MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins selected Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor on Thursday night with the 12th pick in the NFL draft as they begin their rebuild under new coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
The Dolphins were originally slated to pick at No. 11 before making a trade with Dallas, which moved up a spot to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Miami in return received picks 12, 177 and 180.
"I just don't even know what to say," Proctor said in a television interview. “I'm at a loss for words. I just appreciate the Dolphins for giving me an opportunity to go down there and play. I'm (going to) go play my (butt) off.”
The Dolphins have needs all over their roster, but it's not surprising that Sullivan is beginning in the trenches to bolster Miami's run-blocking for Pro Bowl receiver De'Von Achane and add protection for new quarterback Malik Willis — a signal of change for a team that had previously been built around the speed and flash of its skills players.
Miami had 10 games of 120-plus rushing yards in 2025, tied for sixth-most in the NFL, behind Achane, who led the league with 5.7 yards per carry.
“It’s going to feel so good, man, knowing that you’re blocking for a guy that makes your job so easy,” Proctor said. “He's going to make plays. He’s a great running back, fast as hell. I can’t wait to block for him.”
Proctor started immediately at left tackle as a freshman and allowed just two sacks in his three seasons at Alabama. His combination of size — he's 6-foot-7, 352 pounds — and athleticism will provide Miami a needed cornerstone piece to build the offensive line with ascending left tackle Patrick Paul and veteran center Aaron Brewer.
Proctor primarily played left tackle in college, but many draft scouts believe he can be a solid guard. The 20-year-old said he's willing to play either position.
If anything, the Dolphins are getting a willing ball-carrier in Proctor, who had five runs for 16 yards in college.
“It’s really just about the trust factor," Proctor said. "I go out there, and I just try to handle my business. I’ll play guard, tackle, center, wide receiver — If it means going out there and helping my team win, I’m going to do it.”
The Dolphins have had back-to-back losing seasons, finishing 7-10 in 2025 and ensuring that their 25-year playoff-win drought — the longest such streak in the NFL — would continue. Longtime general manager Chris Grier was fired midseason and coach Mike McDaniel was let go a few days after concluding his second straight losing season.
Sullivan was hired in January and brought with him a promise to rebuild Miami’s fractured franchise in a similar way the the Packers’ model — to rely on the draft to find and develop their own talent to build their franchise around.
Sullivan has a handful of additional selections to use this weekend as he begins implementing his vision, including pick No. 30.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
“Side-splittingly funny and brilliantly chaotic” Read moreThe Play That Goes Wrong
Get ready for an exhilarating morning at the Third Annual Foster City 5k Fun Run on Saturday… Read moreFoster City 5k
Join us May 9th for the District 4 Toastmasters 2026 Conference - Eras of YOU: Renewing Huma… Read moreDistrict 4 Annual Conference - Eras of YOU Renewing Human Resilience in the Generative AI Era
Dirk van Ulden said:
CoastalBoy said:
anna kuhre said:
anna kuhre said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.