Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
Chris Grier has been the Miami Dolphins’ general manager since 2016.
Despite nearly a decade at the helm, the team has failed to reach true contender status.
While the Dolphins have made playoff appearances under his leadership, they have yet to win a postseason game, and Grier’s roster-building decisions have consistently left the team with glaring weaknesses.
His poor drafting, questionable trades, and failure to construct a well-balanced roster have held Miami back from reaching the next level.
Poor drafting decisions
One of the biggest criticisms of Grier is his inability to consistently hit on draft picks, especially in the first round.
A general manager’s job is to identify talent that will translate at the NFL level, and Grier’s decision to favour Tua Tagovailoa has put a ceiling on the Dolphins’ offense.
Additionally, Grier has wasted premium draft picks on players who have failed to develop.
His 2020 first-round selections of Austin Jackson and Noah Igbinoghene were both major misses, with Jackson struggling in pass protection and Igbinoghene barely seeing the field before being traded.
Even in recent years, his selections of players like Liam Eichenberg further prove that Grier lacks the ability to draft top-tier talent.
Poor roster construction
Beyond the draft, Grier has consistently failed to build a complete team.
While he has succeeded in acquiring star talent like Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey, his inability to construct a balanced roster has left the Dolphins vulnerable.
The offensive line has been a persistent issue during his tenure, regularly ranking among the worst in the league. This failure has not only limited the effectiveness of Miami’s offense but also put Tua in constant danger of injury.
Similarly, Grier has struggled to build a defense capable of complementing the offense. While players like Christian Wilkins and Jaelan Phillips have been hits, Miami’s defense has lacked depth and consistency.
The Dolphins have often relied on big-name acquisitions rather than developing homegrown talent, leading to an unsustainable roster-building strategy.
Conclusion
Chris Grier has had ample time to turn the Dolphins into a contender, but his repeated mistakes in drafting, free agency, and roster construction have prevented Miami from taking the next step.
As long as he remains the general manager, the Dolphins will struggle to reach their full potential.
With Stephen Ross appearing unwilling to sell the team, the Dolphins will remain on the outside looking in, for at least another year.
