When the trade becomes official for Waddle, the Dolphins will have their own No. 11 overall pick, plus No. 30 in the first round. In the second round, Miami has its own No. 43 overall pick, then No. 75, No. 87, No. 90, and No. 94 in the third round. With seven selections in the top 100, the Dolphins should be able to acquire several impact players that can help shape the team moving forward. Plus Sullivan and Hafley could unearth some hidden gems with No. 130 in the fourth round, No. 151 in the fifth round, and No. 227 and No. 238 in the seventh round.
Seven picks in the top 100 is huge and hopefully we find at least 4-5 starters out of that haul. Hopefully we don't look at project players with off the charts potential...let other teams develop those guys. Give us 7 hard-nosed, tough football players who are ready to compete. We need two starting WRs, so I'm thinking that's the new priority at #11. WR or CB. Follow that up with a few interior linemen, an edge rusher, and other pieces of the secondary. It's crazy to think that we can actually get all those pieces in one draft. I don't know about you guys, but this isn't all doom and gloom for me. I think so far, this organization is doing a great job managing so much with so little.
I think WR and CB are the least likely positions to be taken lol. Sullivan has been adamant about drafting from the inside out and wanting big people. Hafley's defense prioritizes inside out and he has commented that he wants a strong running game. The Waddle trade was indicative of them not valuing the position and being willing to trade a good but not elite talent. WR in round 2 or 3 is much more likely. Chris Bell, Chris Brazzell, Elijah Sarratt, Malachi Fields, Ted Hurst and Jakobi Lane - I'd bet we come away with one of those guys. They are all 6-2 or taller and Sullivan has expressed a desire to get bigger at the position. I think we already have Waddle's replacement on the team - Tutu Atwell. No they aren't the same guy or anywhere near the same talent level, but Atwell will fill the speedster role. I'd also think the staff is going to give Tolbert a legitimate shot to be one of the top guys on the team. I'd also strongly predict we take at least 1 TE with hands, and probably as early as rounds 2-3 again.
Here's to trading down from both #11 and #30 and picking up even more! Obviously, it takes two teams to tango and make a deal, but per the chart, were the Fins to move down from 11 to around 19 or 20, that would be worth a 2nd round pick. Moving from 11 to 15 would be worth a 3rd for that slight move. Move from 11 to 25, and the other team would need to give up two 2nd rounders. (which Chicago, at 25 happens to have) Imaging taking a player at 25, then trading down from 30 into the second round, ending up with four 2nd round picks and five 3rd round picks in the process. They could go a long way towards restocking the team.
I'm okay with that. Grier/McDaniel's arrogance to think they could field a winning roster with OL and IDL that would barely compete for starting roster spots on other teams has bugged me for years. We might have had success with Tua if we had a top 10 OL. If an inferior OL/IDL is the opportunity cost for paying your QB and WR1/WR2 market rates, it's too rich for my blood. Bring in some hogs and we'll be better for it down the line.
I do agree except for one thing- the offensive line is currently a solid group of players. We haven't been able to say that for decades, yet I think we're closer than we've ever been to having a functional unit for running and passsing. I'd still draft a guard and a tackle at minimum. I just don't think it's our most glaring need anymore.
Dolphins could use 2 guards, with one who can backup center too. Two in case Savaiinaea is a bust. I think they've signed two OL so far?
What's the minimum you would take for Achane? I think a 2nd and 4th would be my target price. But he could be worth more to certain Superbowl contenders who value a Marshall Faulk like back.
I'm not taking a 2nd and 4th for him. He's worth more than that. Still just 24 years old with low wear and tear. If a team comes with a big deal like what we got for Waddle, I'd listen. But otherwise, I'd put the franchise tag on him next year.
Shouldn't be thinking minimum for him. He's a talent so we should be looking at a first and 3rd or 4th. Personally, I'd like to keep him and see how we can build around him but I wouldn't be averse to trading him if it's for a first and whatever.
I'd want two 1st round picks, preferably in next year's draft (or 2027/2028). We could negotiate for less, but that's where I'd start and I wouldn't let him go without collecting a premium. Or, if someone wants to pay the piper today, I'd take a top-10 pick in this year's draft. Achane is the best RB in the league at this time. He's young, he's on a rookie contract, and it doesn't get much better in terms of signing an impact player. If someone wants him, they are going to pay at a price that hurts.
Achane is on the final year of his rookie contract. If the Dolphins don't extend him, he'll be a free agent and if his 2026 performance mirrors last year's performance, he's going to command a significant payday. The Dolphins will have to either pay him, try to trade him or cut him and that may be a painful pill to swallow if he performs at the same level this upcoming season. I like Achane and don't want to get rid of him. He brings to Miami what we've lacked for years, an effective running game that commands the defensive secondary to account for him. I don't care what anyone says, an effective running game is a quarterback's best friend. If you can run the ball, you control the game, bottom line. If we're going to keep him, we need to look at extending him now but with a team friendly contract; performance based with incentives and an out if he seriously regresses or has injury that calls into question his ability in the future. LONG TERM however...and as much as it pains me to say it; looking at this from a strategic point of view, it may be worth trying to trade Achane now while his stock is high however, I'm looking for a 1st round pick, even if it's a conditional 1st round pick. Get what you can for him NOW while his stock is up. If he excels elsewhere, good for him. If he regresses, a bullet dodged.
Agreed that Achane is a talent that deserves 1st round compensation. I just don't feel the NFL will value him that way and the number of teams that could use him for a Superbowl run is limited. Funny thing is, the Broncos are one of those teams that could have used him
Agree 100%. The fact that RBs are incredibly undervalued at the moment is a good reason to keep a playmaker. His eventual extension will be the best deal on the team from a contributive value standpoint, even if it sets the market. He is a building block in Miami but would likely be the final piece for half a dozen much better teams (the way Denver sees Waddle), so I'd insist on more than a 2nd and 4th.
It could change mid season. Someone could be in a position where they seem him as the final piece to put them over the top and are willing to pay what it takes to make that happen. If not, then like I said, we can tag him next offseason and try to move him then.
