The Miami Dolphins have torn it all down, stripped down the house to the bolts and screws. GM Jon-Eric Sullivan is remaking the roster to what he feels is a winning formula. WR Jaylen Waddle was traded this week to the Denver Broncos for 2 draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, RD 1 #30, RD 3 #94, and then the Dolphins swapped RD 4 #111 with the Broncos RD 3 #130, so we move back 19 picks in RD 4. I think that’s excellent value for a WR in today’s NFL, especially with what Waddle has done, mostly as the #2 option while WR Tyreek Hill was here. Forget about what the draft capital former GM Chris Grier used to acquire Waddle, RD 1 Pick #12, RD 4 Pick #123, and 2022 RD 1 #13. Waddle never really had a chance to to perform up to that kind of value, especially once Grier traded for Tyreek Hill. Before Hill arrived, Waddle was the #1 target, getting 140 targets for 104 receptions and 1015 yards in his rookie season. His best season was 2022, catching 75 passes for 1356 yards and 8 TD’s, with a fantastic 18.1 yards per catch average. Jaylen Waddle was a nice player for us, but never really a #1 alpha receiver, but more like Eagles WR DeVonta Smith, who has very similar numbers to Waddle. DeVonta Smith was drafted #10, no trade up for the Eagles.
So, the good news is, the Miami Dolphins go into the 2026 NFL Draft armed with 11 total picks, 7 of them in the top 94 picks,
RD1 #11, #30
RD2 #43
RD3 #75, #87, #90, #94
RD4 #130
RD5 #151
RD7 #227, #238
To be fair, the roster is pretty thin with top talent. On offense, it’s LT Patrick Paul, C Aaron Brewer and RB De’Von Achane. On defense, DT Zach Sieler and ILB Jordyn Brooks are the standouts. There’s potential for any number of players to step up, like EDGE Chop Robinson, or any of the 13 CB’s we have on the roster, or any of our young DL like Kenny Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeke Biggers. Maybe S Dante Trader steps up this season, he may get a chance with Minkah Fitzpatrick gone. Sully has created competition at nearly every position save the QB position, where Malik Willis just got paid, so don’t even think that 2nd year QB Quinn Ewers has a chance to earn the job. If we somehow draft a QB in this draft, say Drew Allar, he will be a project and won’t be legitimately competing for a job until at best next season. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have picked up Willis, but you have to be realistic that we’re paying Willis $22.33M per year, there won’t be competition at QB, but there will everywhere else, including Long Snapper.
Personally, I’m thrilled with the trade, I’m thrilled to have all those picks, and I have some high hopes that this time we have the right man, along with his scouting staff to make some hay and really improve the roster in this draft. We all know too well we had a similar situation in 2020 with then GM Chris Grier, and boy did we ruin that opportunity. Some will say Tua was successful, but while OG Robert Hunt had a nice rookie contract for the Dolphins, Chris Grier failed to keep him in Miami, and really, he was the best of the draft picks year after year. RT Austin Jackson is still with the team, but he has had an uneven career, missing way too many games over 3 seasons with injuries. Jackson missed 15 games in 2022, 9 games in 2024, and 11 games in 2025, for a grand total of 35 games. Jackson has a tenuous hold on the RT position at the moment before the 2026 NFL draft. My guess is this his final year with the team. In other words, after the 2026 season, not ONE PLAYER from the infamous 2020 NFL Draft with eleven picks will be on our roster in 2027. We have exactly the same amount of picks in 2026, distributed quite differently I might add, we had three 1st RD picks, Tua, Jackson and Igbinoghene, and then RD 2 as I mentioned the star of the draft, Robert Hunt. Think of how things could have been different if we allocated the money to sign Robert Hunt instead of handing it over to QB Tua Tagovailoa. Haunting mistake, and probably one of the biggest contributors as to why Chris Grier is no longer here.
