The Miami Dolphins have entered their offseason after a disappointing 7-10 season. The season marked the end of an era for the Dolphins. General manager Chris Grier was fired after their 1-6 start, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was benched after a disappointing performance in Week 15, and following the season, the team dismissed head coach Mike McDaniel.
The core of Grier, Tagovailoa, and McDaniel had been with the team since the 2022 season. They made the postseason in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but after posting losing seasons in 2024 and 2025, owner Stephen Ross decided it was time to cut ties. After the season ended, Miami hired Jon-Eric Sullivan as the team’s new general manager. He arrived after an interview process in which the Dolphins hired help from Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman as a consultant.
Dolphins Predicted to Add Top Defender
After the Dolphins finished 7-10, the team finished with the No. 11 selection in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. It will represent Miami’s highest selection since taking Jaylen Waddle with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 Draft. Last year, the Dolphins held the No. 13 selection, where they took Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant. Grant played in all 17 games for the Dolphins, however, he received a 48.4 overall grade by Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 107th out of 134 interior defensive linemen.
A new mock draft by The Athletic has the Dolphins selecting a defensive player in the first round once again. It would mark the third consecutive year the Dolphins have gone the defensive route in the first round. Writer Dane Brugler had Miami selecting cornerback Jermod McCoy with the 11th overall pick. McCoy started his college career at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee. His 2024 season was his best as he earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America honors following his first season at Tennessee. During that season, he had four interceptions. Many expected an even better season in 2025, but he suffered a torn ACL during the offseason which cost him the season.
McCoy was ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the draft, according to Dane Brugler, who wrote “Based on his 2024 tape, McCoy looked like one of the top defensive prospects in this draft class. But a January ACL injury clouded his projection. McCoy’s spot in the rankings could be determined by the medical feedback he receives.”
Miami Dolphins Defense
Aside from potentially drafting a cornerback, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will have to make significant roster moves on the Dolphins defense. Defensive backs Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas are all set to be free agents after the season. All four were significant contributors during the season.
Additionally, the Dolphins will have a decision to make on pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, who led the team in sacks. Despite his solid performance in the 2025 season, Chubb carries a $31 million cap hit for the Dolphins in 2026, which may be too much for the team to retain him.
Sullivan made his first move as a general manager, as he signed former Packers defensive back Omar Brown to a reserve/futures deal shortly after being hired.
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