Dolphins Eye Pass Rush Boost in Draft Visits

Miami scouts meet with top defensive end prospects ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the explosive motion of a football player rushing the quarterback, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action of the play.Miami's search for a dominant pass rusher could lead them to select one of these talented defensive ends in the upcoming NFL Draft.Today in Miami

The Miami Dolphins have brought in a pair of highly-touted pass rushers, R Mason Thomas and Rene Konga, for pre-draft visits as they look to bolster their defensive line through the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

The Dolphins struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks last season, so adding an impact edge rusher could be a priority in the draft. Both Thomas and Konga are projected to be high-round selections, so their visits indicate Miami's interest in upgrading their pass rush.

The details

Thomas, a 6'5" defensive end from the University of Florida, recorded 12.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in his final collegiate season. Konga, a 6'3" defensive end from the University of Oregon, tallied 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2025.

  • The Dolphins hosted Thomas and Konga for pre-draft visits this week.

The players

R Mason Thomas

A 6'5" defensive end from the University of Florida who had 12.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in his final college season.

Rene Konga

A 6'3" defensive end from the University of Oregon who recorded 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“These guys have the kind of pass rush ability that could really help transform our defense. We're excited to get to know them better during these visits.”

— Chris Grier, Dolphins General Manager

What’s next

The Dolphins will continue their pre-draft evaluation process, including further meetings and workouts with Thomas, Konga, and other top defensive line prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

Miami's interest in Thomas and Konga signals their intent to find an impact pass rusher to pair with their existing defensive line. Upgrading the team's ability to pressure the quarterback could be a key focus in the upcoming draft.