Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 22: Miami Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan speaks as Jeff Hafley is introduced during a press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex on January 22, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins made a clinical decision to overhaul much of their roster, dating back to the trade deadline last year.
Since then they have cut starting veterans such as All-Pro Tyreek Hill, Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb, and starting guard James Daniels, and traded away players like edge rusher Jaelan Phillips – who received a $30 million/year deal in free agency – and more recently wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was moved to the Denver Broncos for a first and third round pick in April’s NFL draft.
Now down their top two wideouts from the past four years, many expect the team to address this big roster concern early – and perhaps often – next month. However, according to NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, this may not be the case.
Dolphins Could Forego Selecting Wideout In First Round
Brooks claimed, whilst speaking on the Move the Sticks podcast alongside NFL Network’s primary draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, that due to the influence of new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, it is quite possible the team looks to the later rounds for a wideout, rather than attacking the position with one of their first two selections at #11 and #30.
“Let’s also think about where they come from and what could be in play in terms of weapons on the outside…Given their experience in Green Bay, where up until last year when they took Matthew Golden first round pick, they’ve always been able to find receivers outside the first round.” Brooks said on Thursday’s edition of the podcast.
“Because Jon-Eric Sullivan, who is the son of Jerry Sullivan, one of the best WR coaches we’ve ever seen in the National Football League, they may feel like they can crack the code when it comes to finding a wideout, which might be why they were good with letting Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle go.
How Will Jon-Eric Sullivan Address the Receiver Position?
On the roster Miami currently sports a starting trio of Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington. Of the three, Washington is the only layover from the 2025 season, with Atwell and Tolbert having joined this past month in free agency.
Tolbert and Atwell have both individually had productive pass-catching seasons in the past; both players hit career bests to-date in 2024, where they managed 610 and 562 receiving yards respectively. But neither has proven – as of yet – to have WR1 – or even really WR2 capabilities.
In the modern game, having a true number one guy has become a “must” through conventional wisdom, but Green Bay has operated a strong passing game for nearly half a decade without having one. Sullivan may well have a similar view, and given that receiver is one of the deepest position groups in this year’s draft, waiting could well be a winning strategy.
Miami have four second round picks this year, and instead of looking for their next big star at #30, the front-office might prefer to dip twice in the third round, focusing instead on building up the secondary, pass rush and the offensive line.
Yet, if the Dolphins don’t attack the position at least once before day three, it would no doubt be a shock.