The Miami Dolphins have dropped to last place in ESPN's latest NFL power rankings following a tumultuous offseason. Key players, including Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, have been released or traded as the team rebuilds.
Key points
Dolphins dropped to last place in ESPN's power rankings
Key players released include Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill
New GM Jon-Eric Sullivan signed QB Malik Willis
Dolphins made 13 picks in the NFL draft
Last playoff win for Dolphins was in 2000
Mentioned in this story
Tua TagovailoaTyreek HillJaylen WaddleBradley ChubbMinkah FitzpatrickJon-Eric SullivanMalik Willis
Miami Dolphins
Dolphins plummet in ESPN's latest power rankings after NFL draft
It comes as no surprise, but NFL experts aren't high on the Miami Dolphins' chances this season.
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan signed a prized free-agent QB in Malik Willis and made a whomping 13 picks in April's draft, but it will take time for the new unit to round into shape for another push for Miami's first playoff win since 2000 and its first Super Bowl appearance since 1984. Just about every power ranking of NFL teams , and the latest from .
Q&A
Why did the Miami Dolphins drop in ESPN's power rankings?
The Dolphins dropped due to significant roster changes, including the release of key players like Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, and a disappointing 7-10 finish last season.
What major changes did the Dolphins make after the NFL draft?
The Dolphins signed new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, acquired quarterback Malik Willis, and made 13 draft picks to revamp the team.
When was the last time the Dolphins won a playoff game?
The Miami Dolphins last won a playoff game in 2000.
What are the Dolphins' chances for the upcoming NFL season?
Experts are skeptical about the Dolphins' chances this season, placing them near the bottom of power rankings as they rebuild their roster.
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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) rushes the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) catches a short pass and runs the ball during the game with Eastern Illinois at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Apr 22, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Parker Brailsford blocks against fellow lineman Kadyn Proctor during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.
March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.
March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) at the vertical jump station during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
4 / 13
Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) rushes the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) against the Oklahoma Sooners during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Nov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) catches a short pass and runs the ball during the game with Eastern Illinois at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Apr 22, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor during the NFL Draft prospects clinic at Hazelwood Green Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Parker Brailsford blocks against fellow lineman Kadyn Proctor during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
March 25, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor runs a drill for scouts during Pro Day in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
12 / 13
Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) at the vertical jump station during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Photos of Kadyn Proctor, Miami Dolphins' first-round NFL draft pick
Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Since ESPN's last look across the league after the Super Bowl, the Dolphins have fallen from 29th to 32nd. An impressive draft landed the Cleveland Browns tackle Spencer Fano and promising receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, leading to their climb from last in February over the New York Jets into 30th.
Miami addressed their biggest issues in the draft, especially on the offensive line, Marcel Louis-Jacque wrote in ESPN's power rankings. Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor, the No. 12 overall pick, is expected to play guard for Miami, while sixth-round pick DJ Campbell and undrafted free agent Jamaree Salyer will compete with Jonah Savaiinaea, a second-round pick last year, for the starting right guard position.
"Miami spent first- and sixth-round picks on Kadyn Proctor and DJ Campbell, respectively, adding physicality and depth to an offensive line that needed both," Louis-Jacque wrote. "... Proctor played tackle at Alabama, so he could be a long-term replacement for Austin Jackson. However, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said the team plans to play Proctor at left guard in 2026. The Dolphins want to rely on the run next season, and they've operated as such through free agency and the draft."
The Dolphins spent six picks on the defense, starting with cornerback Chris Johnson and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who won every major defensive award in college football last season. They also scooped up potential replacements for Hill and Waddle, adding Texas Tech's Caleb Douglas and Louisville's Chris Bell.
ESPN is far from the only site to list the Dolphins among the worst teams in the league in their post-draft power rankings. Here's a look at what other prominent NFL experts have said:
NFL.com ranked Miami 30th: "One pick after another, I kept thinking Miami was putting in quality work over the weekend," wrote Eric Edholm. "Normally, I'd question the wisdom of stockpiling 13 selections in a draft that few teams were excited about, but I think the Dolphins were finding treasure where others only saw trash. And you really can't gripe about much of what they did. At the very least, the Fins laid a foundation to help fill out a roster that has been bloodletting for some time now. Not all 13 of these guys are going to go on to long NFL careers, and the Kadyn Proctor debate ā were there better options? ā has merit, but I think more than half of Miami's picks have a good chance to raise this team's floor. A really nice start to the Jon-Eric Sullivan/Jeff Hafley era, I think."
Fox Sports ranked them 31st: "Their two first-round picks were good (OT Kadyn Proctor at 12, CB Chris Johnson at 27) and will help, but they need to get QB Malik Willis some playmakers," wrote Ralph Vacchiano. "Texas Tech WR Caleb Douglas was way too much of a reach in the third to fill the departed Jaylen Waddleās shoes."
CBS Sports also has the Dolphins 31st: "The rebuild is in full force," Pete Prisco wrote. "I loved that they did it in the draft. This new regime appears to know what it is doing."
Sports Illustrated does as well: "The Dolphins succeeded in the draft, insofar as they could not fail," Conor Orr wrote. "The lack of talent on the roster was so pronounced that any pick would have made sense for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Swinging at Kadyn Proctor was the right move both tonally and strategically for a team that lacked the necessary grit and toughness to execute former head coach Mike McDanielās vision.
