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How the Miami Dolphins Can Finally Hit the Reset Button
By: Blake Korn
Let’s be honest, we’ve heard it a hundred times: “The Dolphins need to reset.”
And yeah, that’s true. This roster is full of holes, the offense looks lifeless, and the fanbase has
flat-out had enough. Miami is getting booed off its own field almost every other drive.
The problem isn’t figuring out if the Dolphins should rebuild, it’s figuring out how they can
realistically pull it off. Because let’s be real, you can’t just hit “reset” on Madden and wipe out
half the roster. The cap space, contracts, and timing all have to line up. So, let’s break down
exactly how Miami can reset the right way, step-by-step without turning the next five years into
another endless cycle of mediocrity.
Step One: Get Out From Under the Big Money
Before the rebuild can start, Miami’s front office needs to face reality. You can’t fix the Dolphins
overnight. Too many guys are making too much money for not enough production.
First up: Tyreek Hill - Reports have already surfaced that Miami plans to move on from him after
this season and it makes sense. Hill’s cap hit in 2026 would be a jaw dropping $51.9 million.
That’s not a typo. If the team cuts him before the deadline, they’ll eat around $28.25 million in
dead cap for two years, but honestly, that’s fine. You’re not trying to contend in a rebuild
anyway. That money isn’t doing you any good sitting on the books.
Next up: Bradley Chubb - Chubb’s contract turns into a cap nightmare in 2026, when he’s owed
over $31 million per year. If he keeps producing in 2025, Miami should absolutely trade him to a
contender before the deadline. Edge rushers are always in demand, and the Dolphins could
probably squeeze out a late first-rounder or a solid Day 2 pick for him. Those two moves alone,
cutting Hill and trading Chubb, clear a massive chunk of money and give Miami some draft
flexibility. That’s how you start a reset the right way.
The Tua Problem
Now, for the elephant in the room: Tua Tagovailoa. This is the toughest part of the rebuild
because of how his deal is structured. Moving off Tua any time soon would absolutely destroy
the cap sheet. His contract doesn’t really allow for a clean exit until 2029, when it voids. That’s
just the truth. No team is trading for that deal, and Miami can’t afford to eat the dead money. So
for now, you roll with him. Build around him. Make the roster good enough that when you do
move on from Tua, the next quarterback is walking into a team ready to compete - not rebuild all
over again.
Who to Keep, Who to Move
This is where things get interesting. Miami has some young talent that’s worth building around
and a few guys who should be flipped for draft capital. De’Von Achane -As electric as he is, the
Dolphins should trade him before his contract is up after 2026. Running backs are replaceable,
and Achane’s speed will still have value to another team. If you can get a third-round pick, take
it. Patrick Paul - This one’s a keeper. He’s been excellent in pass protection this year, and while
the run-blocking still needs work, that can be developed. Lock him up long-term.Around
$15–17.5 million per year would be a smart investment. Jaelan Phillips - Time to move on.
Injuries have piled up, and he hasn’t shown enough in the run game to make up for it. Get picks
and reset that position. With those moves, Miami clears major cap space and sets up a strong
foundation heading into the 2026 draft.
2026 NFL Draft: Fix the Trenches
Here’s what the Dolphins’ draft capital could look like after moving Hill and Phillips:
1st-round pick
2nd-round pick
Two 3rd-round picks
4th-round pick
5th-round pick
7th-round pick
The plan here is simple: build from the inside out. The Dolphins have been a finesse team for too
long. It’s time to get tougher starting in the trenches. In Round 1, Francis Mauigoa from the
University of Miami, should be the pick. Keep him in town, plug him in at right tackle, and don’t
think twice. In Round 2, Parker Brailsford, out of Alabama, would be a strong addition at guard -
physical, polished, and NFL ready.
That would leave Miami with an O-line that looks like this:
LT: Patrick Paul
LG: Parker Brailsford
C: Aaron Brewer
RG: Austin Jackson
RT: Francis Mauigoa
That’s five solid starters - young, athletic, and built to grow together. The kind of line you can
drop a rookie QB behind in a few years and actually expect success. The Dolphins could then
package their two third-rounders and a fourth to move up in 2027 for a defensive lineman or
edge rusher stacking the trenches on both sides of the ball.
2027 Draft: Time to Build the Defense
If Miami moves Bradley Chubb in 2026, they’ll likely add another first-round pick. That gives
them a 2027 draft haul that looks like this:
Two 1st-round picks
Two 2nd-round picks
3rd-round pick
4th-round pick
Two 5th-round picks
6th-round pick
7th-round pick
This is where you go all-in on the defense. Rebuild the front seven, add speed at linebacker, and
bring in a young corner and safety who can grow into long-term starters. The goal: build a unit
that’s hungry, physical, and capable of setting the tone - something the Dolphins haven’t had
since the early 2000s.
Leadership and Coaching
If this rebuild is going to work, it needs to start at the top. Chris Grier has had his shot. It’s time
for new leadership. As for Mike McDaniel, he’s not necessarily the problem, but his system
depends heavily on elite speed and precision which you’re not getting in a rebuild. If Miami does
move on, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur would be an intriguing option. He’s still
under 40, has NFL experience dating back to 2014, and has learned under both Kyle Shanahan
and Sean McVay. McVay has even said LaFleur’s fingerprints are all over their game planning,
even when he’s not the one calling plays. That kind of offensive mind could be a perfect fit for a
young, physical team.
The Road Back
This isn’t a “five-year tank job.” If Miami commits to this plan, they could be back to being
competitive by 2027 and a real contender by 2028.
The Dolphins have a clear path forward:
Cut the bloated contracts.
Build the trenches.
Stack picks.
Find the quarterback of the future.
That’s how Detroit did it. That’s how Houston did it. And that’s how Miami can finally do it too.
The blueprint is there. All that’s left is the courage to follow it.
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