Dolphins Should Look to Draft Some Miami Hurricanes
This century, the Miami Dolphins have had the fortune of drafting some former Miami Hurricanes’ standouts.
In 2012, the Dolphins drafted Lamar Miller, and the former Canes’ running back delivered for his hometown team with 709 rushing yards in 2013, nearly 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, before he accounted for 872 rushing yards and eight touchdowns for the second straight season in 2015 before he departed for Houston in free agency a year later.
That same draft in 2012, Miami also landed Miller’s teammate, Olivier Vernon, who became a prolific pass rusher with the Dolphins as he accounted for 11.5 sacks in 2013, 6.5 sacks in 2014, and 7.5 sacks in 2015 before he broke the bank in free agency in 2016 with the New York Giants.
Similar to the 2012 season, the Dolphins will have plenty of picks at their disposal to build the franchise from the ground up, and there will be plenty of former Miami Hurricanes to choose from.
Like Vernon, Rueben Bain Jr., and Akheem Mesidor are potential Pro Bowl edge defenders that the Dolphins could take in the first round in April.
While he has shorter-than-prototypical arm length, Bain uses his power and quickness to be stout against both the run and the pass, while Mesidor uses his speed and power to be dominant against opposing passing attacks.
With Miami only having one player at the position, Chop Robinson, expect that Bain and Mesidor will both be high on Miami’s draft board.
Should the Dolphins want to attack the offensive front, they should not look further than Francis Mauigoa.
Mauigoa arrived at the Hurricanes with plenty of deserved hype and lived up to it, as he became a three-year starter, All-American, and focal point upfront for the National Runner-Up.
At 6’5, 329 pounds, Mauigoa has exceptional strength and quickness and would be an immediate plug-and-play starter at either guard or tackle with the possibility of him becoming a multi-time pro-bowler and All-Pro.
That is something that the Dolphins have been looking for since 2000.
Later in the draft, Miami could look to do-it-all defensive back Keionte Scott, who could blitz off the edge, help in run support, and even cover in the nickel.
Along with Scott, there is also Jakobe Thomas, who could help in the secondary as a safety.
Offensively, Markel Bell offers a late-round option as a developmental tackle at 6’9, 345 pounds.
Early in his career, Bell could serve as a goal-line package-specific player while he continues to progress as a rotational/starting tackle.
At quarterback, Carson Beck is an early Day 3 option with a strong starting pedigree and a winning background.
Throughout franchise history, the Miami Hurricanes have had plenty of players stay and play for the hometown Dolphins with success as pros.
In the 2026 draft, the Dolphins have a chance to continue that pipeline with multiple players at positions of need.
Dolphins Should Look to Draft Some Miami Hurricanes
Dolphins Should Look to Draft Some Miami Hurricanes
This century, the Miami Dolphins have had the fortune of drafting some former Miami Hurricanes’ standouts.
In 2012, the Dolphins drafted Lamar Miller, and the former Canes’ running back delivered for his hometown team with 709 rushing yards in 2013, nearly 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, before he accounted for 872 rushing yards and eight touchdowns for the second straight season in 2015 before he departed for Houston in free agency a year later.
That same draft in 2012, Miami also landed Miller’s teammate, Olivier Vernon, who became a prolific pass rusher with the Dolphins as he accounted for 11.5 sacks in 2013, 6.5 sacks in 2014, and 7.5 sacks in 2015 before he broke the bank in free agency in 2016 with the New York Giants.
Similar to the 2012 season, the Dolphins will have plenty of picks at their disposal to build the franchise from the ground up, and there will be plenty of former Miami Hurricanes to choose from.
Like Vernon, Rueben Bain Jr., and Akheem Mesidor are potential Pro Bowl edge defenders that the Dolphins could take in the first round in April.
While he has shorter-than-prototypical arm length, Bain uses his power and quickness to be stout against both the run and the pass, while Mesidor uses his speed and power to be dominant against opposing passing attacks.
With Miami only having one player at the position, Chop Robinson, expect that Bain and Mesidor will both be high on Miami’s draft board.
Should the Dolphins want to attack the offensive front, they should not look further than Francis Mauigoa.
Mauigoa arrived at the Hurricanes with plenty of deserved hype and lived up to it, as he became a three-year starter, All-American, and focal point upfront for the National Runner-Up.
At 6’5, 329 pounds, Mauigoa has exceptional strength and quickness and would be an immediate plug-and-play starter at either guard or tackle with the possibility of him becoming a multi-time pro-bowler and All-Pro.
That is something that the Dolphins have been looking for since 2000.
Later in the draft, Miami could look to do-it-all defensive back Keionte Scott, who could blitz off the edge, help in run support, and even cover in the nickel.
Along with Scott, there is also Jakobe Thomas, who could help in the secondary as a safety.
Offensively, Markel Bell offers a late-round option as a developmental tackle at 6’9, 345 pounds.
Early in his career, Bell could serve as a goal-line package-specific player while he continues to progress as a rotational/starting tackle.
At quarterback, Carson Beck is an early Day 3 option with a strong starting pedigree and a winning background.
Throughout franchise history, the Miami Hurricanes have had plenty of players stay and play for the hometown Dolphins with success as pros.
In the 2026 draft, the Dolphins have a chance to continue that pipeline with multiple players at positions of need.
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