Miami Dolphins: 3 reasons to be optimistic about the future

Reason #3: Potential draft capital

Much has been made about the Miami Dolphins’ decisions regarding their impending draft picks. In a series of transactions that took place prior to the 2021 Draft, Miami dealt away their own 2022 first round pick, but wound up acquiring the San Francisco 49ers first rounder for the same draft. At the time, it seemed like a medium risk, potentially high reward decision that reunited Tua Tagovailoa with college teammate Jaylen Waddle.

But after seeing the shortcomings that have plagued the Dolphins both on the offensive line and in the win column, the trade has begun to look like yet another draft-related mistake by Chris Greir and Miami’s front office. Had they stayed put in the 2021 Draft and avoided the trades altogether, they would have been able to select Penei Sewell to help bolster what has been an atrocious front five for the Dolphins. Or they would have had a shot at Ja’Marr Chase, who has proven to be a great pickup for the Bengals.

Sure, Miami is going to be giving the Eagles a pretty solid pick in the upcoming draft, but the situation may not be as bad as it looked early on. The 49ers have stumbled upon their own issues that seem far from being resolved, and are just one game better in the standings than the Dolphins at the time of writing. Miami should have some added confidence having finally picked up an elusive victory, and have a somewhat favorable schedule over the next five or so weeks. There is even an outside chance that the San Francisco’s pick will be higher than the one that the Dolphins traded away.

While it would be nice to be able to control their own destiny, watching the 49ers fall apart from a distance is giving a silver lining to a trade that was looking far worse not too long ago.