{"id":312686,"date":"2026-06-19T04:15:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T04:15:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/312686\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T04:15:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T04:15:44","slug":"a-look-at-the-miami-dolphins-top-15-newcomers-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/312686\/","title":{"rendered":"A look at the Miami Dolphins\u2019 top 15 newcomers in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether we view what the Miami Dolphins are doing as a rebuild, reloading or roster renovation, the one thing that\u2019s universally understood is that South Florida\u2019s NFL team will feature a ton of new faces.<\/p>\n

Because of the releases, trades executed, and free agent decisions made this offseason by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, more than half Miami\u2019s 22 starting spots on offense and defense are open for business, and newcomers \u2014 whether rookies or free agent signees \u2014 will likely be competing for them.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a ranking of the top 15 newcomers the Dolphins added this offseason, with a projection of the roles they might fill in 2026<\/p>\n

1. Quarterback Malik Willis<\/p>\n

Barring an injury, Willis will be given the entire season to prove he is, or isn\u2019t an NFL starter in 2026 because the Dolphins have $45 million committed to him during the next two seasons. Willis\u2019 athleticism will bring a new element the Dolphins offense hasn\u2019t had since Pat White, a 2009 second-round pick who crashed and burned as an NFL quarterback. Let us hope the same doesn\u2019t happen to Willis, who joined the Dolphins having made six NFL starts in four seasons. In the offseason program he showcased a strong arm, but needs to work on accuracy and making decisions faster.<\/p>\n

2. Offensive guard Jadyn Proctor<\/p>\n

The Dolphins selected the massive Alabama offensive lineman with the 12th overall pick in the draft because they coveted his blend of size (6-foot-6, 352 pounds) and athleticism. The plan in Year 1 is to start Proctor at left guard, putting him between left tackle Patrick Paul and center Aaron Brewer as a rookie, and then eventually moving him to tackle in a season or two. The hope is that his athleticism will benefit Miami\u2019s rushing attack wherever he lines up.<\/p>\n

3. Cornerback Chris Johnson<\/p>\n

Johnson, whom the Dolphins made the second cornerback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft when he was picked 27th overall, is expected to serve as Miami\u2019s first-team nickel cornerback. Nickel is a critical spot in today\u2019s NFL because that position covers every team\u2019s slot receiver, handling roughly 700 defensive snaps a season. The hope is that Johnson will be able to seamlessly make the transition inside, and in time will eventually work as a boundary cornerback.<\/p>\n

4. Receiver Jalen Tolbert<\/p>\n

In 2024 this former third-round pick caught 49 of 79 passes thrown his way in 17 games, turning them in 610 yards and seven touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys. But the next season Dallas traded for George Pickens and Tolbert returned to his backup role. Miami presents Tolbert the opportunity to become a frontline starter, and he has quickly established himself as Willis\u2019 favorite target during the offseason program. Expect that to carry over to the regular season if Tolbert can stay healthy.<\/p>\n

5. Pass rusher Josh Uche<\/p>\n

Uche, who recorded 21.5 sacks in the 76 games he has played the past six seasons, joined the Dolphins, his hometown team, with the goal of proving he\u2019s not just a pass-rushing specialist. He has bulked up to 255 pounds and will get first crack at earning a starting edge spot opposite Chop Robinson. However, both Uche and Robinson need to prove they can effectively set the edge on run defense to lock down those starting roles.<\/p>\n

6. Tight end Will Kacmarek<\/p>\n

The Dolphins selected the former Ohio and Ohio State standout in the third round because the team felt the 6-6, 258-pounder was the 2026 draft\u2019s top in-line tight ends. He will likely compete with Ben Sims to share the tight end workload with Greg Dulcich, who is viewed as the clear-cut starter in Miami. While he has a ton to learn, Kacmarek showcases power and respectable hands.<\/p>\n

