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Miami Dolphins select Kaydan Proctor in NFL Draft news

The Miami Dolphins entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a large number of needs on its roster. After selecting Kaydin Proctor out of Alabama with the No. 12 overall selection, the Dolphins have managed to address one of those needs with what they hope is a difference-maker and culture setter for the franchise. Additionally, Miami managed to land some extra draft capital as they traded down one slot with the Dallas Cowboys, who gave the Dolphins two fifth-round picks.

The No. 12 pick was Miami’s highest since drafting wide receiver Jaylen Waddle with the sixth overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Waddle was traded this season to the Denver Broncos for a package that includes the No. 30 selection.

Before Proctor, Miami’s previous two first round picks had been pass rusher Chop Robinson and interior defensive lineman Kenneth Grant. While both have played significant snaps for the Dolphins, neither has truly delivered production the team might want out of a first-round player. Hopefully, Proctor can reverse that trend. Proctor marked the first offensive player selected in the first round by the Dolphins since the team took Jaylen Waddle.

Miami Dolphins Select Kaydin Proctor in NFL Draft

Kaydin Proctor marks the first Dolphins player drafted by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. He had previously been linked to the Dolphins in a mock draft by Dolphins on SI’s Zack Duarte, who wrote about Proctor:

“High-end talent with elite physical tools. More of a trade-down option if Miami looks to pick up additional capital while still addressing tackle. Needs to keep weight down, otherwise he projects as a guard.”

Proctor started 40 games during his college football career at Alabama. In those games he even carried the ball five times for Alabama, which speaks to the athleticism of the offensive lineman. 

Kadyn Proctor’s Prospect Ranking

Proctor was the 24th-ranked prospect by NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Regarding Proctor, Jeremiah wrote:

“Proctor is an enormous tackle prospect. He has excellent feet and agility for a big man. In pass protection, he has an explosive first step and keeps defenders off his chest. He can sink his weight and stall bull rushers. He will occasionally react late off the snap, which has led to some short-corner loses. In the run game, he can uncoil his hips on contact and displace defenders. He excels on down blocks, washing defenders down the line of scrimmage. He was used as a skill player on occasion at Alabama and even caught a quick screen against Georgia — that speaks to his athleticism. Overall, Proctor will need to manage his weight to stay at tackle, but he has the most upside of any blocker in this draft.”

While selecting an offensive lineman tends to be a smart team-building strategy, Dolphins fans may lament that the team opted against selecting Miami Hurricanes defensive end Reuben Bain Jr., who was still on the board at the time of Miami’s selection. Additionally, Miami could have drafted safety Caleb Downs, who was selected by the Cowboys after the trade by the team.