Here’s what Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley need to acquire in the NFL Draft — players with the right attitude, guys who have a winning mindset. Yes, they desperately need talent. But they also need the right type of player.

Sullivan and Hafley should be looking for competitive traits such as grit, hard work and toughness. This year, characteristics are slightly more essential than talent.I’ve got player preferences for the Dolphins in this draft, which begins Thursday night, and I wouldn’t mind seeing them double down on defense in the first round.Ideally, I’d like to see the Dolphins select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane or Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 11. But there’s a chance neither is there, so I’d probably go with Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.And then perhaps an edge rusher at No. 30, either Missouri’s Zion Young or Auburn Keldric Faulk or even UCF’s Malachi Lawrence.But for now, let’s focus elsewhere.The Dolphins don’t need to worry about filling needs with their 11 selections in the draft.

The Dolphins don’t need to worry about getting the BPA (Best Player Available) with their two first-round picks, Nos. 11 and 30.Sullivan and Hafley, in their first season in charge, are establishing a culture, a way of doing things. Obviously, you want to win, and winning is always important.This season, however, laying a foundation is equally as important.What’s the mold for a 2026 Miami Dolphins draftee?Look at some of the Dolphins’ current leaders. Center Aaron Brewer.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Running back De’Von Achane. Left tackle Patrick Paul. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler.They’re all hard-working, class acts.

They range from a first-round pick (Brooks) to a seventh-round pick (Sieler). They have recent All Pro selections (Brewer and Brooks), a recent Pro Bowl selection (Achane), and players who haven’t been honored in that fashion but could have or might earn such an honor in the future (Sieler and Paul). We’ve all seen how badly things can go for the Dolphins when they have the wrong players whether it’s showing up late for team meetings, not showing up for player-only video sessions, coming up short in the most competitive games on the schedule, or, at the extreme end of the spectrum, having a bullying scandal.

Of course, you need quality players. After all, this is the NFL, and talent is essential.So, let’s talk about talent.At No. 11, if the Dolphins select Delane, they potentially get a shutdown cornerback, which is a rare skill in this league. McCoy, who missed 2025 with an ACL injury but doesn’t have an injury history aside from that, offers a similar talent.

I like both of these guys. I’ve always favored having a pair of top-notch cornerbacks in the Sam Madison-Patrick Surtain mold, who I covered with the yesteryear Dolphins. I was excited about the prospect of the Dolphins cornerback duo of Jalen Ramsey-Xavien Howard in 2023, but injuries wiped out their effectiveness.Delane or Cook, perhaps, starts Miami on a promising path.If Mauigoa is there at No. 11, that’s a great selection because he’s the best offensive lineman in the draft, a guy who could play guard as a rookie and then slide over to right tackle in 2027, assuming this is the final year for veteran right tackle Austin Jackson.Mauigoa is probably the only offensive lineman that makes sense at No. 11.

It’s a bit too high for Utah’s Spencer Fano, a swing tackle who has spent the last two seasons on the right side.As for wide receivers, No. 11 is probably too high for anyone except Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, who will likely be gone. I’d definitely scoop up Tate if he’s available. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson could be an option, but his injuries (knee as a freshman, collarbone as a junior, hamstring as a senior) are troubling.At No. 30, perhaps Washington’s Denzel Boston is available, and he’d provide a big-bodied (6-3, 212) player who can go up and get the ball, which immediately offers situational options ranging from third down to red zone.Also at No. 30, Young and Lawrence are pass-rushing specialists, which is a big need, while Faulk is a big (6–foot-5, 276 pounds), physical run-stuffer/space-eater, and this defense could use physicality.Related Articles Sun Sentinel’s final NFL mock draft: How does Giants’ huge trade impact Dolphins?

Sun Sentinel staff predictions for Dolphins’ first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft Dave Hyde: Dolphins have articulated a good plan — now can it come alive in draft? South Florida’s 2026 NFL draft prospects who could hear their names called Doubling up on defense makes sense considering the Dolphins might not have a starting-caliber defensive back on the roster right now (safeties Lonnie Johnson Jr., and Dante Trader are promising, as are cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Storm Duck), and among the defensive linemen only Sieler is reliable. And he’s coming off a disappointing season statistically.So, that’s the talent part of the draft.But if I’m Sullivan and