Miami Dolphins · Franchise era 6 of 6
The speed rebuild: the Miami Dolphins story
The story in one sentence
Miami accumulated draft capital, built the league's fastest skill group and returned to the playoffs behind Mike McDaniel's motion-heavy offense.
Tua, Hill and Waddle stretch every blade of grass
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gave the era its recognizable core.
Its final meaning is still being written.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2016
What came before
Elite defenders and brief offensive revivals produced occasional playoff teams without a lasting answer at quarterback.
2017-01-08
Wild Card: Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers
- 15TradeAugust 31, 2019
August 31, 2019
The Laremy Tunsil trade tree that accelerated two rebuilds
The Texans needed immediate protection for Deshaun Watson. The Dolphins accepted a teardown package and repeatedly moved the premium selections.
To HOU2020PICKround asset+1 assets
To MIA20201STround asset+2 assetsTunsil to HoustonHOU receives Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, 2020 fourth + 1 moreMIA receives Johnson Bademosi, Julien Davenport, 2020 first · No. 26 + 2 more9 original assets · 3 outcomes tracedOpen trade → - 08TradeMarch 23, 2022
March 23, 2022
The Tyreek Hill trade and Kansas City's draft remix
The Dolphins wanted a field-tilting weapon for Tua Tagovailoa. The Chiefs chose cap flexibility and enough draft currency to rebuild the supporting cast around Patrick Mahomes.
To MIA
To KC20221STround asset20222NDround asset+3 assetsTyreek Hill to MiamiMIA receives Tyreek HillKC receives 2022 first · No. 29, 2022 second · No. 50, 2022 fourth · No. 121 + 2 more6 original assets · 4 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2023-01-15
Wild Card: Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills
2024-01-13
Wild Card: Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs
Still unfolding
Where the story stands
This chapter remains active, so its final place in franchise history is still being written.
The core