The Miami Dolphins’ entire approach to the final 10 weeks of the season — including the looming NFL trade deadline — could hinge on the results of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Dolphins will never admit they’re waving the white flag on the year — particularly with Tua Tagovailoa back after four weeks on injured reserve. But if they fall to 2-5 and well out of the AFC playoff race, they could say it without saying it.
But if the Dolphins win, all of their goals remain ahead of them, particularly if the Buffalo Bills lose to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8.
That’s why it’s too soon to say whether they’ll be buyers or sellers at the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
They probably don’t know themselves yet.
2 Miami Dolphins Trade Deadline Scenarios
Barring ties, the Dolphins will either be 4-4, 3-5, or 2-6 the week of the deadline. They could be a half-game out of first place in the AFC East. They could be four and a half games out.
We’ll learn much about what this team is capable of going forward Sunday when the Dolphins host the 3-4 Cardinals at 1 p.m. The result of the game could determine whether Miami wants to add or unload talent for the stretch run.
Dolphins as Buyers
Any scenario that includes the Dolphins adding players at the trade deadline must begin with a win on Sunday. But it’s not that far-fetched of a first step. They’re actually three-point favorites.
But even if they decide that the season is still salvageable, the Dolphins are in no position to be big spenders.
They’re just $5.7 million under this year’s salary cap, per the daily NFLPA report, and have even less projected cap space next year.
The biggest way the Dolphins can improve in 2024 is by simply getting better play out of their current roster. And with Tagovailoa’s return, that certainly should happen on offense.
But that doesn’t mean that they can’t improve at the margins.
If they were to make a move or two, it would have to be from the bargain bin. Miami certainly needs a better backup quarterback and could use upgrades or depth at tight end, outside linebacker, and cornerback.
Options at those positions that could work?
Quarterback
Joshua Dobbs, San Francisco 49ers, $1.1 million still owed in 2024
Trey Lance, Dallas Cowboys, $700,000
Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers, $1.5 million
EDGE
Za’Darius Smith, Cleveland Browns, $700,000
Joshua Uche, New England Patriots, $800,000
Chase Young, New Orleans Saints, $1.7 million
Dennis Gardeck, Arizona Cardinals, $1.6 million
Tight End
Tanner Hudson, Cincinnati Bengals, $700,000
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints, $700,000
Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers, $1.7 million
Austin Hooper, New England Patriots, $700,000
Cornerback
Tre’Davious White, Los Angeles Rams, $900,000
Dane Jackson, Carolina Panthers, $700,000
Ronald Darby, Jacksonville Jaguars, $800,000
Nate Hobbs, Las Vegas Raiders, $2.1 million
Any of those players could presumably be had for a late-round draft pick and easily fit within Miami’s budget.
Dolphins as Sellers
The Dolphins should strongly, strongly consider offloading as many contracts as possible if they drop their next two games (which, given the fact that the Bills are looming in Week 9, is highly likely should they lose to the Cardinals).
And no one should be off-limits. (That includes Tagovailoa, although with more than $100 million functionally guaranteed by any team that trades for him, that’s not a realistic option, given his concussion history.)
If the Dolphins believe they need to reset their roster this offseason, they’ll need cap space to do so. By shedding some of their biggest contracts, they can create that space for 2025 and beyond.
Next year, the Dolphins have $70 million in salary cap space committed to Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead, and Jalen Ramsey alone. They’re all over 30 and want to win now (and Hill’s patience seems to be wearing thin).
Trading all three at the deadline would net a bonanza in draft picks and help get their books in order for the next rebuild.
And let’s be clear: If Miami starts 2-6, the next rebuild is coming one way or the other. It would be smarter for them to get ahead of it — and maximize their returns — by trading their big names.
If it takes Stephen Ross instructing Chris Grier to execute those moves, so be it.
