Several members of the Miami Dolphins player personnel staff discussed their daily responsibilities, career paths, draft preparation and team-building process with Travis Wingfield ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The interviews took place at the Baptist Health Training Complex on April 20, 2026, with the department working under the direction of General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Director of College Scouting Matt Winston said the department takes a long-term approach to its reports. He said the evaluations can support preseason scouting, waiver-wire decisions and future free agency work.
“You always want to be thinking four or five years down the road. Even though we’re only drafting 11 guys this year, our reports will be used this August when we’re in preseason scouting, because then we’ll be monitoring the waiver wire there and trying to improve the team however we can from players on other rosters. And we’ll use the backgrounds that we’ve acquired through this process. And even going forward every year in free agency, we’re always referencing the college backgrounds as a starting point.”
Player Personnel Scout Devon Smith said character is a non-negotiable part of evaluating potential players. He cited the qualities of being smart, tough, competitive and loving football as traits the Miami Dolphins want to build their team around.
College Scout Grant Wallace emphasized the importance of watching complete game film and evaluating players in person. National Scout Nathan Trott described a working environment built on mutual respect and open expression of opinions.
“I think, at the end of the day, it’s about respect. We all respect each other. We all respect the work that we’ve all put in. And I think Sully and Kyle (Smith) have just created a great environment for us to feel like we can be open and express our opinions.”
Miami Dolphins personnel staff members followed different paths
Senior National Scout Ron Brockington said Dick Haley mentored him early in his personnel career with the New York Jets. Brockington said he wanted to remain involved in football after playing and determined that coaching was not the right path for him.
Director of Scouting Operations Minh Luu said he began in football through an internship opportunity with the Orlando Predators of the Arena League. The internship initially involved game-day operations, but Luu pursued an opportunity on the football side.
Senior Scout Chase Leshin said his early work with the Miami Dolphins involved equipment and learning about locker-room operations and the practice field. He said the experience helped him understand how a locker room was built and exposed him to different personalities and leadership.
Miami Dolphins personnel department works under Jon-Eric Sullivan
Assistant General Manager Kyle Smith said he and Sullivan developed a professional relationship while working with other organizations. Smith said they shared a vision and eventually joined forces with the Miami Dolphins.
College Scout Ricky Seale said Sullivan gives staff members the opportunity to present their views while recognizing that Sullivan is the general manager. College Scout Matt Leitch said Sullivan has combined elements of the Green Bay Packers’ methods with his own approach and clearly communicates his expectations.
The interviews detailed the Miami Dolphins’ 2026 NFL Draft preparation, including full-game film study, in-person evaluations, character assessment and reports that can remain useful beyond the draft.
Source: Original report