A new behind-the-scenes looks at the 2026 NFL Draft reveals a dramatic execution of a trade between the Miami Dolphins & Dallas Cowboys .
The Miami Dolphins
were buys in more ways than one during the 2026 NFL Draft. Not only did Miami end up making 13 draft selections, they were apart of three trades. Miami conducted both a trade up and a trade down in the first round. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan followed with an encore to trade down once again on Saturday afternoon.
It was Miami's first trade, a flip of picks No. 11 & 12, that served as one of the more dramatic moments from this year's draft. We got a behind the scenes look thanks to ESPN's 'The Pick is In'
.
This execution is making the rounds for being a white knuckle experience for the Cowboys. They, of course, would go on to finalize their selection of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs
at No. 11 overall. The pick was registered with just seconds left on the clock.
The scene in Miami was much more relaxed once the deal was registered. If Dallas failed to submit the Downs pick on time, it simply would have allowed the Dolphins to make their pick at any time during their fresh allotment of 8 minutes for the 12th overall selection. They could have, in theory, skipped Dallas if the Cowboys weren't on their P's & Q's after finalizing their deal. We've seen such scenarios happen a handful of times before.
But that story never had to play out. The Dolphins stocked up on draft picks, the Cowboys got their standout safety, and the Dolphins secured a tone-setter in the trenches. Kadyn Proctor, the pick at No. 12 overall, will hopefully help Miami shed the "soft" label that's been tied to their team for the past few years. It ends up being a win-win opportunity. But not without a little drama.
Miami Dolphins News
Kyle Crabbs April 28, 2026
