The Dolphins have a number of ways they could go in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but one notable pundit has them rolling the dice on a controversial talent.


Jermod McCoy during Tennessee Football Pro Day 2026, at University of Tennessee on March 31, 2026.
Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is finally here, set to get underway on Thursday night in Pittsburgh, and it will be a franchise-altering night for the Miami Dolphins. With two picks in the first round, Miami has the chance to land two cornerstone pieces for what Dolphins fans hope is finally the foundation of a Super Bowl-contending team for years to come.

ESPN NFL insider Peter Schrager sees Miami landing one potential difference maker on each side of the ball in his final mock draft that he released on Wednesday. While the higher pick is usually the notable one, it’s what Schrager has the Dolphins doing at No. 30 that is a real eye opener.

Peter Schrager has Dolphins picking Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy at No. 30 overall

“The concerns around McCoy’s knee are real, so I think he does go a little later than previously thought,” Schrager wrote. “But … I don’t think he falls out of the first round. The Dolphins have 11 picks in this draft, and considering the state of their cornerback room, this is a swing worth taking. When healthy, McCoy can be a difference-maker.”

McCoy has been one of the most debated players from the pre-draft process. Healthy, he’s arguably the best cornerback in the class, and thus getting him at 30 feels like a real discount in that regard.

But how serious are the questions that have popped up about that knee? According NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the concern is about a bone plug used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee, not the ACL itself.

“Let’s talk about what this is and what it is not,” Pelissero said. “It’s not the ACL that he had reconstructed. My understanding is the ACL itself is fine. All the scans look good.

“The concern is about a bone plug that was used to repair a cartilage defect in his knee. Some of the doctors that have seen his scans are concerned that he will need another surgery to replace that bone plug, which would be an extensive recovery.”

Of course, it’s a question of when regarding something that like that rearing its ugly head in the future. If it’s well beyond a first contract period, then perhaps you’re ok with that if you’re Miami.

But only the medical staff can answer those questions. As far as talent it’s undeniable, and McCoy proved he’s got good movement and burst with his Pro Day showing last month.

Schrager also has Dolphins selecting Miami OL Francis Mauigoa at No. 11 overall

Schrager also has the Dolphins tabbing Miami Hurricanes OT Francis Mauigoa with the No. 11 overall pick, which, given the years-long need to improve the unit, is a very sensible pick.

“ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Mauigoa has a herniated disk in his back, and teams will have to be comfortable with that,” Schrager wrote. “I still think he’s a high pick. Mauigoa is an immediate starter, and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan needs to find a bunch of those. There are a lot of directions Miami could go at No. 11. Right tackle Austin Jackson missed significant time last season, and there are questions on the interior. I could absolutely see this new Dolphins regime shoring up the offensive line and building out from there.”

Mauigoa would be a very logical pick for the Dolphins, and adding an offensive lineman who could start off at guard and move to right tackle, where he excelled in college, could be a great for a Dolphins team with questions at guard and at right tackle beyond 2026, when Jackson is a free agent.

In any event, we’ll find out in one short day which way general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will go in his crucial first draft for the franchise.

NFL


Sportsbook weighs in on who is the most likely pick for the Miami Dolphins at No. 11

There are a number of ways the Dolphins could go if they stay at pick No. 11 in the upcoming NFL Draft, but the highest odds are in favor of one of the top players from the SEC.