The Dolphins’ Ty Simpson question. And two national voices suggest QBs for Miami
If the Dolphins want the best quarterback in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, they likely would need to give up a king’s ransom to have even a small chance of trading up for Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore (if he turns pro).
That seems improbable, since the teams picking first (the Raiders) and second (the Jets) both need quarterbacks.
But for the Dolphins, that might not be the only pathway to a first-round quarterback in April. Alabama’s Ty Simpson turned pro Wednesday. And while nobody is projecting him for the Dolphins’ range at 11, he could be available in the 20s if the Dolphins develop a conviction about him and gamble on trading down from No. 11 or if they acquire another first-rounder if he’s available later in the first round.
Many quarterbacks rise as we approach the draft (Shadeur Sanders went the opposite direction), so it’s not inconceivable that a team could take Simpson in the mid- to late-teens if he impresses at his Pro Day and at the NFL Combine.
Simpson’s father, UT-Martin football coach Jason Simpson, told ESPN that his son received first-round grades from every NFL general manager they contacted.
“Nobody said second round,” Simpson said.
ESPN’s Field Yates projects Simpson to go at the end of the first round. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has him as a borderline first-rounder.
ESPN No. 2 college analyst Greg McElroy, another former Alabama quarterback, said Simpson has an edge over every other draft-eligible quarterback in one area: “He’s the most NFL-ready of all the prospects right now. Why? Because he understands matchups. He has a great feel for protections and audibles. That’s what quarterbacks have to do. If you play to 37 years old like Matt Stafford, you don’t take [a lot of] hits.
“He’s playing NFL-level offense already. Yes, he’s had to deal with a couple of ups and downs and the protection has always been a little bit dicey. [But] he’s going to make a clear and easy transition to the pros. He has that kind of upside.”
One concern is the limited college body of work. He has made just 15 starts (all this season) and struggled at times, including during a loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship.
But he threw for 3,867 yards, with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, while completing 64.5% of his passes.
“Simpson has nifty in-pocket movement, the ability to be an accurate passer and a strong arm when he can set his platform,” said Yates, who mocks him 31st.
Does picking him in Miami’s range feel like something of a reach? Probably. But if new management likes him, then he will be considered.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said he “loves Simpson” for Miami.
“If you’re Miami, go find your Bo Nix like the Broncos did,” Orlovsky said. “Find that quarterback mid first-rounder, second-rounder. And see if you can strike gold with a young player that’s cheap -- [Clemson’s] Cade Klubnik, Ty Simpson, maybe [UM’s] Carson Beck if he continues to go on a run.”
Because of the Dolphins’ immense salary cap problems — amplified by the portent of a $56 million 2026 cap hit that would come with cutting Tua Tagovailoa with a post-June 1 designation — finding a very good quarterback to come in and start next season seems very difficult for Miami to achieve.
When ESPN’s Mina Kimes this week mentioned Green Bay’s Malik Willis as an appealing Dolphins option, Orlovsky interjected that he’s “100% too expensive” because the Dolphins are in cap hell.
“Malik Willis is going to get so much money this offseason,” Orlovsky said. “I love the fit but costwise, [no].”
If Willis gets the large offers that some expect, the Dolphins would need to even further dismantle the roster to create cap space for him.
Kimes named Willis as her first choice for Miami but also suggested a trade for the Colts’ Anthony Richardson because she believes Mike McDaniel can design a creative menu of plays to capitalize on his running skills.
“If they stick with Mike McDaniel, I would love them to bring in a quarterback with elite physical tools, someone who could add to the numbers in the run game,” she said. “...Anthony Richardson is my second choice. He is not going to be too expensive.
“I understand he’s raw and has problems [with accuracy and durability] and the Colts gave up on him. But if you’re Mike McDaniel, what do you have to lose? I don’t want to see a game manager come in there. Show me something creative and interesting on the ground because we’ve seen they’re capable of that, and I would to see someone add to the numbers.”
Here’s a full look at many Dolphins quarterback options for 2026, beyond incumbent seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers.
Harbaugh update
A Dolphins’ pursuit of former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh cannot be ruled out by any means; it certainly remains a real possibility.
But three sources with direct knowledge said Miami was not one of the teams that reached out to Harbaugh immediately after he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens either late Tuesday afternoon or first thing Wednesday.
The Dolphins have been wrapping up interviews with eight general manager candidates over the past two days and that has been their focus. After those interviews, the Dolphins will discuss how they want to move forward on multiple fronts.
Miami has not announced if McDaniel, who’s under contract, is returning next season.
Here’s a look at the Dolphins’ 29 impending free agents.
This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 3:31 PM.
