The Miami Dolphins do not have a lot of believers, which is evident in their harsh power rankings.
Having to reset and rebuild is never easy for any team. That is especially true for the Miami Dolphins, who engaged in a max exodus of top players to rebuild the organization in a major way.
With an unhealthy cap space, players like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Bradley Chubb were either released or traded. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan also filled the roster with low-cost free agent options, which is likely why the Dolphins have been with a very harsh power rankings.
There are little to no believers in the Dolphins, as there are many unknowns regarding the team. Nobody quite knows if the 13 players drafted by Sullivan and the front office will pan out, and the same can be said for how new head coach Jeff Hafley also leads them and his entire team.
That said, Miami has been with the lowest rank of ESPN's latest power rankings.
ESPN reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques did indicate that the Dolphins vastly improved their guard position, despite being ranked the lowest team.
"Miami spent first- and sixth-round picks on Kadyn Proctor and DJ Campbell, respectively, adding physicality and depth to an offensive line that needed both. It also signed Jamaree Salyer to compete for a starting job with last year's second-round pick, Jonah Savaiinaea, at right guard.
Proctor played tackle at Alabama, so he could be a long-term replacement for Austin Jackson. However, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said the team plans to play Proctor at left guard in 2026. The Dolphins want to rely on the run next season, and they've operated as such through free agency and the draft," Louis-Jacques wrote.
There are some strong points here, mainly that Sullivan did confirm the Dolphins would consider placing first-round pick Kadyn Proctor at the guard position. Should that end up being the case, he may be the left guard, while Jonah Savaiinaea moves to the right spot, where he may be far better.
Protecting quarterback Malik Willis is paramount to the team having success, and Sullivan ensured that the team got bigger and more physical there with the addition of the 6-foot-6 and 350-pound lineman in Proctor.
The rest of the roster does have some significant questions. At wide receiver, Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell lead as the proven veterans of the bunch, with rookies Calb Douglas and Chris Bell being drafted.
Bell is recovering from a torn ACL and may not be ready for training camp, though he could be ready to play in preseason.
On defense, the team still has Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, and Zach Sieler, but the secondary is also being rebuilt with rookie cornerback Chris Johnson figuring to be a Day 1 starter.
There are playmakers on both sides of the ball, but not enough to garner much hope that the Dolphins can put together a respectable season. Should they be given their usual tough schedule, there might be even less buying into the first year under Hafley and Sullivan.