7. Pass rusher David Ojabo<\/p>\n

Ojabo, a former second-round pick whose career has been sideswiped by injuries up to this point, has an outside chance of winning a starting spot as an edge, or strong side-linebacker if he can master the defense and make impactful plays during training camp and the preseason. The Nigerian import has contributed 32 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in the 575 defensive snaps he\u2019s played the past four seasons while with the Baltimore Ravens.<\/p>\n

8. Safety Zayne Anderson<\/p>\n

Anderson, a career special teams contributor, has spent the past two seasons in Hafley\u2019s defense. Therefore, he has a better understanding of it than most of his teammates, which could put him in the driver\u2019s seat to play opposite Dante Trader Jr. as one of Miami\u2019s starting safeties. Anderson has contributed 31 tackles, intercepted one pass and forced two fumbles and broke up two passes in the 145 defensive snaps he\u2019s played for Green Bay the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

9. Receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.<\/p>\n

Coleman, the Dolphins\u2019 2026 fifth-round pick, is a polished slot receiver whose knack for learning offenses quickly and ability to get open in zone coverage should benefit Miami\u2019s offense. Especially if Malik Washington, who has developed decent chemistry with Willis, is needed to fill the starting flanker role this season. Coleman\u2019s main competition for playing time appears to be veteran receiver Tutu Atwell, who had a quiet offseason. If fellow rookie Caleb Douglas proves he\u2019s worthy of the starting flanker role then Coleman would need to unseat Washington for the slot receiver role to contribute on offense.<\/p>\n

10. Offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer<\/p>\n

Salyer, who sustained an undisclosed injury during Miami\u2019s minicamp and sat out the final week of the offseason program, is critical to the offensive line\u2019s success because this 6-4, 325-pounder appears to be the top backup at offensive guard and tackle. The 40 games Salyer started for the Los Angeles Chargers the past four years could make him Jonah Savaiinaea\u2019s top challenger for the starting right guard spot.<\/p>\n

11. Outside linebacker Kyle Louis<\/p>\n

Louis, the Dolphins\u2019 2026 fourth-round pick, will likely serve as Jordyn Brooks\u2019 backup as a rookie, but he\u2019s expected to handle what Jeff Hafley calls the \u201cbig nickel\u201d role. That means he will likely be used in certain defensive packages, serving as a coverage specialist when it comes to defending tight ends, and tailbacks coming out the backfield, gracing the field when Miami needs a defender bigger than Johnson.<\/p>\n

12. Inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s 2026 second-round pick will likely begin training camp as Tyrel Dodson\u2019s backup at inside linebacker and could very well unseat the veteran with a strong camp showing and a productive exhibition season. Rodriguez\u2019s knack for creating turnovers could give him a legit opportunity to become a rookie starter.<\/p>\n

13. Outside linebacker Trey Moore<\/p>\n

Moore, the Dolphins\u2019 2026 fourth-round pick, will compete with Willie Gay Jr. and Robert Beal Jr. for the strong-side linebacker role in Miami\u2019s 4-3 base defense. This college pass rusher is learning the intricacies of playing the linebacker position, so there might be an adjustment period.<\/p>\n

14. Receiver Caleb Douglas<\/p>\n

The Dolphins were enticed by this former Florida and Texas Tech standout\u2019s combination of size (6-4, 205 pounds) and speed (4.38 in the 40-yard dash) so much they selected him in the third round, ahead of a couple of more high-profile draft prospects. Douglas needs to become better at getting off the line of scrimmage to have an impact in the NFL.<\/p>\n

15. Receiver Tutu Atwell<\/p>\n

This Miami Northwestern product has started 27 of the 64 games he has played for the Rams the past five seasons, but he\u2019s coming off his second-worst professional season having caught just six passes in 2025. Miami provides Atwell, who has recorded 1,535 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns off 105 receptions and 16 carries, an opportunity to prove he\u2019s still the type of playmaker who can stretch the field.<\/p>\n


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