Kevin Szafraniec kicks off his deep dive into the AFC East by identifying the best and worst picks on the Miami Dolphins’ roster in 2026 best ball drafts.
The general consensus regarding the 2026 Miami Dolphins is that things will be bad. Real bad.
The new regime in South Beach cleared house this offseason, taking on a league-high $179.2M in dead cap (per Spotrac), leading the next closest team by more than $60.0M. Tua Tagovailoa ($55.4M), Tyreek Hill ($28.2M), Jaylen Waddle ($23.2M), and Jalen Ramsey ($20.9M) all carry dead cap hits above $20.0M. Three more players — Minkah Fitzpatrick ($13.0M), Bradley Chubb ($11.0M), and Terron Armstead ($10.7M) — all clear $10.0M.
Next offseason, the outlook is considerably brighter. Tagovailoa ($43.8M) and Chubb ($12.9M) are the only two players who carry dead money into 2027, which suggests that the hard times in Miami may be relatively short-lived. But in the meantime, we still have to get through 2026.
There are very few sure things in Miami this season. A new coaching staff, an unproven quarterback, and the youngest roster in the league are only the tip of the iceberg. Even superstar running back De’Von Achane carries his fair share of question marks now that he does not have the comfort of Mike McDaniel’s run scheme to fall back on.
But is there a chance we are overreacting to all of the change taking place in Miami? Let’s dig into the data and see if we can find some value in South Beach.
In this series, we will focus on best ball ADP from the FFPC slim format, which features 20-round drafts, tight-end premium scoring (1.5 points per TE reception and 1.0 PPR for all other positions), and starting lineups consisting of one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, and two standard flex spots.
Catch up on all the previous installments of this series:
AFC South
- Will the Colts Come to Regret Their Massive Offseason Investments?
- Searching for Offensive Rhythm in Tennessee
- It’s a Make-or-Break Year for C.J. Stroud and the Houston Passing Game
- How Many Players Will Deliver on Jacksonville’s Loaded Offense?
NFC North
- Does Chicago’s System or Players Deserve More Credit for the Bears’ Success?
- Uncertainty Lingers Just Underneath the Surface in Detroit
- Don’t Be Fooled by the Illusion of Certainty in Green Bay
- The Vikings’ Passing Attack is Primed for a Quick Turnaround
NFC West
- Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba the Only Game in Town for the Defending Champs?
- Offseason Upgrades Could Fuel a Dominant Rams Rushing Attack
- Young Superstars are Arizona’s Fantasy Oasis
- Are San Francisco’s Stars Closer to the Lombardi Trophy or the Retirement Home?
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