The Miami Dolphins are poised to become the epicenter of a potentially seismic NFL trade market this offseason, with a new regime facing franchise-altering decisions on several star players. This comes amid a league-wide perception of shallow free agent and draft classes, a combination that ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports could trigger an unprecedented wave of transactions as teams seek alternative paths to roster improvement.

Schefter, speaking on his podcast, framed the landscape by noting the NFL’s weak free agent pool and a draft that is not considered deep, concluding that increased “wheeling and dealing” is a distinct possibility. This environment dovetails with a potential league rule change to allow the trading of draft picks five years into the future, mirroring the NBA, which would further fuel trade activity by increasing available capital.

All eyes are now on first-year Dolphins General Manager John Eric Sullivan, whom league sources describe as a scout at heart who covets draft picks. With a mandate to rebuild and a roster containing valuable veterans he did not acquire, Sullivan’s phone is expected to ring incessantly. The organization is widely anticipated to be a seller, though the scale of the fire sale remains uncertain.

While the futures of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill are often discussed, the video analysis suggests both are more likely cap casualties due to their monumental contracts rather than trade assets. Instead, the most compelling and likely trade candidates form a core of established talent: receiver Jaylen Waddle, running back De’Von Achane, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, and tackle Austin Jackson.

Each player presents a unique calculus for the new front office. Trading Jaylen Waddle, despite his elite talent and youth, would create a cavernous void at receiver, especially with Hill’s departure. The financial incentive is minimal unless a deal is executed post-June 1, and the draft capital return would need to be overwhelming—perhaps two first-round picks—to justify gutting the position.

The case of De’Von Achane is particularly delicate. The dynamic running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract at a bargain salary, but his looming extension presents a strategic crossroads. If Sullivan is unwilling to commit a market-rate deal approaching $15-16 million annually, a preemptive trade this offseason becomes a pragmatic necessity to avoid a holdout and extract maximum value, potentially a first or high second-round pick.

The most financially motivated trade possibilities involve the veteran trio of Fitzpatrick, Chubb, and Jackson. Dealing any of the three before June 1 would create immediate cap savings, while post-June 1 trades would offer significantly greater financial relief for future seasons. Bradley Chubb, with $30 million cap hits in 2026 and 2027, is viewed as almost certainly gone via trade or release given the massive savings his departure would unlock.

Minkah Fitzpatrick, coming off a Pro Bowl-caliber season, could fetch a mid-round pick and allow the Dolphins to get younger at safety. Austin Jackson, an inconsistent tackle on an expiring deal, might net a late-round selection. The analysis suggests a willingness to trade Chubb and Jackson but a preference to retain Fitzpatrick to anchor new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s secondary.

This brewing storm of speculation underscores a pivotal moment for the Dolphins’ franchise direction. John Eric Sullivan’s actions in the coming weeks will signal whether this is a aggressive teardown or a more measured retooling. With the NFL’s trade market primed for activity due to scarce talent alternatives, Miami holds several of the most desirable chips. The decisions made on these five players will not only define the 2025 roster but will set the foundation for the Sullivan era, determining whether the Dolphins capitalize on a seller’s market or prioritize short-term competitiveness. The league is watching, and the calls are already likely coming in.