The Miami Dolphins had an eventful first day of the 2026 NFL Draft, making two trades and selecting two players during Round 1. The team first traded back one spot with the Dallas Cowboys, moving from 11th to 12th and adding two fifth-round picks in the move. They then selected Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor to add to their offensive line with the first pick made by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley.
Miami was then scheduled to make the 30th pick, but instead moved up to the 27th position, giving the San Francisco 49ers a third round pick in the swap while getting back an additional four-round selection. The Dolphins added San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson with the pick.
What do the analysts think of Miami’s two new rookies? We took a look around the web to see what was being said:
So the Dolphins slide back one spot and take Kadyn Proctor, the offensive tackle from Alabama.
Nick Saban raised some concerns about Proctor in recent days, noting that he was not really a “self-starter” during the time he coached him at Alabama. Add in the concerns over him holding up in pass protection in the NFL, and the idea that he might kick inside to guard, and you can see the worry.
I like that the Dolphins traded one spot back with the Cowboys and picked up a pair of fifth-round picks to continue restocking their shelves across the roster. And I see the logic in grabbing a road-grading offensive tackle like Proctor here, who brings a physical presence that this team desperately needs. I had a few offensive linemen ranked higher, including Penn State’s Vega Ioane and Georgia’s Monroe Freeling. And edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. would’ve been a great pick here. But Proctor is a big, big man and will help set the tone for this new Miami regime.
Proctor has the most prodigious power in this tackle class with special movement skills for a 350+ pounder. His weight will be worth monitoring, but when he was at his trimmest, Proctor was dominant at the end of the season. He can start inside at guard or stick at tackle.
The first true upset of the draft and a real roll of the dice, similar to the gamble general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made in paying big money to quarterback Malik Willis. At his best, Proctor can be dominant. But even his former head coach, Nick Saban, has publicly talked about Proctor’s struggles with maintaining his weight. This is a risky pick that could wind up busting. With the local superstar Rueben Bain Jr. still available, taking Proctor is especially head-scratching.
The recent track record on 350-plus-pound offensive tackles isn’t great, but Proctor has a ways to go in terms of conditioning and technique. The upside is crazy here, but he’s still a big project for a team that doesn’t have many sure bets in terms of startable players right now. If he can stay focused and be the player everyone is hoping for, he could form a great long-term duo with Patrick Paul at tackle.
The Dolphins starting their rebuild in the trenches seems wise. This is going to be a long, methodical process, and it’s not going to work if they aren’t strong up front. I’m just not sure I can get on board with the value here at No. 12. Proctor, an overwhelmingly powerful lineman who tips the scales at nearly 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, indeed comes with sky-high ceiling. I’m not sure how well he’ll handle speed at tackle, though. If the idea is to play him there, I think Monroe Freeling probably would have been the better move. If they intend to play him at guard, then passing on Olaivavega Ioane is a curious move. Proctor could be a star if it all clicks, but he may have a lower floor than others at the position.
A Miami team facing an extensive rebuild looked to be in prime position to address its front. Proctor, however, is a somewhat surprising target for the team. At his best, the 6-7, 352-pounder can be a devastating enforcer in the run game and engulf edge rushers to safeguard his quarterback. But weight management has been an issue, and he’s one of the draft’s more volatile prospects. High-risk, high-reward move for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Proctor has been polarizing in the pre-draft process because of split opinion on whether he can deliver the consistent athleticism and technique needed to play effective tackle in the NFL in the massive frame. The Dolphins lean on the side of huge upside. In reality, Proctor will need to play either right tackle in place of Austin Jackson or slide inside at first because he cannot be trusted in regular pass protection yet. Miami did reach with some better, safer offensive linemen on the board.
The Miami Dolphins made a massive strategic mistake. The organization allowed positional and outright draft-pick greed to blur their vision of what should have been a no-brainer.
Caleb Downs was graded as the No. 1 overall prospect in this year’s class by the B/R Scouting Department. Proctor was viewed as a fringe first-round talent based on his play in 2025.
An argument will be immediately made that the Dolphins desperately needed talent, everyone. While that’s true, Downs is still the answer. More draft picks certainly weren’t, because Miami already owned seven selections in this year’s initial 95 picks. They’re not in a position to pass on an elite talent to address a specific need. But Miami did it anyway.
To be fair, Proctor did a fantastic job turning around his last season on campus. The 20-year-old left tackle entered the 2025 campaign as a highly regarded prospect with top-10 potential. But he really struggled through the early portions of the campaign. Proctor almost looked lethargic and displayed significant technique issues.
However, the true junior seemingly recommitted to his craft midseason, got into better shape and played well down the stretch, to the point where it became obvious he could be an NFL left tackle. At 6’7″ and 352 pounds, Proctor is a mountainous and powerful human being. As long as he remains committed, he has the potential to be a long-time, high-level blocker.
At 6′ 7″ and 352 pounds, Proctor is a mountain of a man. Proctor started 39 games at left tackle over the past three years, dominating in the SEC to earn second-team All-American honors in 2025. While the power is unquestioned, the concern is about whether Proctor is actually too big and if he can move laterally well enough to deal with NFL speed rushers. Still, the talent is undeniable.
How he fits with the Dolphins: The Dolphins are in full rebuild mode, and Miami is trying to start that process in the trenches. Proctor will start immediately in front of newly acquired quarterback Malik Willis while creating run lanes for star back De’Von Achane. Provided he’s fully committed to being his best, Proctor has immense potential.
Miami meets a need, but I’m not sure about the value. Proctor is a hulking offensive tackle with the physical tools to be an annual Pro Bowl tackle, but he has struggled against quicker stunts and speed rushes in college. Is he a better suited as an eventual guard in the NFL? It’s possible.