Dolphins fans rage at ‘sickening decision’ to let ‘best player in the draft’ go to AFC Super Bowl contenders

Apr 24, 2026 - 12:30

The Miami Dolphins made a very bold decision on the opening night of the NFL Draft.

Miami decided to trade back from their original No.11 pick, striking a deal with the Dallas Cowboys to accumulate more draft capital.

General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. — Jon-Eric Sullivan green-lit a swap of the No.11 and No.12 picks with the Dallas Cowboys

Dallas moved up from No. 12 to No. 11, sending the No. 12 pick and two fifth-round picks (Nos. 177 and 180) to Miami to complete the deal.

Dallas selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, while the Dolphins used the pick on former Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.

Many expected that with the trade down they would select Rueben Bain Jr., whom they had been heavily linked to.

Dolphins general manager John Eric-Sullivan would go on to explain the decision to pass on both Downs and Bain Jr.

“Downs and Bain are marvelous players, and I think those guys are going to be very successful in this league, no doubt about it,” Sullivan said, via Will Manso of WPLG Local 10 News

“Again, we thought Proctor was rare. His height, weight, speed, production, and the things that he can do on the football field for a man his size make him an outlier. There are not many like him.

“It is no shot at Caleb Downs, a phenomenal football player, and he will have a great career.

“We would have loved to have him here, but we had a lot of conviction on Proctor being a very unique player in this draft and one that we can build around for years.”

Eric-Sullivan highly endorses Proctor, but Dolphins fans weren’t particularly happy at the deal.

“Caleb Downs falls right to you, and you just trade the pick away. Absolutely sickening. Awful start for the new regime in Miami,” one fan commented.

Caleb Downs of Ohio State poses for a photo after being selected 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. — Downs has been described as the best player in the draft class

Kadyn Proctor of Alabama poses for a photo after being selected 12th overall by the Miami Dolphins during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. — The Dolphins instead drafted Kaydn Proctor, a decision that has infuriated fans

“You had Caleb Downs in your hands, and you trade down. Things just keep getting worse and worse,” a second raged about the decision.

“I cannot believe we passed on Downs, what on earth are we doing?’ a third added.

Downs described as ‘best player in the draft’

The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman‘s rating of the Cowboys trading up to select Downs is sure to further annoy Dolphins fans.

“Pound for pound, Downs is the best player in the draft,” Dochterman said.

“Now he’s the best value in the draft. For Dallas, Downs marries the best player available. It’s not just a win-win, but a win-win-win. “

The five-star safety from Georgia was a freshman All-American at Alabama, tallying 107 tackles.

After Nick Saban retired, he transferred to Ohio State and continued his dominance.

He was a key part of the 2024 championship team, tallying an interception in the semifinal to seal the Cotton Bowl victory.

His junior season was even better, despite Ohio State not winning a championship.

Everything Ohio State did in the secondary was built around Downs, letting him use his instincts and tackling ability as much as possible.

He finished his collegiate career with 257 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and six interceptions, between his time at Ohio State and Alabama.

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