ESPN's Bill Barnwell just dropped a bomb, projecting three Dolphins players as legitimate first-round trade assets, and it is NOT the names you would expect from a roster that is clearly in rebuild mode. Miami has been gutting their team, trading Jaylen Waddle and cutting ties with Tua Tagovailoa, Bradley Chubb, and Tyreek Hill. But even with all that change, Barnwell says there is still some serious gold hiding in plain sight.
Barnwell's Shocking Picks for First-Round Talent
Forget your immediate guesses, because Barnwell's analysis for players worth a first-round pick is a wild ride. He singles out defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, offensive tackle Patrick Paul, and offensive tackle/guard Kadyn Proctor as the guys who could fetch a premium draft pick. Paul being on that list makes sense, right? He is a good offensive tackle, and every NFL team out there wants one of those. Proctor, as a recent top-12 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, also being worth a first-rounder is less of a shock. You would honestly be a little alarmed if a player drafted that high wasn't still seen with that kind of value. But Kenneth Grant? After his struggles this past year, putting him in that category is a bold take. Still, Barnwell clearly sees the upside in this young trio. They might not be the flashiest names, but they are young and apparently loaded with potential.Who Missed the Cut and Why It Makes Sense (Mostly)
Now, here is where it gets really interesting, because Barnwell also called out some prominent names who are NOT worth a first-round pick. Running back De'Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, cornerback Chris Johnson, edge rusher Chop Robinson, and even quarterback Malik Willis did not make Barnwell's list. For Achane, it makes some sense. Running backs, especially ones making $64 million over four years, simply do not hold that kind of trade value anymore. The same logic applies to Brooks and Brewer; off-ball linebackers and centers, no matter how good they are, rarely command a first-round pick. Johnson, a recent late first-round pick himself, is a bit of an odd omission, but teams might not see him fetching the same high pick in a future draft. As for Robinson, he is a former first-round edge rusher with promise, but nearing the end of his rookie deal, it is tough to get a first-rounder for him. Willis is the biggest unknown; his value is still completely up in the air at quarterback, and no team is risking a first-round pick on that much uncertainty. So, while it is not the star-studded cast many might have imagined, Barnwell's projection shines a light on Paul, Proctor, and Grant as the real, unexpected assets in Miami's ongoing rebuild. It will be fascinating to watch how these three develop and if their perceived sky-high upside truly translates into that kind of value as Miami continues to reshape its roster.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.