Dolphins Predicted to Add Ohio State Star in Move That Would Change Malik Willis’ Future in Miami

The Miami Dolphins are standing at a fascinating crossroads as they prepare for the 2026 season. After a turbulent few years defined by high-profile trades, salary cap gymnastics, and an endless search for stability under center, the franchise is finally daring to dream again. That dream is centered on Malik Willis, the electric quarterback who now carries the hopes of an entire organization on his shoulders.

But as any seasoned NFL observer knows, a quarterback cannot succeed in a vacuum. Even the most talented signal-callers need weapons. And according to a recent prediction from ESPN, the Dolphins are poised to make a splash in the 2027 NFL Draft by selecting Jeremiah Smith, the Ohio State star wide receiver who is already being hailed as a generational talent. This move, if it comes to fruition, would not only reshape Miami’s offense but would also fundamentally alter the trajectory of Malik Willis’ future in South Florida.

This article originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Malik Willis: The Franchise Gamble That Defines Miami’s Future

Let’s be honest: the Malik Willis experiment in Miami is a high-stakes bet. The Dolphins traded for him with the understanding that he possesses the raw arm talent, mobility, and improvisational magic that few quarterbacks in the league can replicate. Entering the 2026 season, the hope is that Willis proves he can be a franchise quarterback for this organization. If that happens, building around him in the future will be the plan.

However, a lot of what the Dolphins’ future looks like revolves around Willis. If he can be the guy the Dolphins are looking for, it’ll make their lives a lot easier. General manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel can then focus on adding complementary pieces rather than searching for another quarterback. But if Willis falters? If the Dolphins don’t have the answer at the quarterback position—something they’ve been searching for since Dan Marino retired—the decisions will be a lot different.

The pressure on Willis is immense. He is not just playing for wins; he is playing for the franchise’s entire strategic blueprint. Every snap he takes in 2026 will be evaluated not only for its immediate result but for what it means for the 2027 draft and beyond. That is why the ESPN prediction of adding Jeremiah Smith is so significant. It signals that the front office is already planning for a scenario where Willis succeeds.

• Elite arm strength – Willis can make every throw on the field, but he needs a receiver who can track the deep ball.
• Mobility threat – Willis’ legs buy time, but he needs a target who can break off routes and find soft spots in coverage.
• Chemistry building – A young quarterback and a rookie wideout can grow together for years, creating a lethal connection.

Jeremiah Smith: The Ohio State Star Who Changes Everything

For those who have been paying attention to college football, the name Jeremiah Smith has been impossible to ignore. The Ohio State star wide receiver is not just a great college player; he is a physical freak who projects as a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-3 with sub-4.4 speed, Smith possesses a rare combination of size, acceleration, and body control that defensive coordinators dread.

ESPN recently predicted the Dolphins to take Smith in the first round, and the reasoning is crystal clear. “Quarterback would be a consideration if the Dolphins pick this high, but getting a truly elite receiver would be hard to pass up, especially with the Dolphins moving on from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this offseason. Smith has a great blend of size and speed. He’s a swift vertical mover who eats up coverages in a hurry while showing exceptional strength at the catch point.”

That description should send chills down the spine of every AFC East defensive back. Smith is not a gadget player or a one-trick pony. He wins on deep routes, slants, and contested catches. He is the type of receiver who can turn a 5-yard slant into a 75-yard touchdown. For a quarterback like Willis, who thrives on explosive plays, Smith would be the ultimate weapon.

The departure of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this offseason leaves a massive void in Miami’s receiving corps. Hill, despite his age, was still a vertical threat that defenses had to respect. Waddle was the reliable chain-mover. Losing both in the same offseason is a seismic event. But it also opens the door for a new era—one built around a young quarterback and a young superstar receiver.

How Smith’s Arrival Would Reshape Malik Willis’ Role

If the Dolphins land Jeremiah Smith, the immediate impact on Malik Willis’ future would be profound. Here is the breakdown of what changes:

1. Trust in the Deep Ball
Willis has always had a cannon for an arm, but he has been hesitant to trust his receivers in tight windows. With Smith, that hesitation disappears. Smith’s ability to high-point the ball and win in contested situations means Willis can throw with confidence, knowing his receiver will come down with it. This synergy could unlock Willis’ full potential as a downfield passer.

2. Offensive Scheme Evolution
Mike McDaniel is one of the most innovative offensive minds in the NFL. With a weapon like Smith, he can install a vertical passing game that stretches the field horizontally and vertically. Defenses would be forced to respect Smith’s speed, opening up running lanes for Willis and the Dolphins’ backfield. The play-action game becomes lethal.

3. Reduced Pressure on Willis
A truly elite receiver takes pressure off the quarterback. Smith would command double teams, leaving other receivers in one-on-one coverage. This would allow Willis to play with more freedom, knowing he has a bail-out option who can win against any coverage. The result? Fewer forced throws, fewer interceptions, and higher efficiency ratings.

4. Long-Term Stability
The biggest change to Malik Willis’ future is the message it sends. By drafting Smith, the Dolphins are telling Willis: “We believe in you. We are building around you.” That vote of confidence can be transformative for a young quarterback’s confidence. It also ensures that Willis will have a top-tier receiving target for the next five years, allowing the offense to develop chemistry and continuity.

What If the Plan Fails? The Alternative Scenario

Of course, no NFL prediction is guaranteed. If Malik Willis does not develop into the franchise quarterback the Dolphins envision, then the 2027 draft could look very different. In that case, the Dolphins might be picking high enough to select a quarterback like Arch Manning or another top signal-caller. But even in that scenario, adding a receiver like Jeremiah Smith is not a waste. A young quarterback needs weapons, and Smith would be an asset regardless of who is throwing him the ball.

However, the ESPN prediction strongly suggests that the Dolphins are betting on Willis. The front office has already made moves to clear cap space and reshape the roster. Moving on from Hill and Waddle was a painful but necessary step to reset the financial books. Now, they have the draft capital to add a true number-one receiver without breaking the bank.

The key takeaway is this: Malik Willis’ future in Miami is directly tied to the talent around him. If the Dolphins surround him with a dominant receiver like Smith, he has every tool needed to succeed. If they fail to add elite talent, the burden on Willis becomes too heavy, and the franchise may be forced to start over yet again.

Final Prediction: A New Era in South Florida

As a sports journalist who has covered the NFL for years, I can tell you that the draft is always unpredictable. But the logic here is undeniable. The Miami Dolphins have a young, dynamic quarterback in Malik Willis who needs a true alpha receiver. The Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith fits that description perfectly. The departure of Hill and Waddle creates a clear need, and the 2027 draft class is loaded with receiver talent.

If the Dolphins make this pick, it will be a defining moment for the franchise. It will signal that the organization is all-in on Malik Willis. It will give fans a reason to believe that the long search for a franchise quarterback is finally over. And it will set the stage for a new era of Dolphins football—one built on speed, power, and a quarterback-receiver duo that could terrorize the AFC East for a decade.

Bold prediction: The Dolphins will select Jeremiah Smith in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft. Malik Willis will throw for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2027. And the Miami Dolphins will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. The future is bright in South Florida, and it starts with one explosive player from Ohio State.

This article originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.