The Miami Dolphins may have landed a tight end in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but Seydou Traore is suddenly the most sought-after rookie in two leagues. In a rare and fascinating twist, the former Mississippi State standout was drafted not once—but twice—this week, with the CFL's BC Lions also calling his name in Round 2 of the Global Draft.
The Dolphins selected Traore with the 180th overall pick as part of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan's aggressive roster overhaul. Miami made 13 selections in total, adding two tight ends in the process. Will Kacmerek came off the board in the third round (87th overall), and Traore was the second tight end added to the mix. But while most NFL rookies focus solely on training camp, Traore now has a decision to make.
According to the CFL Global Draft Tracker, the BC Lions selected Traore with the seventh pick of the second round. That means the same player has been drafted by two professional teams from two different leagues in the span of a few days. It's a scenario almost unheard of in modern football, and it puts Traore in a rare position of leverage.
Unlike most draftees, Traore isn't bound to one path. He can choose to sign with the Dolphins and compete for a roster spot in Miami, or he can head north to suit up for the BC Lions in the CFL. But here's the catch: CFL rules prohibit a player from being under contract with both an NFL team and a CFL team simultaneously. So Traore must pick one.
The decision won't be easy. The Dolphins have solid tight end depth, and with Kacmerek taken nearly 100 picks earlier, Traore faces an uphill battle to crack the 53-man roster. However, he could still land on the practice squad and develop as a depth option. The BC Lions, meanwhile, offer a clear path to playing time and a chance to make an immediate impact in the CFL.
This situation is reminiscent of other dual-sport or dual-league draft scenarios—like when Bryce Boettcher was drafted by the Houston Astros while also being an NFL prospect. For Traore, the stakes are high, and the clock is ticking. Both teams will be eager to secure his signature, and fans on both sides of the border will be watching closely.
Whether he ends up in aqua and orange or orange and black, Seydou Traore just became one of the most intriguing undecided rookies in football. Stay tuned—this one is far from over.