The Miami Dolphins kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings later today. Before we get to the game, however, we empty The Phinsider Mailbag to answer your questions about the team. Today’s mail bag looks at the changes Miami has to make with the injury to running back De’Von Achane, the young players stepping up, and what the team could do in the 2027 NFL Draft.
It is time to jump into the mailbag and give you our thoughts. Let us know if you agree or disagree in the comments.
MB: I think we’ll see the
offense lean on more of a power running game with Ollie Gordon and Jaylen Wright taking over running back duties now that Achane is out for the season due to his ACL tear. I’d like to see Malik Willis continue to use his mobility — and I think more play-action passing could benefit this offense moving forward.
KN: I think Wright is the more direct replacement of Achane and will be the primary option out of the backfield, but the position will rely on more of a rotation than they may have with a healthy Achane. Gordon should see plenty of playing time and the coaching staff needs to stick with the hot hand. The short passing game probably becomes more important. And, we might see more reliance on tight end Greg Dulcich as a safety valve.
MB: Regarding Miami’s young talent, I think there’s a lot to like. Kadyn Proctor has been really solid since the start of the season. Chris Johnson has had his ups and downs, but there’s a lot to be excited about regarding his game. The rookie receivers — Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas — have both flashed. Will Kacmarek has been a difference-maker as a blocking tight end. I think Jon-Eric Sullivan nailed it with his first draft in Miami.
KN: The Dolphins definitely appear to have hit on many of their draft picks – at least in a very small sample size. Rodriguez looks like a star in the making, Douglas and Bell have had moments and will continue to grow. Proctor is settling in and may be a very strong guard for years to come for the Dolphins. Safety Michael Taaffe and Johnson have both flashed in the secondary, fighting through rookie mistakes and adjusting to the speed of the game.
As for second-year players, Jordan Phillips has been very good in the middle of the defensive line. Dante Trader Jr. has paired well with Taaffe. And we cannot overlook Jonah Savaiinaea, who has been solid at right guard.
MB: The Dolphins could go a lot of different directions if they do land the #1 pick in the 2027 Draft — although I’m still not fully convinced that comes to pass. As far as quarterbacks go, it’s still early, but there isn’t really a suitable one standing out from the pack in the collegiate ranks at the moment. I don’t think Arch comes out next year, but even if he does, he hasn’t played like a #1 overall pick this season at all. Jeremiah Smith is the next “can’t miss” wide receiver prospect from Ohio State — and for good reason. If Miami picks first next April, he should be the pick unless you can trade down a spot or two to a quarterback-hungry team and still get Smith plus a haul of picks to boot.
KN: I think it all comes down to Malik Willis. Do the coaches see him as their quarterback for 2027 and beyond? If he plays well enough to earn that trust, then they can do just about anything they want with the pick. I think this quarterback draft class is not going ot be as strong as people thought – in large part because Arch Manning still needs to develop; his last name is not going to be enough to be a true franchise quarterback in the NFL. I think the Dolphins have two options if they land the first overall pick: trade back to a team desperate for a quarterback and add a ton of picks, or make Jeremiah Smith just the fourth wide receiver ever taken with the number one pick. If Miami does not take Smith, or they trade back and see him come off the board before they can make their pick, edge rusher is probably the biggest focal point in the first round.
