Full Breakdown
Miami Dolphins Projected No. 1 Pick Trade in Early 2027 Mock Draft
8/28/2026, 8:08:50 AM
Mock Draft Projection Overview
An ESPN mock draft released this week envisions the Miami Dolphins finishing the 2026 season with a record low enough to secure the No. 1 overall selection in the 2027 NFL draft. The same mock then predicts the Dolphins will trade that top pick three spots down to the Cleveland Browns, moving to No. 4 and acquiring an additional first-round pick originally belonging to the Los Angeles Rams. With the No. 4 slot, the mock assigns Miami Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, a South Florida native, as its first selection.
Context of Miami’s Rebuilding Effort
The projection follows a franchise overhaul led by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who earlier signed quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year contract after Willis spent limited time as a backup with the Green Bay Packers. Sportsbooks have set the Dolphins’ over-under win total for the 2026 season at 3½–4½ games, reflecting expectations that the team will struggle while evaluating Willis’s development.
Projected Draft Selections and Roster Impact
Beyond the trade, the mock draft places the Dolphins at No. 32 in the first round, where they would select Clemson edge defender Will Heldt. The model also anticipates Miami adding three mid-round receivers—Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr.—to complement Smith. The second-round top pick is projected but not named in the source material.
Analyst Commentary
“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
Jordan Reid’s analysis emphasizes that the trade would still allow Miami to address a “severe position of need” while retaining a player who could become the team’s primary receiver.
Outlook for the 2027 Season
If the mock draft scenario materializes, the Dolphins would possess a strong receiving corps to evaluate Willis’s performance from day one of the 2027 campaign. The added first-round asset from the Browns could provide further flexibility, either for additional talent acquisition or future trade leverage, depending on how Willis’s first season unfolds.
