Althon Sports released their latest 3-round mock draft, and with 5 picks in the Top 90, they have the Miami Dolphins addressing a lot of their big needs.
Round 1, Pick #11: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
“Another fantastic match of need and value, Delane is easily one of the top 10 players in this class, and he plays a premium position that’s at the top of Miami’s list of priorities. There’s no true shutdown corner on this roster right now, and Delane proved he can be that guy be erasing his half of the field against SEC competition this past season. He would immediately become the best corner on the team, and would make an instant impact.”
Overview
Delane is one of the top cornerbacks in a CB-rich draft. He excels in press coverage, altering release timing with punches and slides. Smooth hips and efficient footwork keep him connected in man coverage, while his processing allows for quick transitions in off-man and short zone looks. He has good top-end speed for vertical phasing but is inconsistent turning to find the football. While he locks in on the route at times, he’s rarely oblivious to the quarterback’s actions, allowing him to slam catch windows shut and play the football. He played through a core muscle injury for much of the 2025 season and still performed at an elite level. Delane’s emergence over the past two years might be indicative of what’s to come, as he’s shown lockdown potential.
Strengths
- Loose-limbed, highly athletic and efficient in his movements.
- Throws jabs and slides feet to cut off release from press.
- Gets hands on the route quickly and flows tightly to the route.
- Anticipates breaks from off coverage and pounces to erase separation space.
- Tracks quarterback without losing route awareness in zone coverage.
- Makes sharp overlaps to play the throw from deep zone drops.
- Smothers the catch point like a dominant shot blocker.
- Full-contact thumper ready to jar the ball loose.
- Engulfs and wraps up pass-catchers to quickly end the play.
Weaknesses
- Plays tall in space, limiting transition quickness at times.
- Can be baited by clever route combinations in deep zone.
- Aggressive hand usage to redirect, which will bring flags.
- Needs to become more consistent in locating deep throws.
- Can be tardy breaking down as an open-field tackler.
Round 2, Pick #43: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Overview
Slot receiver who can turn routine touches into explosive gains. Georgia prioritized quick touches at or behind the line of scrimmage to take advantage of Branch’s ability to slip tackles and add yards after catch. I expect to see more choice routes and deep crossers rolled into his workload as a pro. His routes are rushed and rounded, though. He will jump unnecessarily to make catches, which subjects him to added punishment from defenders. Branch is strong for his size and very tough. He could be pigeon-holed into a “manufactured touch” role, but he’s capable of more. He should help move the sticks and return punts before eventually settling in as a starting slot.
Strengths
- Top-end speed to pull away and take it to the house.
- Praised for his work ethic and passion for the game at Georgia.
- Above-average play strength to battle against hands-on coverage.
- Able to stick and cut at full speed without losing his pace.
- Can punish zone coverage when working between short and deep.
- Piles on yards after catch when given too much breathing room.
- Showed an ability to thrive through heavy catch contact.
- Access to instant speed when he wants it.
- Offers a dangerous punt-return option when teams need a play.
Weaknesses
- Large share of his targets were thrown behind the line of scrimmage at Georgia.
- Developed a bad habit of jumping to make the catch when it’s unnecessary.
- Rushes through his routes with little attention to detail.
- Will need to eliminate his heavily rounded route turns.
- Short arms will require an accurate passer.
Round 3, Pick #75: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
Overview
Delp is a fluid athlete with the forward lean, short-area quickness and pure speed to beat linebackers on intermediate routes. His soft hands and smooth catch skills show up on the move, though his short arms and inconsistent finish through contact limit his reliability. He has enough toughness and technique to help in the run game as he improves his strength. Delp projects as a Day 3 prospect with three-down potential and untapped upside as a pass catcher.
Strengths
- Good forward lean and early acceleration into his routes.
- Short-area quickness with the ability to uncover on outs, stop routes and crossers.
- Pure speed to beat linebackers matched on him in man coverage.
- Catches with soft hands and adequate extension to meet the throw.
- Uses choppy settle steps and good hand strikes into base blocks.
- Creates leverage with proper bend and lift technique.
Weaknesses
- Short arms lead to challenges rescuing off-frame throws.
- Inconsistent finishing catches through heavy contact.
- Average elusiveness to add yards after the catch.
- Needs to get stronger in his upper body for blocking duties.
- Caught leaning too far forward when getting into blocks.
Round 3, Pick #87: Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illionis
Overview
Jacas is well-built with tremendous play strength and the ability to play as a hand-down end or a stand-up edge. He’s more rugged than explosive and twitchy. He can hold his ground against power but needs to do a better job of playing with discipline to set and contain his edge. Jacas’ pass-rush plan lacks creativity but features a good deal of force and leg drive to bully his way into the pocket once he opens the tackle’s edge. His play is more steak than sizzle with average sack production expected, but his field demeanor and play strength foreshadow a long career as an NFL starter.
Strengths
- Team captain with a wealth of experience.
- Very rugged demeanor with a taste for physicality.
- Power to treat tight ends who line up against him shabbily.
- Strong core and base help him withstand power.
- Always looking to get to the ball and refuses to ride the block.
- Uses bend-and-rip move to hug the rush arc against redirects.
- Violent chop knocks the tackle’s outside punch hand away.
- Works back underneath at pocket depth to vacuum pocket-climbers.
Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal twitch getting in and out of his block engagements.
- Needs to play with better discipline for contain positioning.
- Average short-area quickness for sudden tackle tries.
- Rush path tends to be monotonous and predictable for tackles.
- Not much speed variance or angle changes in his rush.
- Needs to set up inside counters on the next level.
Round 3, Pick #90: Zane Durant, DL, Penn St
Overview
Twitchy 3-technique with rare short-area quickness. Durant’s disruptive potential is maximized in slanting/twisting schemes, where he can use his lateral quickness to beat zone blocks, slip into gaps and track down screens. His small frame and short arms make him a sitting duck as a static defender, though. His rush moves need to be sharpened and refined to give him the best chance of becoming a rotational, sub-package 3-technique in a gaming front.
Strengths
- Twitchy off the snap with disruptive potential.
- Much more difficult to block on the move in gaming fronts.
- Can beat lateral zone blocks and find his way into the backfield.
- Excellent awareness to recognize and chase screens.
- Rare speed and short-area quickness for a defensive lineman.
- Edge-to-edge rush ability when singled up on centers.
Weaknesses
- Smaller stature with short arms.
- Put on skates and rolled out of gaps by down blocks.
- Can’t play in schemes asking him to sit down and take on blocks.
- Unable to withstand longer block engagement.
- Lack of lever length and hand moves for early rush wins.
- Doesn’t have enough brute strength to crank up a bull rush.
