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MIAMI GARDENS — New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan understands the lasting impact his first draft will have in the long-term shaping of his roster.
After taking an ax to much of what previous GM Chris Grier had in place, taking on more dead money than what will be allotted to players contributing in 2026 and finding cheap options of players for minimum or near-minimum contracts aside from quarterback Malik Willis, Sullivan will soon inject a rookie class into what he’s building.
As he knows there are many holes to address in the NFL draft, which takes place next week in Pittsburgh, the success of his 11 picks can either streamline or delay the Dolphins reaching their ultimate goals.
“We do not have a ton of established players on this team,” Sullivan said Wednesday at his pre-draft press conference. “That’s not to say we don’t like our players. I think we got a lot of guys here that are going to help us, that are going to surprise some people, if you will, that’ll play above what maybe the expectations are.
“But the truth of the matter is we have very few established players on this roster. So this draft class will have an opportunity to come in here and play soon, play quick.”
The Dolphins first select at No. 11 in the first round. That Thursday night, they’re slated to pick again at 30, the first-round choice picked up by trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
The second day of the draft, they pick at No. 43 in the second round before they’re slotted for four selections in the third and round out their 11 picks in Rounds 4-7 that Saturday.
The needs are plentiful for Sullivan. He needs to find a cornerback, edge rusher, wide receiver, safety, offensive linemen and, overall, just add good players to the roster to establish a young core.
“Where you have holes is obvious,” Sullivan said, “but we’re always going to be a best-player-available approach.”
Within that, Sullivan will offer his first glimpse at how willing he is to trade. He already pulled one off last month, sending Waddle to Denver for picks in the first and third rounds. On Wednesday, he affirmed De’Von Achane is not in that same boat, as clearly as he could, stating his star running back is “not available for trade.”
Still, if Sullivan were to trade, it would be more likely to move back and acquire more draft capital rather than move up for a prospect he really likes.
“I’m always going to pick up the phone,” Sullivan said. “I think it probably is fair to say, more likely to move back than move up. I think we need all 11 picks, but you never say never. And whether you’re talking about going up or down, I’m going to pick up the phone and listen to what’s being said on the other side of it.”
That said, having four picks in the third round could incline a decision-maker to use one of them as ammunition to move up.
“Yeah, sure, it’s enticing. That’s why you keep good people around you, to help you stay disciplined,” Sullivan said. “But yeah, sure, I mean, that situation could present itself. I think there’s strength in numbers, so unless it was a very special player, I would rather have two good players than maybe one special player, with where we are as a roster right now.”
As Sullivan highlights that he will take a best-player-available approach, he also said he thinks every day how he might have certain positions he feels he must address by a certain point in the draft, say, after Day 2.
“Sure, I look at the holes and I say, man, I got to fill this and I got to fill that,” Sullivan said, “but it’s also a stark reminder: Just take good football players and everything will work itself out.”
Sullivan said Hall of Fame quarterback and broadcaster Troy Aikman, who was involved in the hiring process for both Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, may be in the team’s draft room next week but won’t be consulted for picks.
He added owner Steve Ross is “as supportive of an owner as you can be.” Sullivan noted he will be making the final call on the team’s draft picks.
The Dolphins GM is confident, as a roster transition begins this offseason, that this team will eventually return to competing.
“I have no doubts we will get where we want to go,” he said. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. I don’t have a crystal ball. I’m not up here to make predictions on how fast. I have a tremendous faith in our process and the people that carry out the process, and we’ll get there.”
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After taking an ax to much of what previous GM Chris Grier had in place, taking on more dead money than what will be allotted to players contributing in 2026 and finding cheap options of players for minimum or near-minimum contracts aside from quarterback Malik Willis, Sullivan will soon inject a rookie class into what he’s building.
As he knows there are many holes to address in the NFL draft, which takes place next week in Pittsburgh, the success of his 11 picks can either streamline or delay the Dolphins reaching their ultimate goals.
“We do not have a ton of established players on this team,” Sullivan said Wednesday at his pre-draft press conference. “That’s not to say we don’t like our players. I think we got a lot of guys here that are going to help us, that are going to surprise some people, if you will, that’ll play above what maybe the expectations are.
“But the truth of the matter is we have very few established players on this roster. So this draft class will have an opportunity to come in here and play soon, play quick.”
The Dolphins first select at No. 11 in the first round. That Thursday night, they’re slated to pick again at 30, the first-round choice picked up by trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
The second day of the draft, they pick at No. 43 in the second round before they’re slotted for four selections in the third and round out their 11 picks in Rounds 4-7 that Saturday.
The needs are plentiful for Sullivan. He needs to find a cornerback, edge rusher, wide receiver, safety, offensive linemen and, overall, just add good players to the roster to establish a young core.
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“Where you have holes is obvious,” Sullivan said, “but we’re always going to be a best-player-available approach.”
Within that, Sullivan will offer his first glimpse at how willing he is to trade. He already pulled one off last month, sending Waddle to Denver for picks in the first and third rounds. On Wednesday, he affirmed De’Von Achane is not in that same boat, as clearly as he could, stating his star running back is “not available for trade.”
Still, if Sullivan were to trade, it would be more likely to move back and acquire more draft capital rather than move up for a prospect he really likes.
“I’m always going to pick up the phone,” Sullivan said. “I think it probably is fair to say, more likely to move back than move up. I think we need all 11 picks, but you never say never. And whether you’re talking about going up or down, I’m going to pick up the phone and listen to what’s being said on the other side of it.”
That said, having four picks in the third round could incline a decision-maker to use one of them as ammunition to move up.
“Yeah, sure, it’s enticing. That’s why you keep good people around you, to help you stay disciplined,” Sullivan said. “But yeah, sure, I mean, that situation could present itself. I think there’s strength in numbers, so unless it was a very special player, I would rather have two good players than maybe one special player, with where we are as a roster right now.”
As Sullivan highlights that he will take a best-player-available approach, he also said he thinks every day how he might have certain positions he feels he must address by a certain point in the draft, say, after Day 2.
“Sure, I look at the holes and I say, man, I got to fill this and I got to fill that,” Sullivan said, “but it’s also a stark reminder: Just take good football players and everything will work itself out.”
Sullivan said Hall of Fame quarterback and broadcaster Troy Aikman, who was involved in the hiring process for both Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, may be in the team’s draft room next week but won’t be consulted for picks.
He added owner Steve Ross is “as supportive of an owner as you can be.” Sullivan noted he will be making the final call on the team’s draft picks.
The Dolphins GM is confident, as a roster transition begins this offseason, that this team will eventually return to competing.
“I have no doubts we will get where we want to go,” he said. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. I don’t have a crystal ball. I’m not up here to make predictions on how fast. I have a tremendous faith in our process and the people that carry out the process, and we’ll get there.”
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