Could It Happen Faster Than Expected?

Could the Miami Dolphins’ Rebuild Be Moving Faster Than Anyone Expected?

Recent reports strongly suggest that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley intend to keep some solid veterans on the current roster.

Defensive tackle Zach Sieler, center Aaron Brewer, and linebacker Jordyn Brooks are being cited as core veterans in the rebuild.

You can make a case on both sides.

By trading away productive veterans who still have draft value, the Dolphins can keep building on their foundation.

The front office can amass as many draft picks as possible and keep filling the roster with talented young players.

The fundamental problem with that logic is that young players need time to develop not only as contributors but also as leaders.

And with that philosophy, in my opinion, this rebuild will inevitably take 4-5 years.

So, I believe that Sullivan and Hafley have a different timeline in mind.

To speed up the rebuild, say, to 3 years, a veteran presence of players who can serve as mentors and leaders is critical.

In Hafley’s latest presser, he was noncommittal about whether the Dolphins would be open to trading some of their veterans at the deadline.

One veteran player should be on the trade block, and although he likely won’t return a significant draft pick, he’s been inconsistent at best: right tackle Austin Jackson.

Jackson was a 2020 first-round pick by former GM Chris Grier and has never lived up to expectations because of both injuries and poor play.

Even though Sullivan and Hafley will listen to trade offers, NFL insiders suggest they will remain committed to Sieler, Brewer, and Brooks, and this veteran trio could help speed up the development of the younger players they bring in.

As a fan, I would much prefer that by 2028, the Dolphins emerge as a team to reckon with and compete to win our division and a playoff game.

This is not a remote possibility, and with the Dolphins in a significantly better salary cap position in 2027, Sullivan will have the flexibility to sign additional veterans who can immediately contribute