The Miami Dolphins are diving into the 2026 season with a record amount of dead money, carrying more veteran minimum contracts than any other NFL team. It's a situation that might not inspire fear in their opponents, and the latest odds reflect that sentiment, placing the Dolphins at the bottom of the league. It's a tough pill for fans to swallow, but perhaps not entirely unexpected.
According to a prominent betting site, the Dolphins' over/under for wins this season is set at 4.5. With such low expectations, the pressure might be on General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to rethink his draft strategy, especially his promise to draft a quarterback every season.
The numbers don't lie. The Dolphins have gaps across the board, and the quarterback position isn't exempt from scrutiny.
This could mean another top-three draft pick in 2027. So, should Sullivan use a draft pick on a quarterback this year?
With Malik Willis and Quinn Ewers ready to step up, and Cam Miller as a backup, the Dolphins might be better off focusing on other areas of need.
Why draft a quarterback who won't see the field and isn't the future face of the franchise? With expectations pointing toward another challenging season, Miami could be eyeing the top picks in 2027. That year's quarterback class is anticipated to be one of the strongest in a decade.
Holding the potential number one overall pick in 2027, the Dolphins can't afford to miss out on a franchise-level QB. While a player like Drew Allar might be tempting this year, the smarter play could be waiting for a top-five pick next year to secure a game-changing talent.
A 4.5-win projection might even be generous, considering Miami's daunting strength-of-schedule. Even a stellar rookie class would struggle to turn them into contenders overnight. If they manage to exceed expectations and win more than five to seven games, Coach Jeff Hafley and Sullivan could find themselves in the running for Coach and Executive of the Year, respectively.
Dolphins fans have been yearning for meaningful change, and this offseason has shown signs of it. The 2019 rebuild didn't pan out, but Sullivan's moves, given the challenging roster he inherited, have been commendable. Whether he's the long-term solution remains to be seen, but his efforts are a step in the right direction.