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(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins are heading into Season 1 of their rebuild under general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Moreover, Miami did sign Malik Willis to potentially be their starting QB for the foreseeable future.

Nonetheless, if things don’t work out during the 2026 NFL season, the Dolphins could be in the market for a QB at the 2027 NFL Draft.

Furthermore, Rob Rang of FOX Sports believes that will be the case, but more importantly, he sees Miami finishing with the worst record this upcoming season. The Dolphins would edge out the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets for that spot atop the draft board.

In his 2027 mock draft, Rang has the Dolphins picking at No. 1 and selecting Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning.

“Given that nearly every pass (or run) he’s made in three years at Texas has been put under the microscope, one might guess that Manning’s career numbers (62.3% competition rate with a 35:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio) were much less impressive than they are,” Rang wrote in his April 28 article.

“Boasting a tall, strong frame, a whip of an arm, excellent straight-line speed and the mental toughness that comes with all the expectations growing up as a Manning, he is the easy favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick next spring.”

If Miami does finish with the worst record and selects Manning, should he declare for the draft, it would allow the Dolphins to have a franchise QB to build around for the foreseeable future.

Dolphins GM Explains Reason for Jacob Rodriguez Decision

While the Dolphins are looking for that leader under center for the future if that doesn’t turn out to be Willis, they might have found that on defense. On Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dolphins drafted former Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the No. 43 pick in the second round.

After making the selection on April 24, Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan spoke with the media and shared what led them to select Rodriguez, noting that they see him leading the defense in the future.

“I can’t say enough good things about Jacob and, more importantly, about the people who have been around him during his time at Texas Tech and what they say about him, not only as a football player and the intangibles but also the type of person he is,” Sullivan said. “The tape speaks for itself. He’s all over the field and makes plays everywhere.”

What Will Jacob Rodriguez Bring to Miami?

Moreover, Sullivan went into detail about the traits Rodriguez will bring to the Dolphins’ defense that make the 23-year-old a no-brainer for them.  

“His instincts are second to none,” Sullivan added. “[Rodriguez] can play in space on third downs, and he’s going to help this football team, but he’s also a leader. He’s a green-dot guy who will call the defense in time, and I think he’ll fit really well in the room with [Jordyn] Brooks and [Tyrel Dodson]. He’d be a great addition to the Miami Dolphins.”

Rodriguez put together a dominant 2025 college football season for Texas Tech, finishing with a 93.3 overall PFF grade that ranked first among 809 qualified linebackers. He also led the position in coverage with a 92.7 grade and topped all linebackers in run defense at 95.3.

As a pass rusher, his 62.2 grade ranked 452nd among qualified linebackers, showing that area as his weakest phase.

Moreover, he finished the year with 81 solo tackles, added four total pressures and one sack as a blitzer, and allowed an 82.7 passer rating when targeted in coverage. He was also credited with 17 missed tackles across the season.