Dolphins' Draft History Hints at Defensive Pick

New head coaches in Miami have typically used their first draft pick on a player from the same side of the ball they previously coached.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players and draft prospects, conveying the strategic decisions and multiple perspectives involved in an NFL team's draft planning.The Dolphins' draft history suggests their next top pick could be a defensive player to fit their new coach's vision.Today in Miami

The Miami Dolphins have a history of new head coaches using their first draft pick on a player from the same side of the ball they previously coached. With Jeff Hafley coming from the Green Bay Packers' defense, this trend suggests the Dolphins could target a defensive player with their 11th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

This pattern provides a potential clue for Dolphins fans and analysts as they try to predict the team's top draft selection. Understanding the team's history with new head coaches could help narrow down the options and give insight into the priorities of the current regime.

The details

In the past nine head coaching changes for the Dolphins, the first draft pick of the new coach's tenure has been a player from the same side of the ball the coach previously coached. This includes defensive tackle Daryl Gardener in 1996 when Jimmy Johnson took over, tackle Jake Long in 2008 when Tony Sparano was hired, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in 2019 after Brian Flores was named head coach.

  • The Dolphins are currently scheduled to have the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
  • Jeff Hafley was hired as the Dolphins' new head coach in January 2026 after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.

The players

Jeff Hafley

The new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.

Caleb Downs

A highly-touted safety prospect who could be available for the Dolphins to select with the 11th overall pick.

Rueben Bain Jr.

An edge defender prospect who could fit the Dolphins' defensive needs with their top selection.

Sonny Styles

A linebacker prospect who could be a target for the Dolphins in the first round.

Mansoor Delane

A cornerback prospect who could help address the Dolphins' needs in the secondary.

Jermod McCoy

Another cornerback prospect who could be an option for the Dolphins with their first-round pick.

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What’s next

The Dolphins will have a better idea of their draft options as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches and they evaluate the available prospects. Fans and analysts will continue to monitor the team's moves and speculate on how they might address their needs, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The takeaway

The Dolphins' history of new head coaches targeting players from the same side of the ball they previously coached provides a potential clue for their 2026 first-round pick. This trend suggests the team could use their 11th overall selection on a defensive player to help implement new head coach Jeff Hafley's vision for the unit.