The Miami Dolphins' front office entered the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mandate: stockpile talent and fill specific needs. They accomplished both mission objectives in decisive fashion, adding seven new players on Saturday to bring their total haul to a staggering 13 selections over the three-day event.
General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and Head Coach Jeff Hafley orchestrated a busy final day that saw the team make six selections in Rounds 4 through 7, plus one trade with the Carolina Panthers to maneuver the board. The result is a deep, versatile class that should provide immediate competition at several positions while building for the long haul.
Here is a complete breakdown of every move the Dolphins made on Day 3.
The Trade: Carolina Comes Calling
Before the picks started rolling in, the Dolphins made their first and only trade of the day. Miami sent picks No. 151 and No. 227 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for picks No. 158 and No. 200. The net effect was moving down slightly in the fifth round (a drop of seven spots) while picking up an additional sixth-round selection. The arithmetic gave Miami an extra asset in the later rounds, allowing them to maximize value in a deep class.
Sullivan and the front office clearly valued flexibility, and the trade set the table for a flurry of activity that kept Dolphins fans refreshing their feeds all afternoon.
Round 4, Pick 130: LB Trey Moore
The Dolphins kicked off their Day 3 proceedings by addressing a critical need in the second level of the defense. With the 130th overall pick, Miami selected linebacker Trey Moore from Texas.
Moore is the kind of explosive, sideline-to-sideline player that defensive coordinators dream about. He possesses the speed to chase down ball carriers in the flat and the physicality to stack and shed blockers between the tackles. His ability to drop into coverage also makes him a potential three-down linebacker at the next level.
The Dolphins have been searching for long-term stability alongside their defensive stalwarts, and Moore brings the athletic profile and football instincts to push for a role immediately. Look for him to contribute heavily on special teams while he develops into a defensive mainstay.
Round 4, Pick 138: LB Kyle Louis
Just eight picks later, the Dolphins doubled down on the linebacker position with the selection of Kyle Louis at No. 138.
If Moore is the speed element, Louis is the thumper. He is a downhill, physical run defender who thrives when attacking the line of scrimmage. His highlight tape is filled with punishing hits and gap-disrupting plays in the backfield. While his coverage skills may need refinement, his value on first and second down is immediate.
The pairing of Moore and Louis within the same round provides a fascinating contrast in styles. The Dolphins' defensive staff now has two distinctly different rookie talents to mold, and it would not be surprising to see both carve out rotational roles by midseason.
Round 5, Pick 158: S Michael Taaffe
With their first pick acquired via the trade with Carolina, Miami turned to the defensive backfield, selecting safety Michael Taaffe from Texas at No. 158.
Taaffe is a versatile safety with the ability to play both deep center field and come down into the box. His instincts and football IQ are his calling cards -- he consistently puts himself in the right position to make plays on the ball. In an NFL that increasingly asks safeties to cover like cornerbacks and hit like linebackers, Taaffe provides a valuable hybrid skill set.
The Dolphins already have a solid starting safety tandem, but depth in the secondary is always a priority. Taaffe projects as a future special teams standout and a reliable backup who can step in when needed.
Round 5, Pick 173: WR Kevin Coleman Jr.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and starting quarterback Quinn Ewers are getting another weapon. With the 173rd pick, the Dolphins added wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.
Coleman is an explosive playmaker who can turn a short pass into a long gain in a blink. He possesses the quickness and agility to create separation off the line of scrimmage and the run-after-catch ability that makes him dangerous with the ball in his hands. The Dolphins' offense already boasts a dynamic receiving corps, but Coleman brings a different flavor -- a true slot threat who can work the middle of the field and create mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
Adding Coleman this late in the draft represents excellent value and suggests the front office is committed to keeping the offensive arsenal stocked with speed and versatility.
Round 5, Pick 180: TE Seydou Traore
The offensive tight end room just got a major injection of athleticism. At pick 180, Miami selected tight end Seydou Traore.
Traore is an intriguing prospect because of his receiving upside. He has the size to box out defensive backs and the speed to stretch the seam. In an offense that loves to utilize multiple tight end sets and create mismatches, Traore offers a legitimate vertical threat at the position.
His blocking may need work, but his pass-catching potential is undeniable. If he can develop his technique in the run game, he has the talent to evolve into a complete tight end.
Round 6, Pick 200: G DJ Campbell
With their second pick acquired via the Panthers trade, the Dolphins addressed the interior of the offensive line by selecting guard DJ Campbell from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Campbell is a mauler in the running game. He plays with a nasty demeanor and finishes blocks through the whistle. At 6-foot-4 and over 330 pounds, he has the size and strength to anchor against NFL defensive tackles. His pass protection is a work in progress, but the raw power and movement skills are there.
The Dolphins have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent years, and adding a power-based guard like Campbell provides competition and depth. He could push for a starting role if his technique catches up to his physical gifts.
Round 7, Pick 238: EDGE Max Llewellyn
The Dolphins closed out their 2026 draft class with a high-upside swing at a premium position. With the 238th overall pick, Miami selected EDGE Max Llewellyn of Iowa.
Llewellyn is a project in the truest sense, but he brings tantalizing physical tools. He has long arms, a quick first step, and the frame to add more functional mass. His college production was inconsistent, but his traits are undeniable. The Dolphins' defensive coaching staff has a strong track record of developing pass rushers, and they will have a blank canvas to work with here.
In the seventh round, teams are looking for potential, and Llewellyn has plenty of it. If he can refine his hand usage and develop a counter move, he could become a valuable rotational edge rusher.
Overall Class Analysis
The Dolphins' 13-player 2026 draft class is the largest in the league this year and reflects a strategy of quantity meeting quality. By trading down and accumulating picks, Sullivan and the front office gave themselves multiple swings at filling roster holes and adding developmental talent.
The emphasis on defense -- particularly at linebacker and in the secondary -- signals a clear intent to build a fast, physical unit on that side of the ball. The additions of Trey Moore, Kyle Louis, and Michael Taaffe give the Dolphins three athletic, instinctive players who should be immediate contributors on special teams while competing for defensive snaps.
On offense, the selections of Kevin Coleman Jr., Seydou Traore, and DJ Campbell provide depth and competition at positions of need. The offensive line gets a powerful interior presence, the tight end room gets a seam threat, and the wide receiver corps gets more speed.
The 2026 draft class may not feature the headliner of a top-10 pick -- Miami surrendered that pick in a previous trade -- but it is a deep, well-constructed group that should produce multiple starters and role players over the next few seasons.
For Dolphins fans, the message is clear: the organization is building for sustained success, and Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft was a major step in that direction.