MIAMI, FL – The Miami Dolphins have finalized their roster and depth chart following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft and the subsequent wave of undrafted free agent signings, and the picture emerging from Hard Rock Stadium is one of calculated risk, significant investment, and a stark admission of glaring weaknesses that could define the franchise’s trajectory this season. The team, under the guidance of General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel, used its 13 draft selections and a flurry of UDFA additions to reshape the roster, but the resulting depth chart reveals a squad teetering between potential contention and a full-scale rebuild, particularly on one side of the ball.
The most seismic shift in Miami’s offensive identity centers on the quarterback position, where the team has unequivocally placed its future in the hands of Malik Willis. The former Liberty standout, acquired in a blockbuster March trade and signed to a three-year, $60-plus million contract, is now the undisputed starter. The Dolphins did not select a quarterback in the draft, instead adding only South Dakota State’s Mark Gronowski as an undrafted free agent. This leaves Willis as the clear alpha, with Tyler Ewer locked in as the QB2. The battle for the third spot will be between Cam Miller and Gronowski, but the team is expected to carry only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, aiming to stash the loser on the practice squad. The front office’s faith in Willis is absolute, but the question now shifts to whether the surrounding talent can elevate him to the franchise quarterback they believe he can become.
The running back room remains a strength, anchored by the dynamic Devon Achane, who is reportedly on the verge of a contract extension. The team’s decision to not draft a running back, despite having 13 picks, speaks volumes about their confidence in securing Achane’s long-term future. The only additions came via undrafted free agency, with Texas A&M’s Le’Veon Moss and Oregon State’s Anthony Hankerson joining the fold. Moss, despite a history of injuries, is viewed as a potential challenger to Jalen Wright for the RB3 role. Wright, entering his third season, is firmly on the hot seat and must perform in training camp to secure his roster spot. The running back unit, led by Achane and supported by veterans, is expected to be a cornerstone of the offense, especially given the team’s anticipated shift to a heavy 12-personnel look.
The wide receiver position, however, is where the optimism curdles into a stark reality. Despite drafting three receivers, the Dolphins’ depth chart at this position is being described by analysts as one of the worst in the NFL. The team did not add a true alpha, and the room is headlined by a group of unproven or underwhelming veterans. Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert are currently penciled in as the starters, with Malik Washington and Kevin Coleman Jr. in the slot. Chris Bell, a third-round pick, is recovering from an injury and is not guaranteed to be ready for training camp. The team’s decision to not invest a premium pick in a top-tier wideout has left the unit thin and lacking a proven playmaker. The only saving grace is that the Las Vegas Raiders’ receiving corps might be even worse, but that is cold comfort for a team that needs to support a young quarterback.
The tight end position received a significant upgrade through the draft and free agency, with the additions of Will Kasmer and Seydou Traore. Kasmer, a seventh-round pick, is already being hailed as a fantastic blocking tight end who will be a key asset in the run game. He will pair with Ben Sims to form a formidable blocking duo. Traore, an international pathway program player, is a developmental receiving threat. The team also has Greg Dulcich, who the coaching staff is optimistic about. The room could still use a pure receiving tight end, and rumors persist about a potential trade for David Njoku, which would transform this unit into a legitimate weapon. For now, the combination of blockers and a developing pass-catcher gives the offense a new dimension, particularly in 12-personnel packages.
The offensive line is widely considered the most improved unit on the team after the draft. The selection of Caden Proctor with the 12th overall pick was a statement of intent. Proctor is expected to start immediately at left guard, a move that will shift Jonah Savaiinaea to his more natural right guard position. Savaiinaea, who struggled mightily at left tackle last season, is now in a position to succeed. If he can become an average starter, the line could be elite. The projected starting five of Paul, Proctor, Brewer, Savaiinaea, and Austin Jackson has the potential to be a top-tier unit. The battle for the right guard spot between Savaiinaea and Lamar Sal Yer will be a key storyline in camp, but the overall depth and talent along the line are the best they have been in years.
