The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a tough transitional period. With a new general manager, head coach, and quarterback, the team is essentially rebuilding from the ground up.
On paper, it’s difficult to argue that this isn’t one of the weakest rosters in the NFL. While the Dolphins invested heavily in new signal-caller Malik Willis, there’s little else to get excited about. The team saw a significant exodus of talent this offseason, losing Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Bradley Chubb, and others.
As a result, many expect the Dolphins to endure a long 2026 season. That might be painful for fans, but the silver lining is that the 2027 draft class is expected to be loaded, particularly at quarterback.
Despite giving Willis a hefty contract just two months ago, it’s entirely possible the Dolphins will look for his replacement next April. Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports recently released a 2027 mock draft, projecting Miami to take Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with the No. 1 overall pick.
Wilson explained: “Moore would have been the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had he not decided to return to Oregon. He plays with high-end pocket composure, handles pressure well, and once the play breaks down, he’s elite out of structure. He showed up in big moments throughout the ’25 season (until they ran into the Hoosiers in the CFP) and he’s my QB1 because he outplayed Arch Manning—and every other QB—in the ’26 class.”
As Wilson noted, Moore could have been a top-two pick in 2026 but opted for another year in college. So far, Moore has been a more productive college quarterback than Arch Manning, who many expected to go first overall.
In 2025, Moore threw for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He led the Oregon Ducks to the College Football Playoff, showcasing the big arm and elite composure that NFL teams covet.
Miami desperately needs an identity and stars to build around. Moore could certainly fill that role. If the Dolphins are picking first overall, it’s safe to assume Willis didn’t have a great season.
Because Miami already has a massive amount of dead cap on their books, Willis probably wouldn’t be cut if Moore or another quarterback is drafted. Instead, Willis would likely serve as a highly-paid backup or start early in 2027 until the rookie is ready.
Of course, Dolphins fans would love to be competitive in 2026, but that would likely mean missing out on an elite franchise quarterback. Willis could be a serviceable option, but can he ever be truly elite? It’s possible, but not likely, especially given the lack of offensive talent currently on the roster.
More NFL news:
– Is Carnell Tate going to be a WR1 for the Titans?
– Will the Cardinals give up on Carson Beck quickly?
– Jets get good and bad news regarding the 2027 draft
– One analyst loved what the Cowboys did in 2026 draft
– Vikings roasted for questionable 2026 draft
– Jaguars, James Gladstone’s 2026 draft graded harshly