Malik Willis’ Dolphins debut didn’t answer the biggest question hanging over Miami, and that’s exactly why the quarterback conversation is already drifting toward 2027.
Willis was fine on Sunday. There were encouraging moments, some rough ones, and a lot left unresolved.
What he didn’t do was prove he’s the long-term fix for the Dolphins’ franchise quarterback issue. And because of that, the idea of Miami chasing a QB at the top of the draft is still very much alive.
That uncertainty showed up quickly in Todd McShay’s first “way too early” 2027 mock draft, which he released only days after Week 1 ended. McShay has Miami sitting in position to pick first overall, and with that slot comes Arch Manning headed to South Beach.
For now, the Dolphins’ quarterback search remains the center of the conversation around the team. Jon-Eric Sullivan will be under heavy scrutiny once the season is over, especially after a massive reset that included moving on from overpaid players and absorbing $186 million in dead cap space. The expectation in the source is blunt: Miami isn’t going to win a lot of games, which keeps the first overall pick in play.
Willis’ play this season may or may not be enough to push Sullivan toward another direction, but that’s the pressure point here. Every path carries consequences, and whichever way Sullivan goes will end up defining him. Manning isn’t the only name in the mix, either.
Some in draft circles believe Oregon’s Dante Moore is the better answer. Others are highest on LaNorris Sellars. McShay, though, lands on Manning as the quarterback he’d take.
If Miami does end up with the No. 1 pick, Sullivan could also choose to move it and stockpile picks instead. In a class like this, and with Manning projected as that “gold standard,” the Dolphins could command a massive return.
The Jets and Browns both own multiple first-round picks next year, and both are looking for a franchise quarterback. A deal with a division rival would be unlikely, but Cleveland could be in position to make a run at it.
Of course, this is all still speculation. There are 16 games left before the picture gets clearer, both for the top of the draft order and for which college quarterbacks separate themselves over the course of the season.
In Other News...
Dolphins Young Defenders Earned Respect Even After That Raiders Loss
Even in the disappointment of a loss to the Raiders, there were signs the Dolphins young defensive pieces are starting to draw notice around the league. On a micd-up clip, Kirk Cousins was heard praising rookie Jacob Rodriguez and safety Michael Taaffe for the way they played, a small but telling reminder that Miamis younger defenders are beginning to stand out for reasons beyond the final score. Rodriguez, in particular, drew attention for handling the green dot in his first NFL start, a responsibility that usually comes with plenty of trust from the coaching staff and plenty of eyes on the player wearing it.
There was also acknowledgment of Malik Williss continued improvement, another nod to the growing attention some of these players are earning as the season moves on. For Miami, Jeff Hafleys comments about team performance still frame the bigger picture, especially with the 49ers coming up next, but the takeaway from the Raiders game is hard to miss: even in a loss, the Dolphins have defenders who are starting to earn respect in real time. [Read more 🡒]
How Much Of Florida Gets The Dolphins Game This Week
The Dolphins trip to face the 49ers on Sunday will be one of those regional FOX broadcasts that leaves plenty of fans checking their local listings before kickoff. In Florida, the game is set to be carried mainly in the southern part of the state, while other pockets of the western United States will also get the matchup as part of FOXs Sunday slate.
For Miami fans elsewhere in the state, that means the afternoon may come down to where you are watching from as much as who you are rooting for. The broadcast map is also shaped by the networks other games in the same time slot, so the full rollout will depend on which NFL matchup FOX decides to prioritize in each market. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Already Look Like A Team That Needs More Help
The Dolphins have already spent the week treating the roster like a work in progress, and the volume of changes says plenty about where things stand under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. After initial cuts, Miami claimed seven players off waivers, a clear sign the front office is still sorting through the edges of the roster and looking for help wherever it can find it.
The larger issue is that the gaps are not exactly subtle, especially up front and on defense, which is why the coming days figure to bring more churn as the Dolphins keep scanning the market. Names such as Evan Neal, Cody Ford, Azeez Ojulari and Jeff Okudah are the kind of possibilities that fit the conversation, but the bigger takeaway is simpler: this is a team that still looks like it needs more bodies, and possibly more than a few of them. [Read more 🡒]