OTF Premium Texas safety Michael Taaffe selected by Miami Dolphins in fifth round of 2026 NFL Draft

[Jeff Howe]

Texas safety Michael Taaffe was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the No. 158 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.

The former walk-on turned All-American put together a storybook career in Austin over the course of five years. In all, Taaffe recorded 222 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, 21 pass breakups and seven interceptions, including a pair of picks in back-to-back years against Texas A&M, fittingly enough.

Taaffe started 36 games, appearing in 53 overall. He earned Second-Team AP All-American honors for his 2024 efforts. The Austin Westlake product opted to come back for one more season in 2025 to help Texas try and get back to the College Football Playoff.

He’s the fifth Texas defensive back to be selected over the last three drafts, joining Malik Muhammad earlier in the day, Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba in 2025, and Ryan Watts in 2024.

 

Hank South contributed to this report.

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[alrightalrightalright]

Let’s go!!! Miami Longhorns

[_everyoneshere]

Quinn has snuck into the draft room and is making the picks. 

[SuperDave0805]

Taaffedaddy going to South Beach

[Alex Butler]

Good for him!! Was kind of hoping he’d go to the Uggles and play with Makuba again!!

[Ace Recruiter]

He'll also be a great emotional safety blanket for Quinn. Go get 'em Mookie!

[Austalgia]

Man, what a great story! Happy for him.  He realized his dream with hard work .