Defensively, the interior defensive line is a source of genuine excitement. The team only added one UDFA, Renee Conga, signaling confidence in the development of Kenneth Grant, Zeke Biggers, and Jordan Phillips. These young players, now entering their second season, showed significant improvement in the final months of last year. Paired with the veteran Zach Sieler, this group has the potential to be one of the best interior units in the NFL. Their ability to stop the run and generate pressure up the middle will be critical to the defense’s success.
The edge rusher position, however, is a major concern. Chop Robinson, entering his third year, is under immense pressure to produce. If he cannot replicate his rookie season form, the pass rush will be among the worst in the league. Josh Uche is a solid addition but is not a dominant force. David Ajabu is unproven, and the late-round picks and UDFAs like Max Llewellyn and Mason Rhyneger are gambles. The lack of a proven, consistent edge threat is a glaring hole that could undermine the entire defensive scheme.
The linebacker unit is arguably the best part of the entire Dolphins roster. The additions of Jacob Rodriguez and Kyle Lewis through the draft have transformed this group. Rodriguez, a rangy playmaker with four interceptions last season, is expected to be the starting middle linebacker and the defensive signal-caller. Lewis, a safety-linebacker hybrid, is the most exciting rookie on the team, poised to be a Swiss Army knife for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Pairing them with veteran Jerome Baker Brooks gives the Dolphins a versatile, athletic, and instinctive linebacker corps that can excel in coverage and run support.
The secondary is a mixed bag. At cornerback, Chris Johnson is the clear CB1. Juju Brent, a 6-3, long corner with a 4.48 40-yard dash, is expected to start opposite him after a strong two-game stretch last season before a foot injury. Jason Marshall Jr. is the likely nickel corner, but the real intrigue is at safety. The safety room is thin and unproven. Dante Trader Jr. is a smart, physical player, but Michael Taf is undersized at 190 pounds. The team added UDFA Lewis Moore from Indiana, who is expected to push for a roster spot. The battle for the final safety spots between Moore, Omar Brown, Zane Anderson, and Lonnie Johnson will be intense, but the lack of a proven, reliable deep safety is a significant vulnerability.
The defensive scheme under Jeff Hafley is expected to be multiple, with a heavy dose of 4-3 looks. The starting 11 on defense projects to be Chop Robinson and Josh Uche at edge, Kenneth Grant and Zach Sieler at defensive tackle, Jacob Rodriguez at middle linebacker, Jerome Baker Brooks at weakside linebacker, and Kyle Lewis as the big nickel. The secondary will feature Chris Johnson and Juju Brent at corner, with Dante Trader Jr. and Michael Taf at safety. This unit will rely heavily on the linebackers to stop the run and the safeties to provide deep coverage, which is a risky proposition.
Comparing the offense and defense, the offense is expected to be better early in the season. The ability to run the ball with Devon Achane behind a revamped offensive line, coupled with Malik Willis’s rushing ability, should allow the team to control the clock and play complementary football. The defense, while talented in spots, will need time to gel. The rookies, particularly at linebacker and safety, will need to adjust to the speed of the NFL. Jeff Hafley is a respected defensive coach, and the unit is expected to improve week by week, potentially becoming a pesky group by the end of the season. However, the wide receiver room and the edge rusher position remain significant question marks that could derail the entire season.
The Dolphins have made their bets. They have invested heavily in Malik Willis, the offensive line, and the linebacker corps. They have gambled on the development of young defensive linemen and the health of their running back. They have accepted that the wide receiver room is a weakness and that the edge rush is a work in progress. The 2026 season will be a test of whether these calculated risks pay off or if the franchise is headed for another long year of rebuilding. The depth chart is set, but the story of this team is far from written. The training camp battles, the contract extensions, and the inevitable injuries will all play a role in determining whether Miami is a surprise contender or a team that is simply building for the future. The answers will begin to emerge in August, but for now, the Dolphins are a team of high hopes and glaring holes, poised for a season that could go in any direction.
