The 2025 season is shaping up to be a make-or-break campaign for the Miami Dolphins. Despite significant investments in their roster, the results have fallen short of expectations. Tension is building among the team’s stars, and the front office is undoubtedly feeling the heat.
With rumors swirling about a potential Tyreek Hill trade and growing doubts about Tua Tagovailoa’s long-term future, the Dolphins are in desperate need of a statement season. If they fall short, one analyst believes the 2026 NFL Draft could mark the start of a new era for the storied franchise.
Are the Miami Dolphins Heading Towards a Reset?
An injury to Tagovailoa, severe enough to spark talk of early retirement, derailed Miami’s 2025 season. Despite having stars like Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey, and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins ultimately failed to make the playoffs.
Understandably, the roster wasn’t pleased, with a locker room interview from Hill after the final game of the season seemingly sounding like a definitive end to his tenure with the Dolphins. During the summer, those rumors have died down a bit. But another underwhelming season, and they could be back in full force.
“I’m out bro.”
Tyreek Hill on his future with Dolphins 😳
(via @OmarKelly, @MiamiHerald) pic.twitter.com/uupakWk7Vb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2025
For Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, Miami isn’t going to be anywhere near playoff contention this upcoming season, making those rumors more likely.
In his 2026 NFL mock draft, Wilson has the Dolphins adding a young wide receiver to their core in Antonio Williams. Part of an excellent one-two punch with Cade Klubnik, the Clemson star put up 904 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns last season, five more than his total through his first two years with the Tigers.
He also flashed some ability as a runner, contributing 101 rushing yards and a touchdown. When it comes to Williams, Wilson didn’t hold back: “He consistently beats press coverage, creates separation at all three levels, and knows how to get open.”
Add in his versatility, “He can play outside, in the slot, and has punt-return ability,” and it isn’t hard to see why Miami might look to him as a replacement for their superstar wide receiver if things move in that direction.
But, after trading away Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers, some analysts don’t share Wilson’s mindset. Instead, Max Dorsey of PFSN, in his mock draft, argued that the Dolphins’ priority should be improving their cornerback room, one of the weakest corner units in the NFL.
As a result, he believes their best choice is Jermod McCoy out of Tennessee, whose strong vision and instincts have already endeared him to Dorsey. “He’s a high-level athlete with fluid hips, elite play speed, and the ability to stick in man coverage.”
Between the two positions, the more immediate need for Miami is on the defensive side of the field. Depending on how the season shapes out, the Dolphins could need to find wide receiver help.
But spending a top-10 pick on one might be too rich in a league that is constantly finding A+ receiving talent later in the draft.
