Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan breaks down what went into picking Kadyn Proctor at No. 11 overall.
The NFL world is reeling after the first round of the 2026 NFL Drat, and maybe no more than Miami Dolphins fans. The team made some shocking decisions, including trading down one spot and skipping over both Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and homegrown Miami Hurricanes edge Rueben Bain Jr.
Instead, the Dolphins traded down to pick up two fifth-round picks from the Dallas Cowboys and selected Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor. The pick left a lot wondering whether the team was reaching in a big way, and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan broke down the process of why the front office was so high on Proctor.
"He's unique. He's rare. He's a 350lb man with unique athletic traits that can play four spots across the line of scrimmage, the left tackle, right tackle, and both guards. The athletic traits for a man his size are through the roof," Sullivan said.
Proctor is a mountainous offensive lineman who comes in at 6-foot-6 and weighs over 350 pounds. Though he can move well at his size, there have been some questions regarding his weight, and he has come over the mark during his collegiate career.
"You know, I know there's been some questions about his weight. It's well documented. Obviously, we were very aware. We did our due diligence uh with our resources. We feel really good about where he is at uh with that. And um we brought him in on a 30 visit. Uh I could feel his conviction and his desire to be a good football player and do the things that he needs to do to be the best pro that he can be," Sullivan said.
Sullivan is not only a first-time general manager, but he is now the person that fans, analysts, and more will come after if the picks the Dolphins made do not pan out. This will be especially true if passing on Downs and Bain come back to haunt the team.
Still, the first-time general manager feels as though the Proctor pick is a slam dunk, as the team went through many scenarios where they felt "really good" that they would have gotten the Alabama tackle at No. 11 overall. Instead of just staying put, Sullivan and the front office were able to bring in two fifth-round picks while still selecting the lineman that they coveted the most.
For all intents and purposes, this is a big win for Sullivan and the Dolphins. The proof will now come down to whether this pick is the right selection, and if Proctor ends up being the prospect everyone believes him to be.
What will also be interesting is where the Dolphins plan to play the lineman. As Sullivan stated, he can move up and down the line, but there is a steep need at guard and presumably the right tackle position.
If Austin Jackson remains healthy, this could work out in a major way for the Dolphins. Proctor could start his NFL as a supersized guard on either the right or left side.
Jackson has one year left on his contract anyway, and if he does not remain healthy, then Proctor steps into that right side and gives the Dolphins a huge man on the right while fellow big sized tackle Patrick Paul locks down the left side.
If not, then Proctor can step into a guard position while Jackson plays out the final year of his current deal.