Trading Jaylen Waddle has sparked more than roster questions in the Miami Dolphins. It has led to speculation about a full rebuild and a potential long-term plan centered on the 2027 NFL Draft.
With the roster thinning out and dead cap piling up, fans and analysts are openly wondering if the Dolphins are positioning themselves for Arch Manning.
Jets and Dolphins in Arch Manning Tank-Off Next Season
The idea did not take long to spread. The Dolphins are carrying over $165 million in dead money on their 2026 cap. A large portion is tied to former stars like Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Waddle, Jalen Ramsey, and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
That level of financial reset has fueled the belief that the Dolphins are taking a step back before building toward the future.
Manning is widely viewed as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. He quickly became the center of the conversation.
Radio host Zach Gelb shared his reaction on X and outlined what the trade means. He said Denver is pushing to compete now and gave Bo Nix a needed weapon. He added that the Dolphins appears to be entering a ‘March for Arch’ phase.
Reactions to the Dolphins/Broncos trade:
1-Denver is going for it. Bo got a needed weapon.
2-The March for Arch is on in Miami.
3-Will De’Von Achane be next?
4-Eagles fans saying the price just went up for AJ Brown are being unrealistic. Around a 1/3 is more than fair.
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) March 17, 2026
Gelb also raised the possibility that De’Von Achane could be moved next and said the market for A.J. Brown has not changed as much as some believe.
The phrase March for Arch has a ring to it. Sporting News reporter Kyle Odegard also posted about the trend, noting that the Dolphins may not be alone in the race to the bottom.
Dolphins tanking. Jets tanking. Cardinals tanking.
The March for Arch is crowded.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) March 17, 2026
The account Novig added to the conversation, joked about a competition between teams, and posted basketball stat lines with minutes played but zeros everywhere else.
“Jets and Dolphins next season in the Arch Manning tank off.”
Jets and Dolphins next season in the Arch Manning tank off pic.twitter.com/T0zlIhUgsq
— Novig (@Novig) March 17, 2026
Novig followed that up with another post. “All aboard the Miami tank. Arch Manning, you ARE a Dolphin.”
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The Dynasty Grill account projected the outcome and tied the Dolphins directly to the top pick. “With the 1st pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select: Arch Manning, QB, Texas.”
With the 1st pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select:
Arch Manning, QB, Texas pic.twitter.com/wXiUfPSadp
— The Dynasty Grill (@FFDynastyGrill) March 17, 2026
YardsPerPass took a sarcastic tone about the Dolphins’ direction. The post joked that new head coach Jeff Hafley should have been told his job is to tank hard enough to land Manning next year.
The volume of reactions shows how quickly the narrative has formed. The Waddle trade, combined with the Dolphins’ cap situation, has led many to believe this is about being as bad as possible next season.
The Dolphins have not indicated any plan to tank. That, of course, is against NFL rules. But the roster building and financial outlook have created that perception across the league. The NFL world is watching as the idea of a ‘March for Arch’ continues to grow.