If you look at the mock drafts now, lazily most of them have us taking a WR with Pick #11. I won’t scream, but I would be shocked if we do. I do believe Sully will build the trenches, or the pass defense first, so that means EDGE or CB. We desperately need both, and if the departure of Waddle doesn’t show you what Sully’s priority is, then I can help you, it’s NOT Wide Receiver. We’ll take one or two, but not with those premium picks #11 or #30. We’ve been busy picking up inexpensive NFL vets like Jalen Tolbert and WR Tutu Atwell. We have young WR’s like slot WR Malik Washington and a guy who is developing WR Theo Wease. Rookie WR’s often struggle year 1, so Sully wisely picked up a couple of vets. Keep in mind we let OG James “Three snaps” Daniels go and we have OG Jonah “Two Picks” Savaiinaea who really needs to refurbish his image and his play to earn the trust of HC Jeff Hafley, so we may be looking at a couple of big interior linemen in this draft as well.
I am really looking forward to the 2026 NFL Draft, to most of us here, it’s something we look forward to each and every year just have our hopes and dreams dashed by poor choices. I think that will definitely change for the better, and I’m really optimistic that Sully and the GB way will do things the right way for a change. I know some of you will have your “Tradey-Pants” on, M, that means you. I KNOW you wanna trade up to get someone, you know it too. We have so many darn holes to fill, it wouldn’t surprise me if we do move anywhere, it will be back, not forward. Grier fell in love with certain players every year, and instead of letting the board come to him, he traded up out of fear of missing out on a certain player. What’s worse is all of those trade-ups ended being mistakes. We need HITS on so many of those 11 picks. Obviously, hitting on all of them or even most of them is unlikely, but we need I’d say 5-6 starters out of this draft, and hopefully 3-4 contributors. That might not be fair or accurate, but the state of the roster is such where we must upgrade in so many spots, namely EDGE, CB, OG, WR, TE, S, and potentially RB too if we don’t plan on giving RB De’Von Achane a big new contract. We can tag him next year to what would amount to about $15M for 2027, and it’s possible that’s what we will do, but De’Von Achane will not be happy if he doesn’t get a contract and there could be a holdout. Hopefully, De’Von doesn’t grab a bullhorn during training camp and say “Show me the money”.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
I’ve become kind of a fan of Jude Bowry the Boston College OT
my guess is he plays guard in the NFL
here’s a really interesting fact about Bowry.
he was recruited to play at BC by….Jeff Hafley, who also coached him in 2022.
so he knows him ne we know how these guys feel bout familiarity.
he might go anywhere between rounds 3 and 5, so if we are going to take a 2nd OL, I think in a lot of ways, he might be the choice
Is it a bad sign that he’s wearing knee braces on both legs?
Pigster,
Follow me here…
David Bailey isn’t likely to fall to us @ R1P11, and I highly doubt we trade up for him. So regardless of which team drafts him before us, would you purchase his jersey?!! 😉
I’m pretty sure if I buy his jersey that means, he falls to 11, and we trade away the pick
😆
MAYBE!
I think Mansoor Delane is definitely going top-10 after his Pro Day results. Can’t wait to see what Jermod McCoy does at his Pro Day on 3/31.
📈
his draft stock
Build the trenches and then start to add top skill guys.
I ask for a high price for Achane and don’t settle. He makes us a better team. Rebuilding doesn’t always mean let’s suck. We don’t sign Willis if the plan is to challenge for the #1 pick next year.
Agreed, man. However, we have enough top-100 picks to address skill positions as well.
Don’t think that with 7 picks in the top-100 that we’re only going to address the trenches with each and every pick.
See my positional breakdown up the board a bit.
Mike E.
Mike E.
The Flying Pig
12m ago
Is it a bad sign that he’s wearing knee braces on both legs?
Wife and I were mentioning that when watching the CFB playoffs .. seems ALL LINEMEN in college wear two braces , wondered if was mandated or a precautionary thing 🤔
it’s not mandated
Thank ya ..
A good prospect is going to be there at #11. There will likely be positions we need with good value available. We have nice draft capital for a new GM with cap issues. I like what Sully has done so far. Adding 2nd and 3rd tier FAs to add some veterans to the team with what is going to become a very young roster.
I think knee braces have become a precautionary thing for some guys just to give the joint more stability. Guys that big are almost always gonna end up with knee issues anyway.
I love the talk about drafting 2 OL! Anybody for 3!?!? 👍🙂
If it includes Keagen Trost, count me in for 3 O-Linemen.
I posted landing 3 OL. 😉
Interesting….maybe…lol
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tua-tagovailoa-dolphins-exit-signing-with-falcons/
M13,
Your man crushes don’t usually include OL. Usually an edge rusher. Terron Armstead may have been your last. Good for you!
