Dolphins Should Take the Best Player Available In the Draft
With a 2-7 record heading into November, it already seems like this Dolphins season is lost.
Chris Grier, the general manager, has already been fired, and with a couple more bad losses, Mike McDaniel might be on the way out soon, too.
I realize this team still has eight games left to play, but let’s face it, it is time to start peeking ahead at the draft.
Thankfully, Miami’s next GM should have plenty of draft capital with the team already having nine selections and possibly more on the way courtesy of trades at this year’s deadline.
Typically, teams at the top of the draft secure their franchise quarterback, with possible players such as Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, and Dante Moore being the “guys” in this year’s crop.
Normally, I would agree with the Dolphins, who surely will have a top-five pick, taking a quarterback with their first selection.
But this year, I actually think going a different route would be better for the franchise.
Miami should eschew a quarterback and take the best player available.
Heading into 2026, Miami will be undergoing a pretty drastic roster purge with veterans such as Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Rasul Douglas, and Austin Jackson likely on the way out.
Then, you have to consider the possibility of other players, such as Jaylen Waddle, Zach Sieler, Jordyn Brooks, Tua Tagovailoa, Tyrel Dodson, and Aaron Brewer, also being gone.
That is over half of the team’s starters from 2025 potentially being gone by next season.
And that is not even counting some players who play rotational roles as part of the 53-man roster.
With a talent drain like that and limited salary cap space to add talented veterans, the 2026 season could be very similar to the 2019 season.
In other words, it will be painful.
The Dolphins will likely have two straight years of picking in the top five, and with so many holes on the roster, the team will need to build from the ground up.
In this case, it will not be ready for a rookie quarterback to shine, as they will likely not have the talent around them to succeed, which will drastically hinder their development and confidence.
I think Miami would be better off adding someone like Caleb Downs, Spencer Fano, or Rueben Bain with their first selection to just add the best talent available.
They should do the same with their second and three third round picks.
This team will not be competitive in 2026, so why rush it?
Miami will be in the same spot in 2027, and they can grab their franchise quarterback then.
The difference in 2027 is that they will have two years with high draft picks and a loaded free-agent class alongside them.
That should set up the team for long-term sustained success.
