We’re in the final month before the draft.
The Miami Dolphins and 31 other NFL teams have evaluated prospects off their film, at college postseason all-star games like the Senior Bowl, at the scouting combine and now through pro days at their universities and pre-draft visits at team facilities.
Pro clubs have also gone through the first wave of free agency, and aside from quarterback Malik Willis, the Dolphins haven’t signed any player of the caliber to deter them from drafting at any other position.
Miami still has major needs at edge defender, cornerback, safety and on the offensive line, while wide receiver could easily rise to the forefront of those needs after the trade that sent Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. That move also netted the Dolphins an extra first-round selection, at No. 30.
As a reminder, the draft is April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
To see how the board has changed over time, check out Chris Perkins’ initial mock draft, David Furones’ post-combine mock and Perkins’ post-Waddle trade mock.
Here is the Sun Sentinel’s fourth 2026 mock draft:
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
If there was anything left to solidify, Mendoza did it at his pro day. This one was settled long ago.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, Edge Rusher, Ohio State
With No. 1 a foregone conclusion, the really draft starts here, and the Jets go with the upside of pass rush Reese’s incredible athleticism offers.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Cardinals could use a plug-and-play prospect to fill their hole at right tackle, and adding Mauigoa sets the franchise up with stronger pass protection once they find their QB of the future.
4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
Do they really pass on Cam Ward’s favorite pass rusher in the draft in Rueben Bain? Bailey’s 14 1/2 sacks last season get him selected here.
5. New York Giants: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love can help Giants fans still ailing from letting Saquon Barkley go to Philly, and QB Jaxson Dart will have a reliable ground game after Cam Skattebo got hurt last year.
6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns need playmakers for whoever ends up sticking as the QB, and they keep Tate in the state as the first WR off the board.
7. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
My previous pick for the Dolphins has his stock rise after a strong outing at his pro day, with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
8. New Orleans Saints: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Saints take the second WR, giving QB Tyler Shough a playmaker to pair with Chris Olave and free-agent RB Travis Etienne.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
It hurts the Dolphins that Bain doesn’t make it out of the top 10. The Chiefs get over the short-arm narrative to select a stud.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Another Buckeye stays in Ohio, and Cincy gets possibly the best pure talent in the draft to strengthen the defense.
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy runs a drill during the school’s NFL pro day on March 31 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Just because GM Jon-Eric Sullivan traded Waddle doesn’t mean he has to go wide receiver with the first selection. That’s not a Green Bay way of doing it, either. With so many potential Dolphins targets taken, he may look for a trade down to add another early pick, but after McCoy’s sensational pro day, proving he’s back after missing last season due to a torn ACL in January 2025, Miami does just fine with a lockdown corner.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Dolphins take McCoy before Cowboys can get their hands on him, but great value for a top defender at this spot because teams pass on taking a linebacker.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Some are saying another receiver for QB Matthew Stafford here, but I see it as a great scenario for the Rams to have Freeling fall to them.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Perfect for the Ravens to give Lamar Jackson another target at 6-2 who can complement the smaller, speedy Zay Flowers opposite him.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
The Bucs need an infusion of youth on the edge, and his total package of rushing the passer and stopping the run fit the bill.
16. New York Jets (via Colts): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
It seems like the Jets pass on QB Ty Simpson as they position themselves for the 2027 QB draft, and go with the next WR after the top three.
17. Detroit Lions: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Detroit can put Mesidor on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson and let him put his hand in the ground, like he did with the Hurricanes.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
DC Brian Flores once took an Oregon safety as coach of the Dolphins, and as a Harrison Smith replacement, Thieneman’s versatility can complement that of Josh Metellus.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Should Miami draft a QB in early rounds? | VIDEO
19. Carolina Panthers: Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah
The Panthers have gone first-round WR each of the past two seasons, snagged Jaelan Phillips for the edge in free agency and now beef up the offensive line around Rob Hunt.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers): Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
The pick from the Micah Parsons trade is used to add an edge rusher for two solid defensive picks in Dallas.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Steelers don’t seem too interested in QB Ty Simpson and make a smart move to solidify the O-line for a run at it in 2026 with Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Mike McDaniel would’ve loved for this pick to go to the offense, but Cole Strange is a solution for him at guard and L.A. gets the monster D-tackle.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq is still there while the Eagles are involved in A.J. Brown trade talks? Philly can supplement some of that production at TE.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
The Browns went WR earlier, so now they need a pass-protector.
25. Chicago Bears: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
A strong fit for a 4-3 DE who can play the run doesn’t fall to the Dolphins at 30 as Chicago could use an edge rusher.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Who will Miami draft in first round? | VIDEO
26. Buffalo Bills: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The first draft pick with Joe Brady as coach goes to giving QB Josh Allen a home run threat.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lomu fits the athleticism for the zone blocking the 49ers run under Kyle Shanahan and could present the future at left tackle after Trent Williams.
28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Houston addressed the O-line in free agency, and if there’s one thing this almost-perfect defense needs for DeMeco Ryans, it’s a D-tackle.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The top pick the Chiefs get from dealing CB Trent McDuffie has them supplement the position late in the first round.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Broncos): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
A smooth 6-4 wideout with the pick acquired in the Waddle trade? Sign me up. Sullivan addresses CB and WR on Day 1 and can take advantage of the remaining depth in this draft to address edge rusher, the offensive line and safety.
31. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade with Patriots): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
It turns out the Cards want Simpson, and they trade up from No. 34 overall to get ahead of the Jets, who have the top pick in the second round. They can’t do business with the NFC West-rival Seahawks at 32, but the Patriots are happy to comply and move back.
32. Seattle Seahawks: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
The St. Thomas Aquinas High product sneaks into the first round as a luxury pick for an already-great Super Bowl-winning Seattle defense.
Washington receiver Denzel Boston runs drills during Washington’s pro day on March 16 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)