Grading The Dolphins’ 2026 NFL Draft: Rounds 2-7

A linebacker on the smaller side from the Texas Tech Red Raiders? We’ve seen this one before. C’mon. Survey says–

Grade: A+

Jokes aside, Rodriguez isn’t exactly as small as, say, Zach Thomas. The 6’1, 231-pound linebacker one hell of a pedigree to the Dolphins.

Let’s just take a quick glance, shall we?

Rodriguez earned first-team Big-12, Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award. He finished fifth in the Heisman voting in 2025? A linebacker did?

Dude c’mon. If y’ain’t excited about Rodriguez, you might be a dead man.

Rodriguez brings tenacity, leadership, and killer instincts. As mentioned, his size often determines how involved he is in a play. If Rodriguez bulks up and, say, goes to the Zach Thomas School of Hard Knocks, I think he can be a plus-starter for the Dolphins under new Head Coach Jeff Hafley.

Picks #75 & 87: Caleb Douglas and Will Kacmarek

Look, replacing Tyreek Hill’s not going to be hard to do. Hear me out for a second.

Hill was starting to become a cancer in the locker room. It didn’t help that Tua Tagovailoa regressed, ultimately leading to Hill’s decline in production. The last thing Miami needs is another small, speedy wideout who doubles as a diva on his days off.

Douglas fits the bill. At 6’3, 206 pounds, the receiver from Texas Tech possesses the agility and size to body his way through defenders. His production at Texas Tech speaks for itself; he led the team in receiving in 2025 and had a generally productive career in the Lonestar State.

My main concern is that Douglas has had his fair share of injuries–which to be fair, wideouts tend to get banged up the most. He missed a “significant” chunk of time due to a gruesome fibula injury while at Florida in 2023 and a hyperextended knee/bone bruise combo in 2025.

Hopefully, Douglas can provide an offensive spark to an offense led by newly-acquired quarterback Malik Willis.

Kacmarek, on the other hand, should bolster a tight-end group that’s about to lose Darren Waller to either trade or free agency. Pairing Kacmarek alongside Greg Dulcich could be integral in the Dolphins’ run attack; Kacmarek is primarily a blocking tight end that can open lanes on the outside.

The tight end from the Ohio State Buckeyes could be a safety valve for Willis, but I think he’ll primarily be used in run-blocking formations and pass protection. Not bad, not good, but certainly not the worst pick the Dolphins could’ve made.

Grade: B

Picks #94, 130, & 138: Chris Bell, Trey Moore, Kyle Louis

I’m not a fan of Miami picking two linebackers in Round Four with Moore and Louis, especially with Hafley’s reliance on a 4-3 Base scheme. You’ve already got All-Pro Jordyn Brooks, Rodriguez, and Tyrel Dodson. Had the Dolphins invested more in its interior line, I’d say they’d be in a better position.

Alas, this ain’t Madden and I can’t just edit player ratings at will.

Miami took another playmaking wide receiver in Chris Bell. Like Douglas, Bell’s had his injury history, although he suffered a devastating injury most recently in 2025 with a torn ACL. It just so happened to coincide with Bell’s best collegiate season. He amassed 917 yards despite missing the last two-and-a-half games.

You always hope a player bounces back without a reduction in production (bars?), but with knee injuries? You never can tell. There’ve been reports that Bell’s already running “18 miles per hour” four months after surgery, so it appears his rehab is going well.

Grade: B-

Picks #158, 177, 180, 200 & 238–Sleeper Alert?

Underdog stories always capture the imagination and heartstrings. For Michael Taaffe, that’s no different.

Taaffe’s a safety who, after declining a scholarship from Rice, walked on at Texas and immediately became a presence in the Longhorns’ secondary. Taaffe became a Third-Team AP All-American and First-Team All-SEC? Yes, he did.

For a walk on, that ain’t half bad. Taaffe’s also a big community guy; if he’s not on the field, he’s in the trenches being a paragon to the outside world. Miami’s first selection in the fifth round could be a positive locker room presence and, perhaps, has the caliber to be an impact player.

The Dolphins collected offensive pieces with their next three picks: WR Kevin Coleman Jr., TE Seydou Traore, and G DJ Campbell.

I’m especially keeping tabs on Coleman and Campbell. Coleman’s a return threat at Jackson State and Louisville before emerging as a receiving threat at Missouri. He led the team in receiving–but the most important factor? Coleman’s yet to miss a game due to injury.

Campbell’s a three-year starter at the guard position. If that’s not impressive enough for you, what if I told you Campbell’s the 7th most athletic guard in the draft? He boasts a 5.01 40 time, 27” vertical and an 8’8 long jump. This dude’s a beast. I doubt he’ll get any serious playing time to start, but if Jonah Savaiinaea doesn’t pan out, I could see Campbell being a plug-n-play option.

Grade: B-

End Of My Miami Dolphins’ Draft Rant

I genuinely think the Dolphins have had one of their best drafts in recent memory.

Which might not be hard to do, but when you think about it? This is the start a rebuild needs.

Miami addressed key issues–offensive line, low-risk, high-reward offensive talent, and defensive talent. Their one aberration was drafting two linebackers in the fourth round; what does that say about Brooks and Dodson? That’s my only question moving forward.

Well done, Jon-Eric Sullivan. This year might not be a sign of things to come (I sure as hell hope it is), but it’s a good start. Let’s see how the dice rolls.