NFL Analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the Miami Dolphins should draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, despite signing Malik Willis.
The Miami Dolphins upgraded their quarterback situation in a big way, landing top free agent Malik Willis. Willis was signed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract, which boils down to a two-year deal to see if he can truly lead the offense.
Despite the team taking a chance on Willis, NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky believes the Dolphins should take a chance on drafting Alabama prospect Ty Simpson.
Miami is taking a big risk by bringing in Willis, as he has only had six starts in the NFL throughout his career. This was the biggest concern for most teams, especially in giving him a contract that exceeded $20 million per season.
Initially, the former Green Bay Packers signal caller was predicted to get $30 million per season, which would have been dubious for any team to take on.
The Dolphins instead gave him $22.5 million in hopes that he can steer the offensive ship. There is a lot of promise, and Willis showcased his elite playmaking capabilities when he filled in for the injured Jordan Love.
Still, there are concerns. That said, Orlovsky believes the Dolphins could mitigate some worry by doubling down on their quarterback prospects with Simpson.
"They can draft a wide receiver they can build around earlier in the draft, but it does make me think there's two teams ... these are the great places for the Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Arizona would be one, and Miami would be another. I know they just paid Malik Willis ... 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, think they should do their homework and entertain Ty Simpson in Miami," Orlovsky said.
Orlovsky is suggesting that the Dolphins take a wide receiver at their No. 11 overall, but when it comes to No. 30 overall, they should go with Simpson. The team acquired the additional first-round pick by trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
Simpson may very well fall to No. 30 overall, but would it be worth it for the Dolphins to draft another quarterback when there are other major roster holes to fill?
While Orlovsky's suggestion may sound a bit out there, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley have preached infusing competition into every position.
Willis would then have to compete with Simpson for the starting position. However, this would leave Quinn Ewers as an expendable prospect.
Ewers got a three-game audition in 2025 and is clearly not the prospect that the organization feels can be under center long-term. That does not mean he cannot grow into that role, but it stands to reason that he is not the guy right now.
Willis was also given a three-year deal, but it is more so be a two-year deal. Should the signal caller not pan out, the Dolphins could see if Ewers' growth is worth a chance.
Drafting Simpson in the first round or at all would be a risky endeavor since the Dolphins need to find a wide receiver, pass rusher, cornerbacks, safeties, offensive linemen, and pretty much everything else.
This team has been stretched thin due to the rebuild that Sullivan and Hafley are beginning.
That is not to say the Dolphins couldn't or shouldn't take a quarterback in the draft, but doing so in the first round would be irresponsible.