The Miami Dolphins entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mandate: protect the franchise quarterback, fortify the defense, and find difference-makers who can contribute immediately. After a roller-coaster first round Thursday night in which general manager Chris Grier navigated two selections at Nos. 12 and 27 overall, the Dolphins left with a tackle and a cornerback who each bring premium traits to positions of need.
Let's break down each pick, hand out some instant grades, and look ahead to what Miami can accomplish on Day 2--which is already underway as of Friday afternoon.
Pick No. 12 (Overall): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
The Selection: When the Dolphins stayed put at No. 12 after months of trade speculation, the pick was never going to be sexy. But it might be the most important selection of Grier's tenure. With Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, Miami gets a massive (6-foot-7, 330 pounds), powerful blindside protector with a nasty streak and the kind of raw power that can reset the line of scrimmage in the run game.
He's not the nimblest athlete in space--he'll struggle against elite speed rushers on the edge if asked to kick out too wide--but his length, grip strength, and anchor are NFL-ready. For a Dolphins offense built on quick passing, tempo, and play-action, Proctor's ability to lock onto defenders and wall them off is a schematic match.
The more interesting question is where he plays. Miami already has a left tackle in veteran Terron Armstead, who is still playing at a Pro Bowl level when healthy. But Armstead has missed multiple games in each of the last three seasons due to injury, and at 31 years old, the Dolphins are wise to plan for the future. Proctor could start at right tackle as a rookie--he has experience there from his lone season at Iowa in 2023--and shift to the left side when Armstead's time is up. Either way, Miami just added a cornerstone offensive lineman who should start from Week 1.
The Grade: B+. This is a safe, solid pick that addresses a critical need. Proctor isn't the highest-ceiling tackle in the class--that would be the LSU or Notre Dame prospects who went in the top eight--but he's the most pro-ready blocker left on the board. If he locks down right tackle for a decade, this is a home run. If he's merely average, it's still a functional starter at a premium position. In a draft where the Dolphins couldn't afford to miss, Grier took the high-floor player who fills a glaring hole.
Pick No. 27 (Overall): Chris Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Selection: After trading down from No. 19 in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders that netted Miami an extra third-round pick (No. 75 overall), the Dolphins moved back eight spots and still landed their top-rated cornerback on the board. Chris Johnson out of Michigan is a long, physical press-man corner who started for two years in the Wolverines' elite secondary. At 6-foot-1 with 32-inch arms and verified 4.4 speed, Johnson checks every physical box for a boundary corner in today's NFL.
The Fit: This is where the Dolphins' draft philosophy gets interesting. Miami's defense under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver asks its corners to play aggressive, trail technique in press coverage and to be physical at the catch point. Johnson does both. In 2025, he held opposing quarterbacks to a 48.3 passer rating when targeted, tied for third-best among Power Four corners. He broke up 11 passes and intercepted three--production that jumps off the page.
The Dolphins already have Jalen Ramsey on one side. Ramsey, even at 31, remains one of the game's elite cover men. But the secondary needs a long-term running mate opposite him. Last season, Miami rotated through a carousel of veterans on one-year deals (including a midseason trade acquisition), and the results were inconsistent. Johnson can step in immediately as the No. 2 cornerback and, if he develops as hoped, eventually take over as the leader of the secondary once Ramsey's contract becomes movable.
Trading down and still landing a player of this caliber is textbook value-based drafting. The Dolphins added an extra pick and still got a first-round talent at a position of need. Grier deserves credit for staying patient.
The Grade: A-. Johnson has the size, speed, and ball skills to be a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback. The only mild concern is his tendency to grab downfield--he drew six pass interference penalties in 2025--which NFL officials will penalize more consistently. But that's coachable. This is a high-upside pick at a premium position with a strong floor.
Overall First-Round Grade: B+
When you walk away from the first round with a starting offensive tackle and a starting cornerback, you've done your job. The Dolphins didn't chase flash--they identified the roster's most glaring weaknesses and addressed them with players who have high floors and legitimate ceilings.
Proctor isn't the most athletic tackle in this class, but he's a mean, powerful blocker who will help the run game and keep quarterback Tua Tagovailoa upright. Johnson is a scheme fit who can play press-man from Day 1. Both picks make the Dolphins tougher, more physical, and more difficult to attack.
The only reason this isn't an A is that Miami didn't land a game-changing pass rusher or a dynamic playmaker. That's fine--you can't fix everything in one night. The depth of this draft class at defensive line and wide receiver means the Dolphins can still find impact players on Day 2.
What's Next? Day 2 Preview
As of Friday afternoon, the Dolphins are on the clock with the No. 43 overall pick in the second round. They also hold selections at Nos. 75 (from the Raiders trade), 98, and 115--meaning Miami has five picks in the top 115. That's a massive war chest for a team that arrived Thursday night with just seven selections.
Needs remaining: Defensive line (interior and edge) is the most obvious hole. Miami's pass rush was inconsistent in 2025 after losing key rotational pieces to free agency. A three-technique defensive tackle who can push the pocket from the inside would instantly elevate the entire defense. The Dolphins could also target a safety, a wide receiver for depth behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, or an interior offensive lineman to compete at guard.
Names to watch: If a run on defensive tackles pushes a falling edge rusher like Georgia's Mykel Williams or Texas A&M's Shemar Turner into the 40s, Miami would have to consider pulling the trigger. At safety, Notre Dame's Adon Shuler is a versatile chess piece who could play in the box or deep. And if a wide receiver like Ohio State's Carnell Tate slides, the Dolphins might not be able to resist adding another weapon for Tagovailoa.
The beauty of Miami's position is that they don't have to reach. With four picks in the next two rounds, Grier can sit back and let the board come to him. If a player the Dolphins have a first-round grade on unexpectedly falls to No. 43, they have the capital to move up. If not, they can stay patient and let the class come to them.
Live coverage: We're tracking every pick as it happens. The Dolphins are currently on the clock at No. 43, and we'll have instant analysis on every selection as Miami builds its 2026 draft class.
The Big Picture
The Dolphins came into this draft needing to get tougher, smarter, and more complete. After one night, they've accomplished that on paper. Proctor adds mass and power to an offensive line that too often got pushed around in short-yardage situations. Johnson adds length and aggression to a secondary that needed a second lockdown corner.
There are no guarantees in the NFL Draft. But for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations and a quarterback on a massive contract, Miami's front office executed a disciplined, strategic first round that addressed needs without reaching. Now comes the fun part: finding impact players on Day 2 who can turn a good draft class into a great one.
Stay tuned--the Dolphins are back on the clock, and the best value in this draft class is still out there.