Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan speaks before NFL draft: What he said
Miami Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan spoke in his pre-NFL draft news conference on April 15, 2026. Joe Schad & Hal Habib break down what they heard.
- The Miami Dolphins have needs at multiple positions heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
- New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley have replaced Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel.
- In a recent mock draft, the Dolphins are projected to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the 11th pick.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held Thursday, April 23 through Saturday April 25 in Pittsburgh, and the Miami Dolphins have needs at many positions.
The Dolphins could use players at cornerback, guard, safety, defensive end/edge and wide receiver and/or tight end.
The Miami Dolphins hold 11 picks in the draft, including 11th overall (first round), 30th overall (first round), 43th overall (second round) and four third-round picks.
“I think to impact and to improve, you have to play,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said. “We’re in a situation here where these draft picks are going to come in and they’re going to play early.”
Sullivan and first-year coach Jeff Hafley have replaced Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel, respectively. Sullivan and Hafley have a solid relationship as they worked together with the Green Bay Packers.
“I worked in Green Bay with a guy that used to always say, ‘Be careful about trying to hit the home run and make sure you just hit the double off the wall,’ ” Sullivan said of draft strategy.
In six previous mock drafts conducted this year by our Joe Schad, the selections have been:
Mock 1.0: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Mock 2.0: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Mock 3.0: T/G Francis Mauigoa, Miami
7-round mock draft: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
7-round mock draft, 2.0: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
3-round mock draft: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
In Joe’s fourth and final 32-team mock for 2026, the Dolphins secure a top cornerback at No. 11 and trade back with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 30, picking up a third rounder as Arizona moves up to secure its quarterback.
Here is mock draft 4.0 from Joe Schad:
2026 NFL Mock Draft
25. Chicago Bears ― Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio St.
28. Houston Texans ― Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona St.
30. ―Arizona Cardinals (trade up with Miami) Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
32. Seattle Seahawks ― Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
