Miami Dolphins Pull Off Blockbuster Draft Day Trade For New Franchise Quarterback In Massive Proposal That Would Send Shockwaves Through The NFL
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Miami Dolphins are at a turning point as the 2026 season gets closer. The team fired general manager Chris Grier in October, and head coach Mike McDaniel is under heavy pressure after a 6-9 record and two straight losses on Sunday. The feeling around the franchise is tense and uneasy.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa adds to the drama. He recently signed a four-year, $212 million extension, but McDaniel still moved him to the third string. Many around the league see that decision as a message. McDaniel may be trying to show flexibility to a future front office and protect his job.
That pressure has led to a crazy prediction from Pro Football Focus. Analyst Gordon McGuinness believes Miami could make a huge move in the draft. He predicts the Dolphins will try to trade for the No. 1 overall pick to draft Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
Miami Dolphins Eye Aggressive Trade For Top Pick
McGuinness explained the idea in a recent PFF mock draft. The New York Giants hold the No. 1 overall pick, but they do not need a quarterback. Rookie Jaxson Dart has shown enough to ease that concern, which makes a trade more likely.
PFF says the price would be high. Miami would have to give up the No. 10 pick, the No. 44 pick, plus a first- and second-round pick in 2027. In return, the Dolphins would get the top pick and the chance to draft Mendoza.
Mendoza stands out as the clear top prospect in the class. The 6-foot-5 quarterback won the Heisman Trophy this season after throwing for 2,980 yards. He still has the Rose Bowl to play on New Year’s Day, and scouts love his profile.
“With Tua Tagovailoa benched ahead of the Dolphins’ Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s obvious that Miami is in the market for a new quarterback,” McGuinness wrote. “In this mock draft, they get aggressive to move up for one.”
McGuinness backed the take with numbers. “Mendoza recorded a 6.2% big-time throw rate and a 2.3% turnover-worthy play rate this season,” he wrote. He compared those marks to Cam Ward and Caleb Williams. Both recent No. 1 picks posted similar rates.
Miami is still looking at other options. Quinn Ewers made his first career start in Week 16 against Cincinnati. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards but also threw two interceptions. Even so, he showed calm and confidence at times. The Dolphins have named him the starter for the rest of the season.
Ewers now has two games to prove himself. The front office is paying close attention. If questions remain, Miami could go all in. Trading for the No. 1 pick and drafting Fernando Mendoza could quickly change the direction of the franchise.
