Miami Dolphins
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A top cornerback in the draft spoke about Jeff Hafley
The Miami Dolphins are in a position where they need to address major holes throughout the roster. While the quarterback position is the one that will draw the most headlines and intrigue, Miami needs to find starters all over the field in order to be competitive in the 2026 season.
It will not be an easy task for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley. They took the job knowing Miami had an aging roster with cap issues entering 2026, andafter releasing All-Pro wide receiverTyreek Hill andPro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb, the team plans to get cheaper and younger.
The best way to do that is by drafting well. Miami’s general manager has spoken about building through the draft.Sullivan said, “We’re going to draft and develop and retain our own. It’s important to us that we raise our own because that’s culture, right? We don’t want a team full of mercenaries. That creates problems on multiple levels… But then within that, it’s who you infuse into that locker room. We want people who love football, who want to be the best that they can be, who are selfless, who are good teammates.”
Top Cornerback Prospect Shares Feelings on Miami Dolphins Head Coach
The Miami Dolphins currently possess the No. 11 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, their highest selection since they took Jaylen Waddle with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. One player who has been mocked to the Dolphins by NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah was cornerback Mansoor Delane.Jeremiah wrote,“This is a defense in need of retooling. With Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones and Kader Kohou heading for free agency, the Dolphins land the best cornerback in the draft.”
Now,Delane has been asked about meeting with the Dolphins at the combine, and about Miami head coach Jeff Hafley.Delane said, “ Coach Hafley – he’s a guy that recruited me at Boston College. Very familiar with him and I’m excited to meet with him again.”
Delane ranked eighth on Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects list.He wrote, “Delane is one of the most consistent players in this draft class. He makes everything look easy in coverage as a corner who is extremely loose and fluid in his change of direction. Delane is adept at press coverage, possessing the ability to re-route and mirror all over the field.
In zone, he plays with instincts and awareness. He goes long stretches without getting challenged because of his tight coverage. When he is attacked, he can locate and make plays on the ball. He always looks to get involved in run defense, closing space in a hurry and operating as a physical, reliable tackler. Overall, Delane has the tools to match up with every style of receiver. He can run with the vertical weapons and play physical with the bigger ones.”
Miami Dolphins Secondary
As Jeremiah laid out, drafting Delane would help fix a need on the Dolphins defense. With their top two cornerbacks from the 2025 season heading into free agency, the team lacks starters at the position. Additionally, Kader Kohou, who started for the Dolphins from 2022 to 2024, suffered a season-ending knee injury before the 2025 season and is also a free agent.
Miami could opt to re-sign all three and use their draft resources elsewhere, as the team also has holes on the offensive line, edge, safety, wide receiver and quarterback. Rasul Douglas, who was Miami’s best cornerback during the 2025 season, didexpress a desire to return to the team in 2026. However, signing a cornerback who will be 32 when the 2026 season starts would be going against past comments made by the Dolphins general manager.