The Miami Dolphins are staring down a pivotal offseason, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a 6-9 record and a pair of back-to-back losses fresh in the rearview mirror, the franchise is clearly feeling the pressure. The recent firing of longtime general manager Chris Grier in October signaled that change is already underway, and head coach Mike McDaniel is firmly in the spotlight as the organization looks for answers.
But it’s not just the front office under scrutiny - quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, once viewed as the centerpiece of Miami’s future, is now at the center of a quarterback controversy that’s hard to ignore. Despite signing a massive four-year, $212 million extension, Tagovailoa was recently dropped to third on the depth chart.
Around the league, that move raised eyebrows. It’s being read not just as a performance-based decision, but potentially as a message - one that suggests McDaniel is trying to prove his adaptability to whoever takes over in the front office.
In short: jobs are on the line, and bold moves may be coming.
Enter the draft buzz.
Analyst Gordon McGuinness from Pro Football Focus has floated a scenario that would completely reshape Miami’s trajectory. In his latest mock draft, McGuinness predicts the Dolphins could make a blockbuster move to trade up for the No. 1 overall pick - with their sights set on Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
The New York Giants currently hold that top pick, but with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart showing enough promise to quiet any QB concerns, they might be open for business. That opens the door for a team like Miami, desperate for a franchise reset under center.
The cost? According to the projection, it’s steep: the Dolphins would need to send the No. 10 and No. 44 picks in this year’s draft, plus a first- and second-rounder in 2027.
In return, they’d get the top pick - and the chance to bring Mendoza to South Beach.
Let’s talk about Mendoza for a moment. At 6-foot-5, he’s not just a prototypical NFL passer - he’s the kind of quarterback who checks every box scouts look for.
He threw for 2,980 yards this season and still has the Rose Bowl to play on New Year’s Day. His numbers pop off the page: a 6.2% big-time throw rate paired with just a 2.3% turnover-worthy play rate.
Those are elite-level metrics, and they stack up well against recent top picks like Cam Ward and Caleb Williams. Simply put, Mendoza is the crown jewel of this quarterback class.
And with Tagovailoa benched, the Dolphins’ interest in a new QB isn’t exactly a secret. McGuinness put it bluntly: “It’s obvious Miami is in the market for a new quarterback,” he wrote. “In this mock draft, they get aggressive to move up for one.”
Still, the Dolphins aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket just yet. Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers got his first career start in Week 16 against Cincinnati.
While the box score was mixed - 20 completions on 30 attempts for 260 yards and two interceptions - there were flashes of poise and command that caught the eye. Miami has already named Ewers the starter for the final two games of the season, giving him a real shot to show what he can do with extended reps.
The front office is watching closely. If Ewers makes a strong case, he could complicate the quarterback conversation heading into the offseason. But if questions linger - and let’s be honest, they probably will - the Dolphins may not hesitate to swing big.
Trading up for Fernando Mendoza would be a franchise-altering move. It would send a clear message: Miami is done waiting. The Dolphins want a quarterback who can lead them into the next era, and they might be willing to pay a premium to get him.