The Dolphins have finally finished their miserable 2025-2026 season with a 7-10 record and the 11th pick. Now that it is over, they have fired their GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel and have hired Jon-Eric Sullivan to be their GM and have hired Jeff Hafley to be their head coach. Though I briefly covered a rebuild in my other Dolphins article, things have changed. With that being said, here is my in-depth blueprint for a Miami Dolphins rebuild, in which should last 2-3 years.
What to do with Them?
Now it is time to address the elephant in the room, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, and WR Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins seem to be done with Tua and Tua said it would “be dope” if he got a fresh start somewhere else. However, Tua will have no good value as he is an injury prone QB who can’t play in the cold. So unfortunately, the Dolphins will have to cut him. Regarding Hill, I doubt he is going to retire which leaves the Dolphins in a situation. He is too valuable to cut but I don’t think a team would be willing to trade for him. But, I thought and maybe a team could trade for him for his veteran experience. The trade I came up with is:
TEN: Tyreek Hill, 2027 Fifth Round Pick
MIA: 2028 Fourth Round Pick
Cam Ward had a good rookie season for what he was given. Sure, Hill will be out half the year due to his horrific injury vs. the Jets on MNF, but once he gets back on that field I think he will be Cam’s favorite weapon. Additionally, a sixth-round pick seems reasonable for an aging star and with the added pick.
The 2026 Draft
the Dolphins will have the #11th, #43rd, #75th, #87th, #90th, #111st, #150th, and the #227th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But to keep this article short, I will be focusing on the first four.
Regarding the 11th pick, I think Miami should trade it. All of my first round targets will be off the board by Miami’s pick so the next best option is to secure draft capital for the 2027 NFL Draft. I propose a trade to a team who needs defense and has a late pick:
BAL: 11th pick, 2027 Second Round pick
MIA: 2027 First Round Pick
Baltimore needs defense badly and this is a defensive heavy draft. At #11, they can draft someone like Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU) or Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State), both amazing defensive tools. Positively, the Ravens maintain their first round pick but have to surrender their 2027 first rounder to Miami.
#43 Overall Pick: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU / Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
With safety Minkah Fitzpatrick probably on the go soon, the Dolphins need to find another answer at safety. A.J. has recorded two plus interceptions in three of his four years at college. A.J. is known to be a hard-hitting safety and the Dolphins could use that toughness not only to bring down defenders, but to establish a culture in Miami as the culture right now is not the best. However, A.J. Haulcy might not fall this far to Miami. So, the second option is Kamari Ramsey. Ramsey has the same physicality as A.J. and can read plays with his IQ. Lastly, he can also play up at the line of scrimmage for blitzes and run support, showing his versatility.
#75 Overall Pick: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
I think the dolphins continue to bolster their defense. Igbinosun is speedy, run- stopping corner, does great in zone coverage, and competes with 50/50 balls well. However, his man coverage isn’t the best as he can get grabby and relies on speed. Also, by looking at reports and film, I feel like he should be able to get some interceptions on some balls thrown to him.
#87 Overall Pick Darrell Jackson JR, DT, Florida State
My final pick goes to a defensive tackle. Jackson does a really great job at stopping the run and Miami ranked 26th in rushing defense. Darrell could be a hidden gem, and Miami should definitely take him at 87.
2026 Free Agency?
The problem of free agency is that the dolphins have no cap space to make any moves in 2026 due to the Tua dead cap. So, whatever the dolphins can get through the draft will have to do and they should try restructuring Bradley Chubb‘s contract, and by trading Hill post June 1st so hopefully Miami can resign someone they need like Jake Bailey, our punter.
2026-2027 Season
Now, this Dolphins team for the 2026-2027 season is still very flawed. This rebuild won’t take just one year like any other rebuild. I suspect the Dolphins finish at around 3-14 because they have one of the hardest schedules in the NFL. This will allow them to have a very high pick for a QB heavy 2027 NFL Draft.
The 2026-2027 Trade Deadline
During this disastrous season I think the Dolphins should make multiple trades to add trade picks for a stacked 2027 draft. First, I purpose a trade to the New Orleans Saints to help their run game as Tyler Shough continues to improve.
NO: Devon Achane
MIA: 2027 First Round Pick, 2028 First Round Pick, 2027 Second Round Pick
I know it might seem a little crazy to trade Achane, but I really think the Dolphins need to clear house and they can use this draft capital to draft Achane’s replacement. For the Saints, they can add their franchise RB to pair up with Kamara and Shough. However, the Dolphins aren’t done yet. Trade #2 purposes a trade to a team who had the worst pass defense in the league but had a top offense. Here is my purposal to Dallas to get them a better safety option.
DAL: Minkah Fitzpatrick
MIA: 2028 Third Round Pick
I think this is a steep price for a 30-year-old safety, but I think this would be a good trade as Dallas will look to improve defensively through the draft and maybe even through trade. Also, keep in mind that this is mid-season so if Minkah has a good 2026, he can add value. Finally, the Dolphins should make one last move to secure more 2027 draft capital.
LAC: Austin Jackson, Jaylen Waddle
MIA: 2027 First Round Pick
The Chargers’ obvious glaring problem is a supporting cast for Justin Herbert, and this trade would complete that with Austin Jackson, a good o-line man when on the field, and Jaylen Waddle a 1000+ yard receiver that can be the WR1 in LA. For Miami, they get their third 2027 first round pick.
2027 Draft
The Dolphins, in an absolute stacked class, get to have 3 top 32 picks. With their own pick, they need to draft their franchise QB. They have plenty of options: Arch Manning (Texas), Darian Mensah (Duke), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Sam Leavitt (LSU), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), and CJ Bailey (NC State). Any of those six could do. We will also revisit these QB’s when the 2027 draft gets closer. With the three remaining first rounders, the Dolphins will need to round out the offense by drafting an RB and WR like Kewan Lacy (RB, Ole Miss) and maybe even Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State) if they get lucky.
2027 Free Agency
For one of the last steps, the Dolphins will have plenty of cap space for the 2027 Free Agency period. First things first, the Dolphins should resign Tyrel Dodson for 2/12M (years/money (in millions (M))) and 5M guaranteed and on top of that resign Storm Duck for 3/12M for 3M guaranteed. The Dolphins should additionally franchise tag Theo Wease JR. Now looking at free agents, the Dolphins should sign Marlon Humphrey, a corner who is currently with Baltimore and is consistent. 3/20M and 16.5M guaranteed. Continuing on the defense, the Dolphins should sign Derwin James, a safety from LA to pair him up with either A.J. Haulcy or Kamari Ramsey. 2/18M and 8M guaranteed.
Conclusion
In this article, I have laid out a complete rebuild that includes clearing almost everything and everyone. Sure, there are some weak spots like in the guard position and maybe even the d-line, but I think through the second round of the 2027 NFL draft and more free agencies that won’t be a problem.
