including 13 draft picks <\/a>and about a dozen rookie free agents, competition for roster spots figures to be more heated than usual.<\/p>\nAfter watching the six spring practices open to the media, here is Miami Dolphins On SI Publisher Alain Poupart’s second 53-man roster projection of 2026:<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS QUARTERBACKS (2)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Cam Miller, Mark Gronowski (R)<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0The only question here still remains whether the Dolphins will keep only two quarterbacks, and there’s little reason at this point to think they wouldn’t be able to get either Miller or Gronowksi through waivers to keep either or both on the practice squad as an emergency third option.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS RUNNING BACKS (3)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II <\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Donovan Edwards, Carlos Washington Jr., Anthony Hankerson (R)<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0The Dolphins didn’t bring in veteran competition for their incumbent backups this offseason and we wouldn’t close the door on the idea of it happening before the start of training camp. For now, though, it’s just difficult to see any of the young backs unseating either Gordon or Wright.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS WIDE RECEIVERS (6)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Caleb Douglas (R), Kevin Coleman Jr. (R), Malik Washington, Theo Wease Jr.<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Tahj Washington, A.J. Henning, Terrace Marshall Jr., Jalen Reagor, Donaven McCulley (R), Chris Bell (R)<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0The notable name here is Bell, and our best prediction at this time is he’ll wind up starting the regular season on PUP. Remember GM Jon-Eric Sullivan’s comments after the draft that the Bell selection was made with the future in mind and not necessarily 2026. There’s no reason to rush him back from his November ACL injury.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS TIGHT ENDS\/FULLBACKS (4)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek (R), Seydou Traore (R), Ben Sims<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Cole Turner, FB D.J. Herman <\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0Dulcich and Kacmarek are the two locks here, and Herman’s performance in the spring practices open to the media might be enough to make the Dolphins think about keeping him if he can carry it into training camp.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Patrick Paul, Austin Jackson, Aaron Brewer, Jamaree Salyer, Jonah Savaiinaea, Kadyn Proctor (R), Charlie Heck, Andrew Meyer, DJ Campbell (R)<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Carter Warren, Josh Priebe, Braeden Daniels, Kion Smith, Marques Cox, Kevin Cline (R), James Ester, Jim Bonitas (R)<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0The only question here is whether the Dolphins actually will go ahead and keep nine offensive linemen when the standard number usually is eight. If the Dolphins do go with only eight, it might be difficult to keep Campbell because Meyer is valuable as the backup center and Heck is the swing tackle.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS EDGE PLAYERS (5)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, David Ojabo, Trey Moore (R), Cameron Goode<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Seth Coleman, Robert Beal Jr., Mason Reiger (R), Rodney McGraw (R), Max Llewellyn (R)<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0First off, keep in mind that Moore is listed on the official roster as an edge\/inside linebacker, though we’ll go with edge here. Including him, the first four appear pretty strong likelihoods, though it’s wide open beyond that. Goode has an edge because of his experience and special teams prowess, but he’s got a long injury history and only worked on the side in the spring. Don’t dismiss the possibility of a veteran newcomer being added before training camp kicks off.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS DEFENSIVE TACKLES (5)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Matthew Butler<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Alex Huntley, Keith Cooper Jr., Rene Konga (R), Khalil Saunders (R)<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0The Dolphins return five of their six defensive tackles from last year, including their three 2025 draft picks, so we certainly wouldn’t expect major changes here. The only real intrigue is whether one of the young players can unseat Butler.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS LINEBACKERS (6)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Jacob Rodriguez (R), Ronnie Harrison Jr., Willie Gay Jr., Kyle Louis (R)<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Jackson Woodard<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0Nothing has changed here from our post-draft projection, though again Woodard’s special teams work could earn him some consideration.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS CORNERBACKS (6)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Storm Duck, JuJu Brents, Chris Johnson (R), Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, Marco Wilson<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Ethan Robinson, Miles Battle, A.J. Green III, Darrell Baker Jr., Alex Austin<\/p>\n
Analysis: This is a tough race to handicap because Duck and Baker didn’t take part in spring practices as they rehabbed injuries. If not for his October torn ACL, Duck should be a slam dunk for this group, but now there’s some uncertainty, though we’ve still got him penciled in.<\/p>\n
\u200b\u200bDOLPHINS SAFETIES (4)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0Dante Trader Jr., Michael Taaffe (R), Zayne Anderson, Lonnie Johnson Jr.<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0Omar Brown, Louis Moore (R)<\/p>\n
Analysis:\u00a0This is another position where we’d almost anticipate a roster addition before the start of camp, but as things stand now the only question is whether Moore \u2014 the impressive rookie free agent from Indiana \u2014\u00a0can make a push for a spot.<\/p>\n
\u200b\u200bDOLPHINS SPECIALISTS (3)<\/p>\n
On the 53:\u00a0K Riley Patterson, P Bradley Pinion, LS Tucker Addington<\/p>\n
Off:\u00a0K Zane Gonzalez<\/p>\n
Analysis: The Dolphins made things easy for us at two positions since our first projection when they released punter Seth Vernon and long-snapper Taybor Pepper and left only the kicker spot in a competition. And we have to stick with the incumbent here, particularly after Patterson set a single-season Dolphins record for field goal accurary.<\/p>\n
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