The Miami Dolphins have made a move that will drastically change the complexion of their franchise moving forward, as they have officially benched starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he threw an NFL-worst 15 interceptions and led his team to just a 6-8 record.
One of the problems with this move is the fact that Miami might find it difficult to replace him. The free agent market for quarterbacks is incredibly thin, and the 2026 NFL Draft is looking like a weak quarterback class after South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and USC's Jayden Maiava both returned to school.
If the Dolphins want to add a new quarterback to the mix, which may very well happen if seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers fails to impress in the final three starts of the season, that player might be coming to the team on Day 2 of the Draft. With a few extra picks, Miami will have the ammunition needed to bring someone in.
Any one of these four quarterbacks would be a welcome addition to a Dolphins team that is begging for just about anyone who can come in and provide a degree of juice with more verve than what Tagovailoa is showing off.
4 NFL Draft prospects Miami Dolphins must scout after Tua Tagovailoa's benching
4. Darian Mensah, Duke
Mensah is very skinny and doesn't have an overly strong arm, but he does have a very impressive football brain and dead-eye accuracy on intermediate passes. Mensah could benefit from another year in school, but Miami could take the Blue Devils' gunslinger if he takes advantage of the weaker class.
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Nussmeier went from getting first-round hype to struggling so noticeably with injuries that he cost himself a ton of money and Draft status. If the Dolphins get the 2024 version of Nussmeier, namely the guy who showed off great arm talent and processing ability, he could be an eventual starter.
2. Carson Beck, Miami
Beck will drive you mad with his inconsistencies, but he throws a beautiful pass and isn't shy about letting it rip down the field. With a strong performance in the College Football Playoff, Beck, who is completing almost 75% of his passes, could rise back up draft boards.
1. Ty Simpson, Alabama
Depending on his Playoff performance, Simpson could either establish himself as a Top 10 pick following a brief hiccup or fall out of the first round entirely. He's small, but the arm, accuracy, and deep ball touch are all there, and Miami needs all three of those traits in the worst way after Tagovailoa's regression.