The Miami Dolphins
' 2026 NFL Draft
is going to be explosive.
Miami is stocked full of resources and the team has brand new management running the show. This is going to be an even more unpredictable weekend than it normally is
. It's a great chance for this new regime to flex their muscle on their approach to team-building. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is obviously front-row, center on the effort. But one of his new assistants, Kyle Smith, will have a huge role, too. Smith recently sat down for an interview ahead of the draft - and he may have dropped a fascinating clue about the team's possible intentions.
"We're gonna get good football players at every level. It's not just the number (of picks) - obviously the more picks you have, the more shots you have…on goal, as they say. More chances you have to hit.
That doesn't necessarily mean that we're going to have 11 (picks). We have 11 going in, we might have less. Maybe we trade up and do all those things. Maybe we gather more (picks) for next year. So…you've got a lot of different flexibility when you have that kind of capital."
Kyle Smith
Miami Dolphins assistant general manager
At the end of the day, this is all posturing, right? You want to keep all your options open. You certainly don't want to telegraph your intentions. But I would also believe it if you told me that the Miami Dolphins actually do get aggressive. There are going to be undrafted rookie spots available on the 53-man roster either way. The team also does need extra draft picks for 2027 to create long-term flexibility.
A trade down at some point in this year's draft for future capital could accomplish that. A trade up? I would imagine Miami is like every other team and they will have thresholds and cutoffs for players they covet. And if the price is right? Why not?
That's no different than Miami operating on a budget in free agency, with the lone exception being the price being right on a chance to secure a quarterback to sign in free agency. I wouldn't expect the Miami Dolphins to be giving their draft picks away in bunches. But I certainly do buy what Kyle Smith is saying here. Heck, we may even see a little bit of both.
Miami Dolphins News
Kyle Crabbs April 10, 2026
