Miami Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has already shown a willingness to sacrifice short-term talent for long-term assets. Last offseason, the Dolphins dealt Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos in a move that helped build one of the league’s largest collections of draft capital entering the 2026 NFL Draft. As the Nov. trade deadline approaches. 10, the question is whether Sullivan has one or two more steps. National analysts have identified several Dolphins as potential trade candidates, with three names coming up more often than others: Austin Jackson, Joshua Uche and Zach Sieler.
- Alain Poupart, Sports Illustrated: “Jackson is scheduled to be a free agent after the season and he has a low salary that will make him financially attractive to other teams.”
- Carter Bahns, CBS Sports: “Tackles are always in demand. He’ll be an affordable half-season rental.”
- Anthony DiMoro, Heavy: “With offensive lines like the Philadelphia Eagles decimated by departures or injuries, Jackson immediately stepped in as the starting right tackle for most offensive line-starved teams in the NFL.”
- Kyle Crabbs, Yahoo Sports: “Given his durability concerns and lack of a low contract, Jackson has the makings of an ideal insurance rental at offensive tackle for a struggling team.” Potential buyer: Jaguars, currently without standout tackle Anton Harrison.
It’s easy to see why Jackson emerged as the consensus favorite to move. Offensive-caliber starters are rarely available, and Miami has spent most of the season evaluating younger offensive linemen. If Sullivan is looking for the cleanest path to adding draft capital, it might be Jackson.
- Alex Kay, Bleacher Report: “Parting with a late-round pick to bolster the defensive front with a player who recorded 11.5 sacks as recently as the 2022 season is worth the risk.” Potential buyer: Ravens
- Dan Graziano, ESPN: “He’s a seven-year veteran who’s playing well for a team in the first year of a significant rebuild. If the Dolphins have a chance to turn this signing into a useful draft pick, it’s not a stretch to imagine them jumping on it.”
Uche presents the opposite problem. Unlike Jackson, there appears to be a real argument for keeping him: He has played well, fits the age profile of a player who can still contribute when Miami is ready to compete again and is unlikely to command a massive contract extension. The question becomes whether the Dolphins value a future draft pick more than continuing the pass rush.
- Poupart: “Sieler is coming off his best performance of the season and he remains a solid, sometimes very good, interior defensive lineman, but he will be 32 at the start of the 2026 season. That could be a problem for Miami, but not for a contender looking for help on the D-line.”
- Antwan Staley, Athlon Sports: “With no guaranteed money left on his contract after the 2026 season, the Dolphins could release Sieler next offseason. Ideally, they want at least an early Day 3 pick, possibly from a struggling team that needs interior defensive help.”
- Jason La Canfora, Casino.org: “With Sieler now in his 30s, he continues to draw double teams at the line of scrimmage despite limited help around him. As Miami looks to accumulate draft capital, Sieler has become a prime trading chip.”
Sieler is arguably Miami’s best trade chip, but he’s also the hardest player to replace. While most rebuilding teams listen when contenders call about veterans in their 30s, moving one of the locker room’s most respected veterans would send a signal that Miami is prioritizing future assets over short-term competitiveness.
While a handful of Dolphins appear in trade speculation, those three names continue to pop up in many national outlets. It’s worth noting that trading Sieler would result in a $10 million dead cap for 2026 and a $24+ million dead cap for 2027. A Jackson trade would result in a $4.5 million dead cap for 2026 and $14 million in 2027. Trading Uche would result in a dead cap for 2026 of just $600,00. (These stats courtesy of Spotrac.)
None of these players have appeared as often as Jackson, Uche, or Sieler, but each has factors that could make him expendable if Miami receives the right offer.
- Justin Carter, Fansided: “With Rodriguez and Brooks both playing 90 percent or more of the snaps, Gay’s 50 percent snap share could be replaced by getting Jackson Woodard or Liam Anderson on the field more.”
- James Brizuela, Yahoo Sports: “Tolbert may not be used in the right way with the Dolphins, but he could be a strong rotation option for another team that needs help in their wide receiver department.”
- Carter: “Anderson is 30th among safeties in the PFF grade. He’s allowed just two receptions all season and leads safeties in yards allowed per reception.”
While much of the discussion at the trade deadline focused on the Dolphins as sellers, Miami could easily explore opportunities to acquire young talent. The roster remains one of the youngest in the league, and rebuilding teams sometimes use the deadline to take chances on players who have depreciated elsewhere. The Dolphins only have $6 million and change in cap room for 2026, limiting who they can bring in. All the same, here are some names to watch out for:
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.
One of the most discussed trade targets this offseason, Thomas is two years removed from a 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown rookie season that earned him a Pro Bowl nod. He’s still young (24) and on his rookie contract, which as a former first-round pick includes a fifth-year option. His affordability and potential could cost him a Day 2 pick in the 2027 draft, making him a more expensive target than others on this list.
Vikings WR Juan Jennings
Back in the offseason, the of the Miami Herald Barry Jackson reports that the team is interested in former free agent Jennings, who ended up signing an $8 million one-year deal with the Vikings. The 29-year-old has been a dud in Minnesota this season (2 receptions for 9 yards), but the last two years Jennings has caught 15 touchdowns and 1,600 yards for the 49ers. Adding him would cost the Dolphins $2 million over the rest of the season but would give the team a reliable possession receiver already familiar with Bobby Slowik’s offense.
The Dolphins are already in need of help on the defensive line, a need that will become even more pressing if they trade Uche. Maybe they can rehab another veteran lineman in Solomon Thomas, who has 18.5 sacks and 145 tackles over a 10-year career. Now, he may have taken a bath, but with the low salary ($1-2 million) and acquisition costs, he might be worth a look.
Two years removed from a 1,200-yard Pro Bowl season, Jeudy struggled with the Browns (12 receptions for 150 yards) and was fifth on the team in receptions. The 27-year-old can be had for a Day 3 pick, and the Dolphins will only owe him about $1 million for the rest of the season. Jeudy has a non-guaranteed $22.9 million salary for 2027 that will need to be restructured.
Whether the Dolphins ultimately buy, sell or do some combination of both, the deadline should offer another glimpse into Sullivan’s long-term vision. Last offseason, he was willing to move a popular player like Jaylen Waddle in exchange for future assets. If a contender comes calling on Austin Jackson, Joshua Uche, Zach Sieler or some other veteran, we’ll see if that philosophy still applies.