Difference Makers, Transformative Players

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I know so many of us our feeling low about the Miami Dolphins. It doesn't help that Buffalo is in the AFC Championship game either and a strong super bowl contender.

While I've said before that 2025 feels like a transition year for Miami, a lot can change in a hurry in the NFL. We've seen that every year. A team comes from out of nowhere. Washington is a good example this season with the amazing year of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Houston two years ago with DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud.

We all know what the team needs are. That has been discussed, and it's fairly obvious as well. But who are players either in free agency, or in the draft that can be the type of difference makers that potentially make it more than a transition year?

Honestly, I haven't delved too deeply into free agency yet as many of the players currently listed will end up signing back with their teams. My hope is that Miami can nail down an upgrade at guard and safety in free agency. Trades are possible as well, and the Hill situation bears watching.

What about the draft? Here are five I think could do that at, or around, the #13 pick.

Ty Warren, TE
A former high school quarterback, Warren can catch, block, has the versatility to run the wildcat and quarterback sneaks. Pair him with Hill, Waddle, Achane and Smith and that's a nightmare matchup. He could be similar to Kelce or Kittle. I think he's that good.

James Pearce, DE
Watching KC's defense turn up the heat when the Chiefs needed to stop Houston is a reminder of how important the pass rush is. Pearce may end up being the best pass rushing end from this class, or close to it. If you don't have a franchise quarterback (about 25-28 teams), the next best thing is having a pass rush that can consistently make quarterbacks uncomfortable, force them to release ball early, make mistakes etc.

Walter Nolen, DT
Consistency can be an issue at times, but Nolen has the chance to change games in the middle. Miami definitely needs someone to pair with Zach Seiler.

Jaylen Walker, LB/DE
The ultimate chess piece type for Weaver. Walker can move around the defense and attack from anywhere. When you have Josh Allen in your division and Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson etc. in your conference, that could be a nice add. Seems like the type of player the Ravens would draft, which could make him a Weaver fit.

Malaki Starks, S
Starks is a versatile playmaker at safety, who could play nickel, and cover a tight end. He also has the lowest percentage of missed tackles in the safety class.

 

[raving]

Dolphins are rutterless bc of the owner.
The Redskins got rid of the narcissist owner and they’re good again - until that happens in Miami -Ross will be killing our dreams… call me when we a playoff game….

 

[Phins up]

I agree, since we aren't going anywhere next season or in 2026 and we know we aren't a few pieces away. I'd concentrate to add the best possible talent in the draft rather than just patch a position of need.
We need an influx of top talent which is also on the rookie salary. As long as we take the best player available even if that a WR or CB or Satefy lets start that way.
Honestly most of our positions need that so it wouldn't affect who h position we take.

 

[VAFinsfan72]

Dolphins are rutterless bc of the owner.
The Redskins got rid of the narcissist owner and they’re good again - until that happens in Miami -Ross will be killing our dreams… call me when we a playoff game….

Drafting Jayden Daniels also had a little something to do with their turnaround.

 

[VAFinsfan72]

I know so many of us our feeling low about the Miami Dolphins. It doesn't help that Buffalo is in the AFC Championship game either and a strong super bowl contender.

While I've said before that 2025 feels like a transition year for Miami, a lot can change in a hurry in the NFL. We've seen that every year. A team comes from out of nowhere. Washington is a good example this season with the amazing year of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Houston two years ago with DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud.

We all know what the team needs are. That has been discussed, and it's fairly obvious as well. But who are players either in free agency, or in the draft that can be the type of difference makers that potentially make it more than a transition year?

Honestly, I haven't delved too deeply into free agency yet as many of the players currently listed will end up signing back with their teams. My hope is that Miami can nail down an upgrade at guard and safety in free agency. Trades are possible as well, and the Hill situation bears watching.

What about the draft? Here are five I think could do that at, or around, the #13 pick.

Ty Warren, TE
A former high school quarterback, Warren can catch, block, has the versatility to run the wildcat and quarterback sneaks. Pair him with Hill, Waddle, Achane and Smith and that's a nightmare matchup. He could be similar to Kelce or Kittle. I think he's that good.

James Pearce, DE
Watching KC's defense turn up the heat when the Chiefs needed to stop Houston is a reminder of how important the pass rush is. Pearce may end up being the best pass rushing end from this class, or close to it. If you don't have a franchise quarterback (about 25-28 teams), the next best thing is having a pass rush that can consistently make quarterbacks uncomfortable, force them to release ball early, make mistakes etc.

Walter Nolen, DT
Consistency can be an issue at times, but Nolen has the chance to change games in the middle. Miami definitely needs someone to pair with Zach Seiler.

Jaylen Walker, LB/DE
The ultimate chess piece type for Weaver. Walker can move around the defense and attack from anywhere. When you have Josh Allen in your division and Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson etc. in your conference, that could be a nice add. Seems like the type of player the Ravens would draft, which could make him a Weaver fit.

