The Miami Dolphins could be positioned to select one of the 2027 NFL Draft’s premier quarterbacks. NFL analyst Alex Barbour believes taking one would be solving the wrong problem.
Barbour argued during a recent Hail Mary Sports mock draft that Miami should continue evaluating Malik Willis, trade down from a premium selection, and build the roster around Ohio State superstar Jeremiah Smith instead.
Alex Barbour Says Dolphins Need More Than a Quarterback
In Barbour’s scenario, Miami owns the No. 2 pick and has an opportunity to select Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
He acknowledged Moore could potentially give the Dolphins a better long-term version of what Willis already provides, but questioned whether an incremental quarterback upgrade would actually fix Miami.
“If you’re a QB away, I think that’s perfectly reasonable,” Barbour said. “I just don’t think they’re a QB away. I think there’s a lot that needs to be done.”
Rather than immediately resetting at quarterback, Barbour proposed Miami trade the second selection to Cleveland and prioritize making the overall roster stronger.
“My number one goal at this point would just be making my team the best version it could be,” Barbour said. “We’re not ready to compete.”
That approach eventually lands Smith in Miami. The Ohio State receiver is currently PFN’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 class, carrying a 93.48 prospect score. His 85.1 WR Impact score in 2025 ranked fifth among FBS wide receivers.
Smith has already produced 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns through two collegiate seasons.
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Malik Willis Could Get Longer Audition in Miami
Barbour also pointed to Willis’ encouraging early work with the Dolphins.
“Malik Willis looked really good,” Barbour said later in the video. “Again, it’s preseason. You can’t really take too much stock in that.”
Willis completed four of five passes for 43 yards during his lone series in Miami’s preseason opener against Washington, leading a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive. He sat out Saturday’s 26 to 3 loss against the New York Giants.
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Miami signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason after he spent two seasons backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay. He did not play enough snaps to qualify for PFN’s full-season 2025 QB Impact rankings, but his 89.0 QB Impact score in Week 17 ranked second among quarterbacks that week.
None of that guarantees Willis is Miami’s long-term answer. Barbour’s argument is that the Dolphins do not need to determine that answer immediately.
If Smith remains the caliber of prospect evaluators currently expect, Miami could spend 2027 giving Willis another chance while adding a potential franchise-changing weapon around him.
