At the NFL trade deadline, the Miami Dolphins shipped out one of their best defensive players, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The move made sense at the time, with Miami sitting at 2-7 when they made the deal.
In hindsight, maybe the Dolphins didn't need to make the trade; they're 4-0 since the deadline. Regardless, the position has gotten weaker, and ESPN's Field Yates predicted they'll target edge in the 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN mock draft has Dolphins selecting Auburn's Keldric Faulk
With the projected 12th overall pick, Yates has Miami picking Auburn edge Keldric Faulk.
"The Dolphins need pass-rush help with Bradley Chubb turning 30 this offseason and Jaelan Phillips now on the Eagles (traded on Nov. 3). They're also currently 21st in pass rush win rate (36.5%)," wrote Yates.
"Faulk had seven sacks and a forced fumble last season, with all the measurables of a prototypical NFL edge rusher. He is a fluid mover at 6-6, 285 pounds, and his pass-rush arsenal is developed enough to where scouts believe he should be a high draft pick despite a modest 2025 campaign (2.0 sacks). He can set the edge against the run, too."
Bradley Chubb is a solid player, but he hasn't exactly lived up to his early career hype with the Denver Broncos. His and Phillips' long-term replacement is found with Faulk.
The Auburn product and Chop Robinson create a formidable pass rush duo in Miami, giving their defense an overall boost in talent.
It remains to be seen if the Dolphins will be picking at this spot, but if Faulk is on the clock come April, Miami would be hard-pressed to pass on such a prospect.
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