This offseason has just started, but it’s off to one of the most dynamic starts in recent history with superstars like Trent McDuffie, Mike Evans, DJ Moore, and Kenneth Walker II all being traded or finding new homes. But not all teams are making moves to try to push their squad towards contention. The Miami Dolphins aren’t just rebuilding, they’re attempting one of the most aggressive tank jobs in NFL history.

 

It’s no secret that the 2027 NFL draft is loaded with quarterback talent. Set to feature names like Julian Sayin (OSU), Dante Moore (Oregon), Arch Manning (Texas), LaNorris Sellers (USC), and more, it’s one of the deepest classes ever from top to bottom. The top end talent is undeniable, and the Dolphins seem to be doing everything in their power to make sure they have their first choice of signal caller when the draft starts. 

 

Historically, this is the path towards building a true contender. Teams ascend through talented young quarterbacks on team-friendly deals, but will it work for the Dolphins?

 

Rebuilding teams often have low cap hits due to the lack of stars on their rosters, but the Dolphins are currently dealing with the worst cap situation in NFL history. The current salary cap is a touch over $300 million and the Dolphins are paying over $165 million to players who no longer work for the team. To put it into context, the 2022 Chicago Bears had $91 million in dead cap which was $10 million under 50% of the total salary cap. The Dolphins are paying more than that ($99 million) to Tua Tagovailoa by himself!

 

Rebuilding teams also usually deal with roster holes as they recover from the loss of their aging, expensive stars. The Dolphins, true to form, have many. They’ve been active over the offseason, signing over twenty free agents, but their only high profile move has been guaranteeing $45 million to Malik Willis – an injury prone quarterback with a 3-3 record as a starter who’s thrown 6 touchdowns to three interceptions in his career. Additionally, a wide receiver room that used to boast one of the league’s best duos in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is now headlined by Tutu Atwell (Rams) and Jalen Tolbert (Cowboys). A far departure from the group that took Tua to two Pro Bowls, this squad doesn’t have anything close to a high end starter.

 

Now, this kind of teardown is painful, but it’s one of the few ways to move from mediocrity towards consistent postseason contention. That being said, there is always a risk involved. While the Dolphins never reached their postseason goals with Tua, their roster was talented enough to take them into the postseason over the next few years. Instead, they are moving forward with a low-powered roster and rookies at the Head Coach and General Manager roles. 

 

Every draft and pick is an important moment in determining the future of the franchise, but not all drafts are created equal. For Jeff Hafley and Jon Eric-Sullivan, nailing these next few drafts will be crucial in determining the direction of the team. We’ve seen highly drafted players like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow instantly raise the ceilings of their teams, dragging them far into the postseason early in their careers. But we’ve also seen teams “miss” on players like Sam Darnold, only for those players to succeed in properly managed environments. The question isn’t just “Can I draft a talented player?”, it’s also “Can I create a winning culture and surroundings that allows my talented player to succeed?”. Obviously the offseason has only just started and although there is always much ado about the start of legal tampering, the Dolphins still have ample time to make good moves.

 

However, the Dolphins tore down a roster fully capable of making the playoffs when healthy. This is a big move, and it could pay off in the biggest way. Or it could take a solid team and put them squarely in the league’s basement where they’d be hanging out with their division rival, the Jets. If they’re right, the Dolphins could build a dynasty that’ll turn the AFC East into a true gauntlet for a decade. If they’re wrong, this won’t be a rebuild, it’ll be a reset that costs them years.