roster.
PFF is not the first to make the connection between Downs and the Dolphins. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had the Dolphins selecting Downs with their first selection in the upcoming NFL Draft in his mock draft. He wrote, “Downs has the versatility to play multiple spots, much like his teammate — in this scenario — Minkah Fitzpatrick. Downs’ football intelligence and leadership are off the charts. Miami has to improve a defense that ranked 24th in scoring and 32nd in opponent completion percentage.”
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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