Getty
ESPN's Dan Graziano shared a 2026 NFL schedule overreaction with Jeff Hafley and the Miami Dolphins.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano doesn’t see the Miami Dolphins competing much during head coach Jeff Hafley’s first season. The team’s roster will have a lot of new, young players, and after Thursday, the league confirmed the Dolphins tough 2026 schedule.
Miami will possess the second-toughest schedule in 2026 based on win percentages from last year.
Still, Graziano doesn’t see the Dolphins as having a clear path to the top pick in 2027. The ESPN reporter argued Thursday it’s an “overreaction” to say Miami will, for certain, get the No. 1 pick next spring.
“I’m not saying it’s impossible. I’m saying they’re going to have competition. The Cardinals, who also cleaned house on the coaching staff and don’t feature an obvious solution at quarterback, have the third-toughest strength of schedule, as the other three teams in their division each won at least 12 games (two went to the NFC Championship Game and one won the Super Bowl last season),” wrote Graziano.
“Things are going to be at least as tough for first-year Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur as they are for first-year Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley. The Raiders also have the sixth-hardest schedule and appear to be at the beginning of their own rebuild.
“Could the Dolphins end up as the league’s worst team? Sure. But right now, it’s an overreaction to assume they will.”
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb