Team Needs (Miami Dolphins from Bleacher Report)

[ThePeopleShow13]

Did you forget the part we just extended him for 3 years?

We declined his 5th year option, so he is playing on year 1 of his extension already (we extended him in the back half of last season). He can be cut post June 1st in 2025 for $6.5M dead cap a year in 25/26. There is only $13-14M in guaranteed money left on his deal.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

It might be better for Miami, to fill its needs at WR #3 and OG through F/A. With these positions being two of the weaker positions in the 2025 draft, F/A could be the short term answer? The draft is loaded on defense, and is very deep at the Edge, DT and RB positions. So it could the answer to Miami's needs at these positions. The F/O certainly has its work cut out for them. As long as Tua remains on the roster, I think finding QB #2, becomes a lesser priority over the other needs. Which could mean, Miami looks beyond round one for a backup QB.

I hate to say it, but I'd consider any contribution from Phillips moving forward as a bonus, not a guarantee. I know he's a hard worker, but that's going to be difficult to come back from and retain speed etc.

Robinson looks like a pass rush specialist, perhaps a very good one.

So, I think an a defensive end who can set the edge may be the biggest need.

I agree with your free agency thoughts.

 

[Atila]

Oh sorry man, I thought you were saying you'd pick a qb first before picking o line. That's why I was saying for me, I'd strictly pick o line with my first 2 picks.

100% agreed… especially if we think Tua can be a good stopgap in the meantime.

 

[Buff]

And what do you do with Austin Jackson?

rotation at best, or trade

 

[Avigatorx]

The talent levels of the OG and QB positions in 2025 aren't as high as on the defensive side of the ball. It's a huge gamble selecting one of those two positions due to fan hype the QB position is getting and the lack of first round talent at OG. Stay with the strength. JMO.

Jake Majors is first round talent at center, and if you want any hope of drafting Arch Manning, he would be a good start.

 

[mwestberry]

Agree. First, we're speculating for fun. Miami should draft ~16th at worst. Given that, there will be no must have QB available and, if there were, Miami would more likely trade down for more draft picks. QBs have value in trades.

Your posts continually say the same thing, but you never say why you think the Dolphins (or you) wouldn't draft a QB.

Now that we know your position, why wouldn't a QB be considered with the #1 pick?

 

[fansinceGWilson]

Your posts continually say the same thing, but you never say why you think the Dolphins (or you) wouldn't draft a QB.

Now that we know your position, why wouldn't a QB be considered with the #1 pick?

I'm all about 'most likely' / 'most realistic.' NFL teams don't draft a QB high when they have a young top QB. And, whether fans like it or not, it appears Miami sees TT as a top QB. Second, that newly drafted QB would sit on the bench until TT was injured again (a fair debate), is injured so bad he has to retire, or retires of old age. On top of that, taking a QB high means another position of high need would go unfilled. Even worse, if another team wanted to move up, Miami could trade that potential backup QB to get a couple of picks to fill needs.
Now, I'll admit, 'most realistic' doesn't equate to 'guarantee' nor does it mean the world won't change between now and the draft. But, IMO, it's realistic enough, if it were an investment, I'd buy 'no high round' QB every day.
Don't know your position on any of this so I'm not calling you out, but I anticipate 'yeah, Grier will mess it up,' or 'but he's injury prone.' Don't care about those responses although I do worry about injuries. 'Most likely,' no high round QB.

 

[mwestberry]

I'm all about 'most likely' / 'most realistic.' NFL teams don't draft a QB high when they have a young top QB. And, whether fans like it or not, it appears Miami sees TT as a top QB. Second, that newly drafted QB would sit on the bench until TT was injured again (a fair debate), is injured so bad he has to retire, or retires of old age. On top of that, taking a QB high means another position of high need would go unfilled. Even worse, if another team wanted to move up, Miami could trade that potential backup QB to get a couple of picks to fill needs.
Now, I'll admit, 'most realistic' doesn't equate to 'guarantee' nor does it mean the world won't change between now and the draft. But, IMO, it's realistic enough, if it were an investment, I'd buy 'no high round' QB every day.
Don't know your position on any of this so I'm not calling you out, but I anticipate 'yeah, Grier will mess it up,' or 'but he's injury prone.' Don't care about those responses although I do worry about injuries. 'Most likely,' no high round

Thanks for your reply.

I have no "stance" one way or the other. I agree with you on the logic of the decision.

My doubt about the team's future lies in the offensive system because it is not QB-friendly, and the QB drives the offense.
Couple that with the inability to field a cohesive OL, and the issue is magnified.

Without a change in the system, only Tua (so far) has been able to make it work, and he can't stay healthy or make a play outside of the box consistently enough to be a threat.
Having said that the team will probably look @ edge/cb in the first and hopefully start building an OL with a couple of the remaining selections.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I'm all about 'most likely' / 'most realistic.' NFL teams don't draft a QB high when they have a young top QB. And, whether fans like it or not, it appears Miami sees TT as a top QB. Second, that newly drafted QB would sit on the bench until TT was injured again (a fair debate), is injured so bad he has to retire, or retires of old age. On top of that, taking a QB high means another position of high need would go unfilled. Even worse, if another team wanted to move up, Miami could trade that potential backup QB to get a couple of picks to fill needs.
Now, I'll admit, 'most realistic' doesn't equate to 'guarantee' nor does it mean the world won't change between now and the draft. But, IMO, it's realistic enough, if it were an investment, I'd buy 'no high round' QB every day.
Don't know your position on any of this so I'm not calling you out, but I anticipate 'yeah, Grier will mess it up,' or 'but he's injury prone.' Don't care about those responses although I do worry about injuries. 'Most likely,' no high round QB.

