In ESPN’s Eyes, Which Dolphins Players are Worth a First-Round Pick on the Trade Market?
First-round picks are one of the more valuable assets in pro sports, but they’re particularly coveted in the NFL. Considering all of the positions there are in the sport and the huge size of professional rosters, having a first-round pick often also means having the opportunity to draft the best player at a respective position in his entire class.
So, it’s no surprise that first-round picks aren’t part of NFL trades all that often, and that only a select few of the league’s brightest and best talents end up fetching such a large asking price on the trade market. What may come as a surprise to some, though, is that ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes that three current Miami Dolphins players are worth a first-rounder.
In a recent article, he cites defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, offensive tackle Patrick Paul, and guard Kadyn Proctor as all holding such great value. But notably, none of running back De’Von Achane (who just ran for more than 1,300 yards in 2025), Jordyn Brooks (who was the NFL’s league-leader in tackles in 2025), and center Aaron Brewer (named an All-Pro in 2025) made the cut.
Grant, Paul, and Proctor are obviously not the most accomplished NFL players yet — the latter hasn’t even made his NFL debut — but it’s still crystal clear as to why they’re so valuable.
They’re all uber-young tackles whom the Dolphins selected high-up in recent drafts. Starting with Proctor, of course, Miami just selected him No. 12 overall in 2026, marking the team’s highest pick made since wideout Jaylen Waddle. In 2025, the Dolphins used their consolation prize for a miserable 2024 campaign — the No. 13 pick — on Grant, who’s on the heels of a downer of a rookie season but looking to bounce back in 2026.
Finally, back in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Dolphins used a second-round pick on Paul, a Houston native. He just started all 17 games for them in 2025, and according to PFF, he ranked 28th among 89 qualified offensive tackles.
