The Miami Dolphins are in the midst of a rebuild with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley coming in to replace Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel, respectively. And with that, the team also turned over a good chunk of their roster.
Now, heading into 2026, Miami may not have the talent to compete with most teams around the league. In fact, many are projecting that they'll finish with the worst record of the 32 teams and secure the top pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
Interestingly, ESPN's Jordan Reid released a mock draft this week that has the Dolphins holding pick No. 1 overall. However, he projects that they'll trade the selection to the Cleveland Browns for two 2027 first-round picks (Nos. 4 and 32), a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028
second-round pick.
So, while the Browns get Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, the Dolphins slide down to No. 4 overall and take Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Then, at No. 32 overall, they address their defense and take Clemson edge rusher Will Heldt.
Smith, 20, played at Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, Florida, and was a five-star recruit before committing to Ohio State. Over the last two years with the Buckeyes, he's earned All-American honors twice and won a national championship, while catching 163 passes for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Heldt, 21, was a three-star prospect out of Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. He spent two years at Purdue before transferring to Clemson in 2025 and earning All-ACC honors. In 37 games between the schools, he's recorded 114 tackles, 12.5 sacks, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and fumble recovery.
While the Dolphins would certainly benefit from adding the top prospect in the draft, they need so much help, that trading that pick and grabbing multiple players over the next two years could be much better for them.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins projected to make franchise-altering trade in 2027 mock draft
