If the Miami Dolphins end up with the top pick in next year’s NFL draft, would they really trade it away?
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There hasn’t even been a single game played in the 2026 regular season, but draft prognosticators are already unveiling their early 2027 mock drafts.
An ESPN mock draft published Wednesday morning has the Dolphins obtaining the No. 1 pick next April. With the Dolphins completely restructuring the franchise this offseason, many believe Miami is a candidate to end up with one the league’s worst records, as sportsbooks have set the team’s over-under season win total between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 wins.
But with their pick of the litter, the Dolphins are then predicted by ESPN to trade away that top selection.
The mock draft has Miami trading down three spots to No. 4 with the Cleveland Browns, picking up the Browns’ other first-round pick, from the Los Angeles Rams, in the process.
Cleveland is then projected to take Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. With the second pick, the mock draft has Texas quarterback Arch Manning going to the Arizona Cardinals, and at No. 3, the New York Jets choose Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.
That gets the Dolphins to their first selection in the mock draft after passing on the top three quarterbacks in next year’s draft. ESPN has the Dolphins choosing Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, a South Florida product out of Chaminade-Madonna High, with the No. 4 pick.
“The Dolphins fell three spots via our mock trade and would still be able to get my top-ranked player at a severe position of need,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote. “Smith grew up down the road from Hard Rock Stadium and would immediately become Miami’s go-to receiver. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he is a physically imposing wideout who glides past defenders and is capable of winning with speed or power.”
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Smith may be the top overall draft prospect in 2027 regardless of position, but teams selecting at the top of the draft usually are in need of a quarterback.
The Dolphins’ new regime, led by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, took a chance on finding its quarterback this offseason with the addition of Malik Willis, signing him to a three-year deal.
Willis, who has potential, is still unproven with just six NFL starts, most recently backing up Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers, where Sullivan was vice president of player personnel.
The mock draft assumes a scenario where the Dolphins are bad enough with Willis behind center in 2026, but still either pleased with his play or at least uncertain about him after one season.
“(Smith) would also allow Miami to correctly evaluate QB Malik Willis,” Reid wrote.
The Dolphins’ receiving corps in 2027 would carry a lot of potential, pairing Smith with a trio of rookies selected in the middle rounds of the 2026 draft in Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr.
With the late first-round pick acquired in the mock trade, which ESPN has as the No. 32 selection, the Dolphins select Clemson edge defender Will Heldt. They would also pick at the top of the second round.
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