We are hours away from the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Miami Dolphins are set to make the No. 11 and No. 30 picks on the first day of the draft, unless a trade occurs.
Regarding a potential trade, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said the team was more likely to move down in the draft than up. He said, “I think it probably is fair to say more likely to move back than move up. I mean, I think we need all 11 picks, but you never say never. I’m always, whether you’re talking about going up or down, I’m going to pick up the phone and listen to what’s being said on the other side of it.”
However, as things stand, Miami appears to be set to pick behind the New York Giants in the first round. Recently, the NFL announced some news regarding one of Miami’s selections.
NFL Announces Miami Dolphins Legend to Introduce Team’s Picks at 2026 Draft
Ahead of the event, the NFL has announced that a Dolphins Hall of Famer will be on stage to announce the Dolphins’ second selection. That presenter is former Dolphins center Dwight Stephenson.
Stephenson himself was a second-round pick in the 1980 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins wrote on their website regarding the announcement:
“Stephenson spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Dolphins (1980-87), anchoring an offensive line that led the league in fewest sacks allowed each season from 1982-87. He was named the 1985 NFL Man of the Year, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn the league’s most prestigious honor.
Stephenson earned four first-team All-Pro honors (1984-87), five Pro Bowl selections (1983-87) and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. A member of the Dolphins Ring of Honor, he was also named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.”
Miami Dolphins Selection
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper predicted the Miami Dolphins would select Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker with the pick Stephenson will announce. Kiper wrote:
“I love Parker’s speed-to-power and how he plays to the whistle. His sack count dipped from 11 to five in 2025, but he knows how to cause problems for opponent QBs, with 114 pressures over the past three years. The Dolphins cut Bradley Chubb, so the edge rush is lacking.”
Parker is the 27th-ranked prospect by NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Regarding Parker, Jeremiah wrote:
“Parker is an intriguing edge rusher with the versatility to slide inside. He had a monster 2024 campaign (11 sacks) but saw his production drop off this past season (five sacks). He is a rugged pass rusher with a powerful shake/bull move coming off the edge. He can jolt blockers with his hands before separating and closing the distance with the quarterback. He doesn’t have an elite burst when rushing outside, but his quickness plays better when he rushes inside. Against the run, he can generate knock-back power at the point of attack and he’s adept at keeping opponents’ hands off his frame. Overall, Parker wasn’t quite as impactful in 2025, which ultimately could lead to a real value selection for his drafting team, but he did help himself with a strong week at the Senior Bowl.”
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