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The Miami Dolphins are in a rebuild after cutting ties with Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa, while also trading Jaylen Waddle. As a result, it appears the Dolphins are willing to listen to any player as they stock up on draft picks to help their rebuild.
Nonetheless, not every player is on the market as the team navigates which pieces they want to build around and which others can be traded to bring in draft picks.
On March 18, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, the latest regarding the future of De’Von Achane.
“Teams that have called the Miami Dolphins to inquire about trading for Pro-Bowl RB De’Von Achane have been told that he is not available,” Schefter wrote on X.
Achane rushed 238 times for 1,350 yards and scored 12 touchdowns over 16 games in 2025, earning his first Pro Bowl selection, per StatMuse. Moreover, Miami needs weapons for new QB Malik Willis, and it wouldn’t be ideal to ship out the 24-year-old this offseason.
Who Should the Dolphins Target at No. 11?
Moreover, the Dolphins need more weapons for Willis and will have the draft picks to replenish the wide receiver group. After trading Waddle and a fourth-round pick (111th overall), the Dolphins received a first-round pick (30th) as well as third- and fourth-round picks (94th and 130th), per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
With two first-round picks, could Miami decide to take a wide receiver with the No. 11 pick to give Willis a target that could help him out this upcoming 2026 season? For ESPN’s Matt Miller, former USC Trojans star Makai Lemon makes sense.
“I’m a huge fan of Makai Lemon from USC,” Miller said during a March 17 appearance on the “Rich Eisen Show.” “I think he would be a fit at eleven if he’s still on the board. He is actually my number one receiver in this draft. Now, he’s a little bit smaller than Carnell Tate, but his middle-of-the-field toughness is exceptional. He’s a great route runner, a YAC player. He could play in the slot. He could play outside.”
Makai Lemon Would Fit in Miami’s Offense
Moreover, Miller delved deeper into why Lemon would fit the Dolphins’ philosophy. Miller notes that selecting the wideout would steer away from the old-school way of thinking that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan might have brought over from the Green Bay Packers.
“He does give you a lot of juice after the catch. He created the most missed tackles of any receiver in this year’s draft with 21. So, he has that ability to make you miss, but then there’s that toughness in his game where he will try to run over you, try to run through you, and get to the end zone if he has that opportunity.
“If they go away from that old-school Ron Wolf strategy and want to draft a receiver at 11, I think he’s a tremendous fit with what they now have in Malik Willis and really an offense that’s going to be built around the run game. You’re going to be able to win with play action with a route runner like Makai Lemon.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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