Ty Simpson, Miami Dolphins
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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
One of the Miami Dolphins‘ major offseason moves was signing former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract. Willis will have an opportunity to be a starter for the Dolphins, but the team should consider drafting a signal-caller in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
On March 17, Miami’s front office decided to load up on draft picks by trading Jaylen Waddle.ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the Denver Broncos will receive Waddle as well as the Dolphins’ fourth-round pick (111th overall).
Meanwhile, the Broncos will send their first-round pick (30th) and third- and fourth-round picks (94th and 130th) to Miami. With the Dolphins now having 11 draft picks, with two in the first round, could they decide to take a swing at a QB?
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the Dolphins should do their homework on former Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson.
“I think they can get a draft wide receiver that they can build around earlier in the draft,”Orlovsky said on the March 17 edition of “NFL Live.“ “But it does make me think, because there are two teams that are great places for the Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Arizona would be one, and Miami would be another.
“I know they just paid Malik Willis. I know that. But given the timeline, and given just the style of the quarterback with the style of offense that would be in Miami, at least under this regime, it makes me think, even though they signed Malik Willis, they should do their homework and entertain drafting Ty Simpson in Miami.”
Malik Willis Might Not Fit Miami’s Rebuild Timeline
Meanwhile, Yahoo! Sports’ Nate Tice questions the signing of Willis, as it doesn’t align with the Dolphins’ timeline, given the team is now entering a full-blown rebuild.
“The Malik Willis signing seems like it’s on a different timeline than the rest of the Dolphins moves,”Tice wrote on March 17 on X.
Moreover, Tice notes that Miamiaren’t doing much to allow Willis to succeed and determine whether the quarterback is a player that they want to build around.
“I understand that MIA is basically giving Willis an extended tryout to see if he has a chance to be a guy,”Tice wrote. “But, there’s not much around him to evaluate with. And it could create a tough situation if he does play decently – but not great – and you’re still in position to take a QB. What wins out? all hypotheticals, I know. Just trying to sort it out.”
What’s the Dolphins’ Plan for Malik Willis?
Finally, Tice questions whether the Dolphins will be ready to contend in the final year of Willis’ contract, which would mean extending him and paying him again.
“So, really, what’s the threshold for sticking with Willis if the year is rough?”Tice noted. “A positive is that it can make it so there is no dire need for a QB in next year’s draft if there aren’t any available. But if Willis bombs, then what happens?
“And if he’s actually the real deal, then by the time the team can push to compete, they’re going to have to re-up him and lose the advantage of a mid-tier QB contract.”