You remember! Thanks! 😀
Tim,
I can’t trust ya. You always butter up the fatties only to let your eyes wander to the pretty things when we get to the nitty gritty. Lol
😂
Randy,
For whatever it may be worth, I have a ‘man-crush’ on PREGNON this Draft. Yeah, both Pregnon and Keagen Trost.
M13,
There seems to be a lot of quality at the OL positions this year. Good time to bring in some young talent.
So new stuff coming out that Waddle wanted out. I’m happy for him because I wanted him out too. I’m glad we got a 1st RD and 3rd RD pick in return for him, he’ll have his shot to win in Denver now, and we got a good return for him. WIN-WIN
If so, I don’t blame him for not wanting to be part of a rebuild. Yeah, I think we got good compensation also.
It didn’t matter to me either way, but I always want the picks if we can get them. I was never that high on Waddle, and I feel there are “Waddles” in every draft, and not just in the top 10 or 15 either.
Oh, and as far as Tua, I’m so glad that fucking pussy is off this team.
https://x.com/DolphinsMuse/status/2036649294522945700?s=20
I can’t for the life of me understand how Dolphins fans could like this guy. What about him is likable? He whined and bitched for money and got it, and then went off a cliff and played awful football, and every chance he got, he blamed either his teammates or his coaches. What about any of that would make a fan like him?
I know it doesn’t matter at this point, but I never wanted him from the start. I even said so on here. I rooted for him because he was a Dolphin, but he was damaged coming out, and I felt it was just a matter of time before injuries would set in again. I didn’t predict the concussions, though. That was scary!!!!
I was initially going to post this about WR Bryce Lance but it’s a 2 for 1 video because all the throws are by QB Cole Payton.
I knew Cole Payton was a good running QB. I didn’t know his arm talent was this good. He has some great ball placement on a good number of these throws. I like Cole Payton a lot.
Almost all the throws
Yea, after the Senior Bowl and watching some tape, he clearly became my #3 QB in this draft. Late 3rd or 4th is probably a good value range for him.
I’m so glad this team got the deep cleansing it needed. The lack of true leadership was profound with guys like MM, Tua and Hill leading the way. I wish we’d gone a little further, but it’s been a somewhat refreshing start. The stank is drifting away on the chem trails! Lol
LOL!
yeah, lol at the Home reference
I have to admit, I’m eating up everything Sully is saying and doing. I never thought this team was remotely close with the way the team was constructed. I just hate teams built around high-priced WRs. Running the ball, playing good defense, and having a QB that can make some plays when needed are more to my liking. This new GM is exactly the kind of guy I wanted; I just hope all my excitement and praise doesn’t come back and bite me in the ass.
Rich – It’s not about his play, at least before the injuries, that bothers me. It was his play, his shitty attitude that he had by taking zero responsibility for anything, it was his teammates fault or the coaches fault. MM bent over backwards and more to welcome Tua and designed the offense to keep him safe. Then his body fell apart and his arm was a wet noodle, but instead of retiring for his own good and the team’s, he kept playing (like ass), and decided he wasn’t going to ever put himself in harms way again. he would run backwards and lose 15 yards rather than take a chance of getting hit, slide 2 yards early when we needed the first down, and he would pop up and celebrate like we won the SB. There’s nothing to like about any of that. At pressers he threw his teammates under the bus, complained about the coach who nurtured him like a baby. I know M doesn’t like this but I hate him. I hope he sucks ass in Atlanta!
Oh, I definitely hear you, and I agree 100%.
@AdamSchefter
Dolphins are signing former Falcons free-agent linebacker Ronnie Harrison to a oneayear deal, per source.
Wasn’t he a former safety? Wonder what position he will be playing, LB or a SS type.
Also, if LB, could Brooks be on the move???
Either way, he’s a good cover LB to have on 3rd and long. Still not part of the future though at 29yo.
Yea, after the Senior Bowl and watching some tape, he clearly became my #3 QB in this draft. Late 3rd or 4th is probably a good value range for him.
————
Rich, I agree on Payton.
The second punter they signed, Bradley Pinion, got a 100% guaranteed contract. I guess the other punter is just camp fodder now.
