MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins’ 2026 rebuild is inevitable. In fact, it’s already started.
But we need some perspective on how long a rebuild, which should start in the trenches, might take when it comes to making the playoffs and then winning a postseason game. Looking at the current roster and projecting out for the next two years, there’s almost no way the Dolphins win a playoff game before 2027. And we could be looking at 2028 until the Dolphins are realistically equipped for a postseason win.
To test that theory, let’s take a look at the top 2026 talent in each position group on the Dolphins’ roster, consider when those players will be playoff-caliber, and when the top talent in each group could be ready to win a playoff game.
As background, the Dolphins have good draft capital in 2026 considering they have one first-round pick, one second-round pick and three third-round picks. They also have a fourth rounder, a fifth rounder and a seventh rounder.
But coach Mike McDaniel has a 30-30 regular-season record, which is a huge disappointment considering he’s coached the best talent the Dolphins have had in two decades. The Dolphins should have won a playoff game in the McDaniel era, which started in 2022.
By the way, McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa don’t seem likely to win a playoff game this year, their fourth season together with Miami off to a 2-7 start to the season. If they don’t win a playoff game next season, their fifth together, it’d mark quite a long time by NFL standards for postseason futility by a coach-quarterback duo. Further, you could argue that to win a playoff game the McDaniel-Tua duo would need more talent than it had in 2023, the most talent-rich season the franchise has had in recent memory. That type of talent influx doesn’t seem likely soon.
Having said that, here’s a look at how soon McDaniel could get the franchise the playoff win it hasn’t had since 2000:
QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Quinn Ewers
Tua is capable of winning a playoff game. But as I’ve always said, this is bigger than Tua. He needs the right supporting cast, the right coaching and the right system. If this is all on Tua’s left arm, as it’s been during the previous years of the McDaniel era, winning a playoff game might never happen. And remember, Tua’s lack of mobility and tenuous health remain concerns as much as his big-game performances (2-10 vs. playoff teams in 2023-24). Also understand that due to contract terms 2026 could be Tua’s final year with the Dolphins.
Playoff caliber: 2026;
Playoff win: Perhaps in 2026 if Tua is in the right system. Probably 2028 if it’s a QB other than Tua.
RB: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II
This is a good collection of talent but it’s unproven beyond Achane, who will likely want a new contract after this season. If Achane, the 2023 third-round pick, plays 2026 in the final year of his deal, look out. He might be too expensive to re-sign, something the Dolphins experienced while losing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and guard Robert Hunt.
Playoff caliber: 2026;
Playoff win: Maybe in 2026 if Achane stays. If Achane leaves after next season, it’s unknown.
WR: Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington
Waddle is the star of this group, and Washington is the supporting cast. That’s not much, especially if there’s an injury. This area is severely lacking in today’s pass-happy NFL. The wide receivers, who likely won’t have Tyreek Hill (serious knee injury, huge salary) after this season, need major work.
Playoff caliber: Perhaps in 2026;
Playoff win: Probably in 2027, or beyond.
TE: Darren Waller, Julian Hill
The 33-year-old Waller, who came out of retirement this summer, is on the injured reserve list. Julian Hill is growing and learning. But there’s not much top-level talent here. This area requires major help.
Playoff caliber: Maybe in 2026;
Playoff win: Probably in 2027, or beyond.
OL: C Aaron Brewer, LG Jonah Savaiinaea, RG James Daniels, LT Patrick Paul, RT Austin Jackson, C Andrew Meyer, G Cole Strange, RT Larry Borom
Paul is golden. Brewer will essentially be playing the final year of his deal in 2026. Daniels and Jackson are health risks, and Savaiinaea is a performance risk. This area needs major work among reserves, and perhaps at one or two starting positions.
Playoff caliber: Perhaps in 2026;
Playoff win: Probably in 2027, at the earliest.
DL: Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips
Sieler and Grant are both having regrettable seasons. The rest of the talent is shaky. Players such as Benito Jones and Matthew Butler are playing 2026 on one-year deals while Zeek Biggers, the 2025 seventh-round pick, is unproven. This area requires a major talent upgrade.
Playoff caliber: Maybe in 2026;
Playoff win: Probably in 2027, at the earliest.
LB: Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson
Brooks and Dodson will essentially be playing 2026 in the final year of their contracts. Chubb, 29, costs $31 million against the salary cap in each of the next two years and remains a trade candidate. Robinson has regressed since coming on midway through his rookie season last year. This area requires major work on the edges.
Playoff caliber: Probably in 2027;
Playoff win: Perhaps in 2027, but probably 2028.
DBs: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB Kader Kohou, CB Storm Duck, S Dante Trader Jr., CB JuJu Brents, CB Ethan Bonner
Fitzpatrick, 29, essentially has one more year on his deal. Kohou and Duck are both coming off season-ending knee injuries. There’s not much here now and there might be even less next year. This area requires major work.
Playoff caliber: Perhaps in 2026;
Playoff win: Probably in 2027 or beyond.
Coaching: Mike McDaniel
McDaniel had a golden opportunity in 2023, but early-season losses to Buffalo, Philadelphia and Kansas City combined with a late-season loss to Tennessee doomed the season and this entire era. The Dolphins have never recovered, going 12-19 in their past 31 games.
Playoff caliber: 2026;
Playoff win: Perhaps in 2027, if lucky.