Top Dolphins target heads for medical recheck before 2026 NFL Draft

Francis Mauigoa will get additional testing done on back ailment ahead of NFL Draft.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:48pm

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University of Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa will undergo additional medical testing on a back injury at the Combine Rechecks this Friday. The 20-year-old dealt with a disc issue at the end of his collegiate career, but it is not expected to require immediate surgery. This news could potentially impact Mauigoa's draft stock, as he was projected to be selected before the Miami Dolphins' first pick at #11 overall.

Why it matters

The Dolphins have been widely reported to have Mauigoa as one of their top targets in the 2026 NFL Draft. If teams picking in the top-10 are scared off by the news of Mauigoa's back injury, it could cause him to slide down the draft board, potentially allowing Miami to select the blue-chip prospect without needing to trade up.

The details

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Mauigoa will be at the Combine Rechecks this Friday to undergo additional testing on the disc issue in his back that caused him discomfort at the end of his college career at Miami. While the injury is not expected to require immediate surgery, the news could still impact his draft stock as teams evaluate the long-term prognosis.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin on April 23rd.
  • Mauigoa will undergo the additional medical testing at the Combine Rechecks this Friday, April 11th.

The players

Francis Mauigoa

A 20-year-old offensive lineman from the University of Miami who is considered a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Miami Dolphins

The NFL team that is widely reported to have Mauigoa as one of their top targets in the upcoming draft, with the 11th overall pick.

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What’s next

The Dolphins will be closely monitoring the results of Mauigoa's medical recheck this Friday to assess whether the back injury could impact his draft position and potentially allow them to select him with the 11th overall pick.

The takeaway

This news about Mauigoa's back injury adds an interesting wrinkle to the Dolphins' draft plans, as they will be hoping the issue causes him to slide down the board and into their range at #11 overall. However, the team will need to balance their desire to land a top prospect with concerns about the long-term health implications of the injury.