Skyler Bell with an awesome Pro Day
https://phinphanatic.com/wide-receiver-explodes-onto-miami-dolphins-draft-radar-with-phenomenal-pro-day-01kmjxjy6n0a
I like him but he will already be 24yo by the time training camp starts. His career drop rate of 9.8% of uncontested balls is alarming. He did improve to a 7.2% drop rate last season but that is still not good.
A solid addition imo. He gives some veteran presence for all the young guys coming in. I agree; he’s not in the long-term plan but is good for a year or two.
I’ve been playing around with mock drafts today, drafting 2 EDGE players with our first 3 picks. I’ve even had Bain and Bailey each fall to me once at #11 while also drafting Malachi Lawrence at #43.
I don’t think anybody has a clear idea of who the top 10 picks will be. Maybe 5 or 6 players are locks, but the other 4 or 5 picks are up in the air at this point. While I know it’s unlikely that Bain falls to us at #11, if he does, you’d have to pull the trigger. Also, add me to the list of people that don’t care about his arm length.
Yeah, I have been a harsh critic on Bain. Though, for me, it seemed like a stamina thing. I have no concern for the arm length. I have watched more of him lately and I would take him at 11 now. Dude is so powerful.
The thing about Skylar Bell for me, is he is just maybe a slight upgrade over Malik Washington. In bell you get a little more height and a little more top end speed.
Washington – 4.47 forty, 1.53 split, 3cone 6.82, 20yd shuttle 4.26, 42.5″ vertical, 10’6″ broad.
Bell – 4.40 forty, 1.53 split, 3cone 6.65, 20rd shuttle 4.11, 41″ vertical, 11’1″ broad.
When I read up on him the common knock was he struggles vs press coverage and would need to play mostly slot. That is why I was comparing him to Malik.
I would rather draft something we don’t already have. If all we needed was a to add a complimentary WR, I would be all for Bell on day 3.
LOL at the writer for Phinphanatic acting like Bell is the answer. Those guys over there need to get laid more. They get a boner too easily. lol
BBM sometimes likes to give 5 cents instead of 2 cents. LOL
Yea, I’d rather go after Cooper or Concepcion as our possible #1 or at least our #2 WR on the roster. Also, a guy like Hurst or Lance later in the 3rd or 4th round.
I would much prefer Hurst or Lance over Bell in that 3rd round range who would be true boundary WR’s.
Rich, the question I have is the Ronnie Harrison signing a sign that a Brooks trade is looming?
I mean, they had 5 ILB’s on the roster, now 6 ILB’s. Are they changing the D and need more LB’s or is Harrison a bridge and we trade brooks and draft one?
I think Kyle Crabbs is on to something with a possible Brooks trade. I think Sully and Dallas have been talking, and if something happens, Dallas is probably the most likely team.
Could be. It will be interesting as Dallas doesn’t have a 2nd round pick and Brooks trade value is around pick 54.
He actually addressed that. He proposed a trade with Brooks and our #30 pick overall going to Dallas for their #20 pick overall and a 3rd round pick #92
I think an even more interesting situation is Achane. He will get paid; the question is, will it be Miami or another team? Honestly, I have no idea, but I really do like Achane.
Same
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami makes a lot of sense for us. Compete with Jackson at RT or RG and eventually settling in as a starter with Brewer handling the center and Paul at LT. We’ll see if Jonah joins the competition with a new regime.
He would be a stud RG.
yep. Then evaluate and see how he would fit in the NFL at RT when Jackson leaves the following year.
There would be nothing wrong with that pick.
https://x.com/davehydesports/status/2036891592972177723?s=20
Tua getting hammered by the FLA media, and deservedly so. He’s all class. LOW CLASS!
The NFL is going to kickoff the season with Wednesday Night Football on 9 September. Seahawks will be at home vs an opponent not yet released.
That will be followed up with Thursday Night Football on 10 September in Australia with 49er’s vs Rams.
They can’t help themselves. Soon there will be games every day of the week
Mike E.
says:
March 25, 2026 at 1:42 pm
…I know M doesn’t like this but I hate him. I hope he sucks ass in Atlanta!
