May 23, 2026, 3:59 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Miami Dolphins<\/a> moved on from several of their most talented players this offseason, including Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Darren Waller, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick.<\/p>\n This left them with a roster loaded with young players and others on inexpensive one-year deals. That, along with their tough schedule, has many believing Miami will be in contention for the top pick in the 2027 NFL draft.<\/p>\n However, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques made a bold prediction<\/a> about the Dolphins<\/a> heading into their first season under Jeff Hafley.<\/p>\n “Miami will finish the season with a .500 record… at home,” Louis-Jacques wrote. “What the Dolphins may lack in top-end talent, they’ll make up for in effort — and that’s enough to catch a few teams slipping. Hafley’s squad gets at least four wins at Hard Rock Stadium.”<\/p>\n If Miami goes 4-4 at home in 2026, they could finish with 6 or 7 wins, which could keep them from landing one of the best quarterbacks in 2027, which is expected to have a great group of prospects at the position.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n