The 2026 NFL Draft got underway Thursday night in Pittsburgh, and the Miami Dolphins wasted little time reshaping their roster for the future. Armed with two first-round selections, Miami targeted both sides of the ball, adding size and physicality in the trenches with Kadyn Proctor and speed and upside in the secondary with Chris Johnson.
With Rounds 2 and 3 scheduled for Friday night and the draft concluding Saturday afternoon with Rounds 4–7, the Dolphins already appear to have addressed two of their most pressing needs as they continue building under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley.
Dolphins add power up front with Kadyn Proctor at No. 12
At No. 12 overall, Miami selected Proctor, the massive offensive tackle from Alabama Crimson Tide football, instantly boosting the physical identity the team hopes to establish in the running game.
Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 352 pounds, Proctor brings rare size and strength to the offensive line. His arrival gives Miami two towering bookends alongside second-year tackle Patrick Paul and signals a commitment to controlling the line of scrimmage.
The Dolphins’ offensive philosophy is clearly shifting toward a more balanced, physical approach, and Proctor’s mauling run-blocking ability fits that vision perfectly. While he played left tackle in college, that position is already occupied in Miami, making right guard a likely early landing spot.
There is also flexibility in his long-term outlook. Veteran tackle Austin Jackson has been productive when healthy but has struggled with durability and is entering the final year of his contract. That creates a potential pathway for Proctor to transition outside to right tackle in the near future.
In the short term, however, his versatility could allow him to compete immediately for snaps at multiple positions — a valuable asset for a line still searching for consistency.
Dolphins secure potential CB1 with Chris Johnson at No. 27
Later in the first round, Miami turned its attention to the secondary, selecting Johnson with the 27th overall pick out of San Diego State Aztecs football.
Cornerback was one of the Dolphins’ most glaring roster needs entering the draft, and Johnson arrives with the tools to compete for a starting role right away. At 6-foot and 193 pounds with a blazing 4.4-second 40-yard dash, he combines ideal size and speed for the modern NFL cornerback position.
Johnson also impressed evaluators with elite testing numbers at the combine and polished footwork that complements his athletic traits. His ability to match up with top receivers could make him a key piece of Miami’s defensive rebuild from Day 1.
Just as important, Johnson lands in a system led by Hafley — a coach known for developing defensive backs. That pairing could accelerate his transition to the professional level and give Miami a legitimate candidate for its next shutdown corner.
One question surrounding Johnson’s projection involves his level of college competition. Like many prospects from outside the Power Five conferences, he faced fewer NFL-caliber receivers week to week.
However, recent success stories such as Sauce Gardner and Quinyon Mitchell show that elite cornerbacks from Group of 5 programs can make seamless transitions to the next level. Miami is betting Johnson will follow a similar path.
If he does, the Dolphins may have found their long-term answer at cornerback — and one of the steals of the first round.
Strong start to Miami’s draft weekend. With Proctor reinforcing the offensive line and Johnson addressing a critical need in the secondary, the Dolphins opened the 2026 draft with two selections that align clearly with their evolving identity.
As the draft continues Friday night with Rounds 2 and 3, Miami still has opportunities to add depth and playmakers. But after Thursday’s results, the foundation of a stronger, more physical roster is already taking shape.
