After a polarizing Day 1 of the 2026 NFL draft for the Miami Dolphins and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, they head into Day 2 with four selections.
In Round 1, the Dolphins made a trade down to select offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, and later in the night, made a move up to pick cornerback Chris Johnson.
In the process of moving down with the Dallas Cowboys, and the move up with the San Francisco 49ers, Sullivan tweaked his pick positioning a bit, netting two additional selections, giving them 11 more through the next six rounds.
On Friday, during rounds two and three, they have the picks Nos. 43, 75, 87 and 94, while pick No. 90 was moved to San Francisco in the Johnson deal. The 49ers sent back pick No. 138 in the fourth, giving Miami a pair of picks in that round, and the Dallas deal added two in the fifth, upping that round's total to three selections. They also have two sevenths to close the draft, but the focus is on the current four heading into Day 2, specifically that No. 43 pick.
Seeing how Sullivan went with a combination of size, positional flexibility and athleticism, there are three players who stand out at the edge position. A major need for Miami, there are some key markers to look for when seeing who the potential targets are for the rookie general manager and the Dolphins. There are a pair of very high Relative Athletic Score pass-rushers who fit the bill for Sullivan’s perceived preferences. Two names that could be in play for Miami Day 2 are Illinois’ Gabe Jacas and Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton.
Jacas is 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, checking the size measurable to go with his athleticism. A former wrestler who can play with outstanding leverage, he is also one of the stronger edges in the class, having put up 30 bench reps at the NFL Scouting Combine. If available at No. 43, his name could easily be called by Miami. He had 11 sacks along with 13.5 tackles for loss, as well as six quarterback hits, a pass breakup and three forced fumbles in 2025
The very top of the RAS score edge list is Dennis-Sutton at 9.96. Along with 6-foot-6 height and multiple alignment versatility, he fits a mold of a type of player scouted during Sullivan’s time and upbringing in the Green Bay Packers' front office. Dennis-Sutton had eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles last season. Dennis-Sutton could be in play at No. 75, or earlier, should Miami make another move up to go and get him.
Another name to know, although a bit lower in RAS, is Missouri defensive end Zion Young. At 6-foot-6 and 260-plus pounds, he's a monster on the edge as a run defender, which is valued heavily by head coach Jeff Hafley. Young could be taken within the first 10 selections of round two with his size, edge-setting ability, and versatility across the defensive front. He had 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, a pair of pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 2025.
However, he had some off-field issues, including a misdemeanor assault charge as well as a DWI arrest, and Sullivan had indicated in the days leading to the draft that red flags like these could have him pass on a player. As for the on-field potential, Young, Jacas or Dennis-Sutton would be welcome additions to a very thin area on Miami's defense.
More Dolphins: Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick analysis
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL draft: 3 pass-rushers the Miami Dolphins could target Day 2