The Miami Dolphins are heading in a new direction with a new head coach. In the press conference following the firing of Adam Gase, owner Stephen Ross made it pretty clear that his team is headed for a rebuilding stage. Ross hopes, however, that the phase of rebuilding is a short one.

Miami has been linked to free agent Trey Flowers, and the early reports are that they are the front-runners to signing him. It makes sense given Flowers relationship with Brian Flores, but money can, and likely will be, the force that prevents the pair from linking up in Miami.

Flowers is expected to ink a deal that will give him around $17 million/annually. For a team looking to rebuild that's a hefty price for any player. The Dolphins are not expected to make any big splashes, and therefore, likely to be relatively quiet once free agency begins.

Instead, the team will look towards the draft to build their foundation in hopes to become legitimate playoff contenders down the road. Miami has been stuck in mediocre purgatory for a very long time, and they are more than ready to get over that hump. The organization finally understands that in order to get there they'll likely need to take a step back first.

Miami has a number of needs across the board with only seven total selections. The most glaring of those needs, and one that has been a need for the better part of two decades is a quarterback. Sitting at pick 13, however, the top quarterbacks in this class may be off the board by then. Regardless of how the board falls in front of them, the Dolphins will be in position to land themselves a very solid player to become a pivotal part of their future.

Let's take a look at some of the options Miami may have, and what directions they could go throughout the draft process.

5. Trading up to get their Quarterback

This is not the wisest move for a team looking to rebuild given the fact of how much capital it would cost the Dolphins to do so. The last time Miami made a trade to move up in the first round was in 2013 when they selected Dion Jordan.

Jordan was an obvious bust, but the exchange to the Raiders to move from 12 to 3 wasn't very much as it essentially cost them only a second round pick. Things are different now, however, and if Miami is serious about going up to get a quarterback then they will likely need to at least jump ahead of the Giants, possibly higher. That's going to cost them a pretty penny. A second or third round pick this year or both plus a first round selection next year is a ballpark of what it could cost the Dolphins.

It's been reported that the Dolphins are already looking at the crop of quarterbacks in 2020, but nothing is a guarantee, and if they think that their franchise quarterback is in this class then it's possible they could make a move. With all of the talk surrounding Kyler Murray and the likelihood that he'll go number one overall to the Cardinals, it was quietly reported that Miami was enamored with Dwayne Haskins.

Do they love him enough to part a ton of draft capital to get him?

4. Trading Back

This is a more reasonable scenario for the Dolphins, and better off in the scheme of thinking long-term. Miami last traded back in the first round in 2016 when the Eagles agreed to send Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell in order to move up five spots.

If Miami can find a trade partner willing to part with a pick or two this year, or ideally, a first round pick next year then the Dolphins should strongly consider it. Excluding quarterback, Miami's biggest needs are pass rusher, offensive linemen, and secondary help. The good news for them is that this is a deep class at all of those positions, and they could pick up another solid player or two simply by moving down.

Should Miami sit tight at 13, and the quarterback of their liking has fallen to them then they should absolutely take him provided they believe that player can be their franchise quarterback. If not, and there is a deal on the table to move back, and pick up some additional capital then this could be the smartest move that the organization could make.

3. Drafting an Offensive Lineman

Taking an offensive lineman with the 13th pick would probably be the most unfavorable to the fan base, but it's a necessary move. The Dolphins still need help across their offensive line, and there are a wide variety of good ones in this class that can play at multiple positions.

Guys like Garrett Bradbury and Jawaan Taylor had terrific showings at the NFL Combine. Others like Jonah Williams and Cody Ford are already rated high, and could be day one starters for the Dolphins. Even if the Dolphins don't have their quarterback right away, they could get his protection for the time being.

If the Dolphins are unsuccessful in re-signing Ja'Wuan James, then offensive line become an even bigger necessity.

2. Trade for Josh Rosen

With the strong assumption that the Cardinals intend to draft Kyler Murray with the number one pick, Josh Rosen is essentially on the trade block just one year removed from Arizona trading up in front of the Dolphins to get him.

Miami's feelings on Rosen appear mixed depending on who you talk to. Leading up to last year's draft, it looked as though they had some interest, but after Arizona moved one spot ahead to snag him, they made it seem that they were never really interested to begin with.

That also could of been the attitude of Adam Gase as well, who is no longer in South Florida. Regardless, the idea of trading now for Rosen is interesting.

In no way should the Dolphins trade the #13 pick to get him. Of the five quarterbacks drafted in the first round last year, Rosen was by far the most unimpressive. A lot of that was not his fault, but the fact still stands. More importantly, the Cardinals have no leverage in the situation.

By trading Rosen, they're admitting they made a mistake last year, and teams will capitalize on that. Miami should consider giving up their second round pick, and absolutely do it for a third or fourth.

It would be a marginal cost for the Dolphins, and they may end up with their franchise guy after all. If it doesn't work out, they can simply get their guy next year. A trade for Rosen would allow the Dolphins to focus on other pressing needs in the draft.

1. Drafting a defensive player

If you weren't a believer before then the results of the NFL Combine should have proved to you that this is a deep class of defenders. For Miami, they need defensive help across the board. More than anything they need a pass rusher, but they also need a cornerback to play opposite of Xavien Howard.

The Dolphins already have a few young linebackers in Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker, but they need to figure out what their plans are for Kiko Alonso. Even if they plan to retain him, Miami doesn't have a lot of depth at linebacker. If somehow a guy like Devin White falls to them at 13, he may be too good for them to pass up.

There are a number of pass rushers in this class, and the Dolphins could simply go with the best player available at the position when it comes to their turn. The same strategy could apply for the interior linemen with at least four defensive tackles projected as top 15 selections.

Secondary is another area of concern for Miami. They, arguably, have even less depth in their secondary than they do at linebacker. Not only are they still in search for another cornerback, but questions remain at the safety position as well. It appears that the Dolphins wish to have Minkah Fitzpatrick as their full-time free safety after moving all around the place as a rookie. That would indicate that Miami would try to trade Reshad Jones or T.J. McDonald, with Jones being the likely candidate to hit the market.

No matter the situation, Miami is going to need to come out of this class with at least two secondary players to provide some depth. A pass rusher or two is also going to be necessary with Charles Harris as the only player currently certain to return.

How things fall for the Dolphins in the first round will tell a lot of how they will approach days 2 and 3. It is absolutely essential that they hit with at least their early selections or else the rebuild could last much longer than Stephen Ross would like.