Dolphins meeting with top ball-hawking DB prospect ahead of NFL draft
The Dolphins have brought in a few veteran defensive backs this offseason. However, an intriguing prospect in the 2026 NFL draft could be a great fit.
This offseason, the Miami Dolphins have completely overhauled their secondary, as they've moved on from Minkah Fitzpatrick, Kader Kohou, Elijah Campbell, Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas, Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Artie Burns and Kendall Sheffield. In free agency, they brought Darrell Baker, Alex Austin, Lonnie Johnson, Marco Wilson, Ronnie Harrison and Zayne Anderson to fill those holes. However, that might not be the end.
Miami is reportedly speaking to several defensive back prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, including Hezekiah Masses. Masses was a three-star recruit out of Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, Florida, before enrolling at FIU in 2022 and transferring to the University of California for his final season in 2025. In 49 games between the two schools, Masses recorded 152 tackles, 25 passes defensed (including an impressive 13 in 2025), seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.
While Masses lined up at cornerback for most of his snaps, he also spent some time as a box safety (232 snaps over four years). At this point in the process, Masses is seen as a mid-round pick and is expected to go sometime on Day 3 of this year's draft. With cornerback being such a big need, the Dolphins should try to address the position in an earlier round, but that shouldn't stop them from grabbing Masses as well.
More Dolphins: Dolphins identified as a top landing spot for disgruntled star WR This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Dolphins meeting with top ball-hawking DB prospect