The parcells formula for miami(or any rebuild project really). He has done it several times and it works. I think miami will bear witness as well:
year 1:
Cut any super-high salary players
cut any players smaller than nfl average or not fitting typical body shape(parcells is big on size and shape)
with the high picks of your sorry team, trade down for as many possible 2nd and 3rd round picks as you can
Draft in this order:
1st round(if a pick is left)-LB or DE(easiest position to evaluate for non-bust in 1st round
2nd round-Several OLinemen, bigger the better.
3rd round-several dlinemen or LBs
4th round and lower-several project qbs, several project cbs
Bring in serviceable veteran quarterback who can make all throws and handoffs
bring in a veteran mid-level wide receiver
convert a long lean OT from college to a blocking tight end
camp and preseason, churn the roster and practice squad trying out as many players from other teams as possible.
season 1: max protect conservative offense and vanilla defense
season 1: 7-9
year 2:
trade down in draft again, but not as much
1st round: another LB, DE, or possibly RB
2nd round: more OL
3rd round: RB
4th and lower rounds: several project WR and CB
depending on O-line draft prospects, might necessitate signing big mid-level Guard or tackle to solidify line
camp and preseason continue working qb prospects coaxing out intangibles
figure out best dline rotation scheme
sign a veteran safety to help defensive calls
sign a practice squad offensive veteran from each of your first four opponents to spy and eke out a few wins
season2: 9-7
year 3:
draft: 1st round: Dline or Oline
2nd round:RB
3rd round:LB or TE
4th and lower: CB and WR prospects
drop off a few of the old parcells guys and rotate some of the new talent into those skill positions
camp and preseason: add new schemes suiting rotated in personnel
coach hard on pass blocking especially for RBs and TEs
open up passing game playbook
solidify Dline rotation(should have at least two star level LBs or DEs by now)
season 3: over power teams with size and physicality playing conservative still but much more passing
season 3: 11-5 playoffs
Basically parcells builds the oline first then two dlines, puts in veterans at skill positions until drafted talent can be trusted, and any stubborn issues trade or sign from outside. It drives fans nuts, but CB, WR, RB are almost inconsequential to the parcells plan. He just gathers a bunch of low rounders up and finds a few who wil do OK.