I generally agree with this. But I think there are some exceptions.

If Ross replaces Grier and/or McDaniel, that could open the door to a different philosophy at quarterback. I don't think that's likely, but it's probably not off the table either.

Plus, I think Miami is in a unique situation. Tua has had a three concussions. He's talked openly about retirement before.

If the Dolphins pick high enough and there's a quarterback who the team views as a franchise type, why not pull the trigger?

 

[fansinceGWilson]

I generally agree with this. But I think there are some exceptions.

If Ross replaces Grier and/or McDaniel, that could open the door to a different philosophy at quarterback. I don't think that's likely, but it's probably not off the table either.

Plus, I think Miami is in a unique situation. Tua has had a three concussions. He's talked openly about retirement before.

If the Dolphins pick high enough and there's a quarterback who the team views as a franchise type, why not pull the trigger?

Certainly there are exceptions. If Grier is caught selling cocaine to kindergarteners, all bets are off. That said, Ross replacing Grier and/or Mcd is very unlikely.
why would they not pull the trigger? OL, TE, LB, Edge, . . . They'd have to think a QB who may be backup for years is more important than one or two of those positions. Again, I see a high round QB as unlikely.
I've offered some brothers and sisters here a chance to 'invest' in FH with no takers. I think everyone here knows what is likely, like it or not.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Certainly there are exceptions. If Grier is caught selling cocaine to kindergarteners, all bets are off. That said, Ross replacing Grier and/or Mcd is very unlikely.
why would they not pull the trigger? OL, TE, LB, Edge, . . . They'd have to think a QB who may be backup for years is more important than one or two of those positions. Again, I see a high round QB as unlikely.
I've offered some brothers and sisters here a chance to 'invest' in FH with no takers. I think everyone here knows what is likely, like it or not.

Yeah, it's not likely. I do love how Green Bay responds at quarterback. Jordan Love was there for the taking, they liked his upside, still had Aaron Rodgers, but made the move anyway.

They were much further along talent-wise than Miami currently is. In fact, get a wide receiver there and maybe the Packers make a super bowl run the year they drafted Love, or the next. The Dolphins have a lot of work to do to match, or better, Kansas City, Baltimore and Buffalo (Houston). All those teams have mobile quarterbacks too. Not putting Tua down, just a fact of life.

There are good arguments on both sides. Tua's durability is a big issue. When healthy, I think he's a top 10 (or close to that) caliber quarterback. But how much can Miami depend on him? One more concussion and does he retire? I know injuries happen and even the most durable quarterbacks are a hit a way, but you get the point. Maybe Tua plays 10 more years and doesn't have issues. That seems less likely, but who knows?

 

[fansinceGWilson]

Yeah, it's not likely. I do love how Green Bay responds at quarterback. Jordan Love was there for the taking, they liked his upside, still had Aaron Rodgers, but made the move anyway.

They were much further along talent-wise than Miami currently is. In fact, get a wide receiver there and maybe the Packers make a super bowl run the year they drafted Love, or the next. The Dolphins have a lot of work to do to match, or better, Kansas City, Baltimore and Buffalo (Houston). All those teams have mobile quarterbacks too. Not putting Tua down, just a fact of life.

There are good arguments on both sides. Tua's durability is a big issue. When healthy, I think he's a top 10 (or close to that) caliber quarterback. But how much can Miami depend on him? One more concussion and does he retire? I know injuries happen and even the most durable quarterbacks are a hit a way, but you get the point. Maybe Tua plays 10 more years and doesn't have issues. That seems less likely, but who knows?

A while back I did a little research on QB drafts from (I think) 2001>2019. There were two prominent categories of teams taking QB in the 1st two rounds. 1) Those teams with a losing record 3 yrs in a row whether they took a QB in the previous 2 yrs or not. Those teams will give up on a draft pick if they admit the guy is poor. 2) Those top teams with an older QB (e.g., Rodgers) or have a very good team with few holes (e.g., KC and Mahomes). Teams with winning records and an above avg QB and numerous holes don't draft a QB high.
Before anyone posts . . . a reminder. I'm not arguing Miami SHOULDN'T draft anyone and I am concerned about TT's injury hx. But the strong likelihood is no high round QB

 

[The Goat]

I am strongly of the opinion Miami should draft a QB in 2025 regardless of where they pick.

I don’t think there can be much debate that Tua’s future is murky at best. I don’t believe it’s possible to get free of his contract before 2026 without completely blowing up the team, but planning for that eventuality is wise.

 

[dolfan91]

I am strongly of the opinion Miami should draft a QB in 2025 regardless of where they pick.

I don’t think there can be much debate that Tua’s future is murky at best. I don’t believe it’s possible to get free of his contract before 2026 without completely blowing up the team, but planning for that eventuality is wise.

I tend to agree with you on Tua. But unfortunately not on taking a QB, no matter where Miami selects. There is a real issue selecting a QB top five to ten, with that kind of contract, that impedes Miami's ability to put a better roster together. Especially with Miami looking at cap gymnastics in 2025. And that's not factoring in the consensus about the 2025 draft being weak at QB.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I tend to agree with you on Tua. But unfortunately not on taking a QB, no matter where Miami selects. There is a real issue selecting a QB top five to ten, with that kind of contract, that impedes Miami's ability to put a better roster together. Especially with Miami looking at cap gymnastics in 2025. And that's not factoring in the consensus about the 2025 draft being weak at QB.

Agree, don't reach.