————-
I just heard Tua’s comments… VERY unprofessional on his part. He’s insinuating that Capri McD was the major problem, after Capri McD did EVERYTHING under the sun to help him… including lobbying for him to get his PAYDAY. That’s outright DISRESPECT coming from Tua, SMH. 😡
To be absolutely CERTAIN, I don’t view Tua the same way I once had after hearing these most recent comments.
HATE is a very strong word, and I try my best to abstain from such negative emotion that consumes one. Thus, I don’t hate Tua. Extraordinarily disappointed is more of how I feel. And YES… I, too, hope he sucks ass in Atlanta! He can fuck all the way off, but hate is too strong for me.
it’s ok, his generationally wealthy family loves him
Like Grier and MM, I have no interest in anything he does for the rest of his career. He was the 4th stooge, imo, with Ross, Grier, and MM being the original three.
I’ve been wrong plenty of times before, but I just don’t see how Jonah makes it as a starting OL in the NFL. The last time I felt this strongly about an OL we drafted was Jonathan Martin.
I agree. It’s unlikely he’ll be a starter for us in the future, but I do hope I’m wrong.
Brian, I feel the same. I concentrated on him so much last year that it sickened me. He was clueless most of the season.
Ya really don’t want to arrive at a definitive conclusion on a guy who played out of his natty position in the NFL as a rook… but I get it as it pertains to Big Jonah.
I mean, he played between Darth Paul and Brew, and he really looked like a turd. He got better late in the season, but he still looked like a turd.
Rookie jitters? Played out of his natty position? Does he just suck? I dunno, but it’s too early to throw the towel in on him.
I’d place him back at RG and see if he can take off from there. If he doesn’t bite as 2nd-year pup, I think ya gotta flush the turd. JMO
Tim Knight
says:
March 25, 2026 at 6:04 pm
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami makes a lot of sense for us. Compete with Jackson at RT or RG and eventually settling in as a starter with Brewer handling the center and Paul at LT. We’ll see if Jonah joins the competition with a new regime.
————
Only one problem regarding Francis Mauigoa… he’s projected by most to go in the top-10 and likely won’t be available to us.
IF he falls to us, I can see us drafting him. He’d be a very solid selection for us, IMO.
M – hate isn’t that big a deal. If you say you can’t stand someone it’s pretty much the same thing. I don’t hope he dies or anything but if he really sucks in Atlanta I’d be overjoyed to see it. Maybe I just use the word hate too loosely
I hear ya, man. I’d be overjoyed to see him suck in Atlanta too. He’s so unclassy for those comments.
I can confidently say I hate the Jets and the Bills, definitely hate the Jets more
LOL, and I hear that! Though as of late, the Bills are really on my shit list.
It’s very strange, but between Grier, MM and Tua, I’ve come to hate the team way more than the Jets, Bills or Patriots. I don’t hate the Pats and Bills fir being better, I hate us for NOT being better. Hoping Sully and Haf change that. As far as the Jets are concerned, I commiserate well with them because we’ve both been so embarrassing
You mentioned Grier, MM, and Tua… but you forgot the one who keeps delivering us a shit sandwich since 2009… Steve Ross.
I’m sorry, but IMO, it begins and ends with the owner.
I can see it now, as clear as day… a t-shirt that reads…
Established in 2009, the original Miami “SHIT SANDWICH”! With a big puss shot of Steve Ross! 😆
You’re not wrong. He means well, and would spend any amount if money to win a Super Bowl, but he can’t seem to stay out of the way. Hopefully Sully and Haf can getter done!
Amen, Mike E!
I realize Steve Ross means well and has tried very hard… that’s really not lost on me. He $pend$ as much — if not more — as any owner in the NFL.
He just can’t seem to land the right people.
I’m with ya: I hope Sully and Haf are the right peeps to get the job done. IMO? So far, so good!
Gotta run for the night. Have a good one, Mike E! Tomorrow, Brother!
G’nite M!
M – Sure you’ve heard about it, the protests in Philly. Absolutely disgusting that Americans have to endure this bullshit. I’m not talking about arresting them, that would be too kind, I’m talking about something quite a bit more violent than that.
OL Francis Mauigoa and DL Kayden McDonald are my two favorite prospects for our new Phins. Become the bully don’t get bullied. It reminds me of the Eagles. Tough on the LOS on both sides of the ball, and we’ll figure out the skill positions.