Malaki Starks, S
Starks is a versatile playmaker at safety, who could play nickel, and cover a tight end. He also has the lowest percentage of missed tackles in the safety class.

I think Warren would have the biggest impact. He would improve our run blocking and add another pass catching weapon to go along with Hill Waddle Achane and Smith.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Drafting Jayden Daniels also had a little something to do with their turnaround.

I did notice that both my examples included teams that drafted young quarterbacks, who are already in the discussion as elite.

But this isn't about Tua, which is the direction so many posts go. In fact, Tua may be closest to Goff, who certainly has had success in the league. Plus, we all know Tua is the starter in 2025. Beyond that, we'll see.

 

[Phins up]

I think Warren would have the biggest impact. He would improve our run blocking and add another pass catching weapon to go along with Hill Waddle Achane and Smith.

I think we can use him like Andrews as a wildcat QB for those 4 and 1s. I know our OL isnt like the Ravens one. But Warren will be our biggest body and a better option than Tua or any of our backup QB's for that one yard sneaks

 

[VAFinsfan72]

I did notice that both my examples included teams that drafted young quarterbacks, who are already in the discussion as elite.

But this isn't about Tua, which is the direction so many posts go. In fact, Tua may be closest to Goff, who certainly has had success in the league. Plus, we all know Tua is the starter in 2025. Beyond that, we'll see.

Thats true, I didn't mean to compare Tua to Daniels. I was just stating that I think the biggest reason as to why the Commanders are in the NFC Championship is Jayden Daniels not new team ownership although that definitely helped in a. big way.

Another reason why I like Warren is that Hill and Smith might not be here that much longer so we have to also think about the future.

Warren along with Bowers could be the most dominant TE's in the league for the next decade.

 

[Shula Fan]

I think Warren is a really great tight end, but I would not select him. We have a ton of weapons on offense right now and we have nothing to show for it. Why keep adding weapons when we don’t have anyone who knows how to use them?

 

[VAFinsfan72]

I think Warren is a really great tight end, but I would not select him. We have a ton of weapons on offense right now and we have nothing to show for it. Why keep adding weapons when we don’t have anyone who knows how to use them?

You also have to consider that Hill and Smith might not be here much longer.

 

[Shula Fan]

You also have to consider that Hill and Smith might not be here much longer.

Hill can leave tomorrow and I would be happy

 

[3rdandinches]

I want Warren as he makes a massive improvement to our offense but I certain wouldn't complain about a stud defensive player.

 

[VAFinsfan72]

I think Grier is going to take Starks. I hope he is as good as advertised. I just don't think Safety is all that impactful of a position. You just don't want to have bad safeties like we had in 2024.

 

[eMCee85]

Any reason you didn't include any O line players?

 

[phinsforlife]

I know so many of us our feeling low about the Miami Dolphins. It doesn't help that Buffalo is in the AFC Championship game either and a strong super bowl contender.

While I've said before that 2025 feels like a transition year for Miami, a lot can change in a hurry in the NFL. We've seen that every year. A team comes from out of nowhere. Washington is a good example this season with the amazing year of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Houston two years ago with DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud.

We all know what the team needs are. That has been discussed, and it's fairly obvious as well. But who are players either in free agency, or in the draft that can be the type of difference makers that potentially make it more than a transition year?

Honestly, I haven't delved too deeply into free agency yet as many of the players currently listed will end up signing back with their teams. My hope is that Miami can nail down an upgrade at guard and safety in free agency. Trades are possible as well, and the Hill situation bears watching.

What about the draft? Here are five I think could do that at, or around, the #13 pick.

Ty Warren, TE
A former high school quarterback, Warren can catch, block, has the versatility to run the wildcat and quarterback sneaks. Pair him with Hill, Waddle, Achane and Smith and that's a nightmare matchup. He could be similar to Kelce or Kittle. I think he's that good.

James Pearce, DE
Watching KC's defense turn up the heat when the Chiefs needed to stop Houston is a reminder of how important the pass rush is. Pearce may end up being the best pass rushing end from this class, or close to it. If you don't have a franchise quarterback (about 25-28 teams), the next best thing is having a pass rush that can consistently make quarterbacks uncomfortable, force them to release ball early, make mistakes etc.

Walter Nolen, DT
Consistency can be an issue at times, but Nolen has the chance to change games in the middle. Miami definitely needs someone to pair with Zach Seiler.

Jaylen Walker, LB/DE
The ultimate chess piece type for Weaver. Walker can move around the defense and attack from anywhere. When you have Josh Allen in your division and Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson etc. in your conference, that could be a nice add. Seems like the type of player the Ravens would draft, which could make him a Weaver fit.

Malaki Starks, S
Starks is a versatile playmaker at safety, who could play nickel, and cover a tight end. He also has the lowest percentage of missed tackles in the safety class.

one of the saddest parts of being a dolphins fan. for the last 24 years, the conversation about the draft has started somewhere in between september and december. and we have gone nowhere