Miami Dolphins Post-OTAs Way-Too-Early Forecast: Projecting the starting lineup for Week 1 based on the buzz
Who will be the starters in Week 1 for the Miami Dolphins? There’s lots of time to find out. But we’ll give it a go anyway.
Good luck hitting on the Miami Dolphins‘ starting lineup this far out.
The Dolphins have wrapped up minicamp and OTA’s and are now off into their summer break. In a little over a month, the team will convene for training camp and get the ball rolling on their 2026 season. But even if there’s an eternity in football terms between now and the first game, it can’t hurt to take a crack at what the lineup is going to look like down the road. And, hey, if we get it right, you can ask me for the lottery numbers in September.
Way-Too-Early Miami Dolphins 2026 depth chart prediction for Week 1
When the Miami Dolphins take the field in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, who will be the starters? Here’s a best guess — based on a series of variables. Those include variables include ceiling & floor, familiarity with Jeff Hafley & his coaching staff, and yes. Also draft status and financial commitments. I’ll file lineups to include a starting 11 on either side, plus an additional handful of specific roles.
Projected starting offense
QUARTERBACK – Malik Willis
RUNNING BACK – De’Von Achane
WIDE RECEIVER (X) – Jalen Tolbert
WIDE RECEIVER (Z) – Caleb Douglas (R)/Tutu Atwell
WIDE RECEIVER (SLOT) – Malik Washington
TIGHT END (Y) – Greg Dulcich
LEFT TAKCLE – Patrick Paul
LEFT GUARD – Kadyn Proctor (R)
CENTER – Aaron Brewer
RIGHT GUARD – Jonah Savaiinaea
RIGHT TACKLE – Austin Jackson
Key Role Players:
IN-LINE TIGHT END: Will Kacmarek (R)
SHORT-YARDAGE BACK: Ollie Gordon II
FULLBACK: Will Kacmarek (R)
The toughest challenge here lied with the wide receiver room. I could easily see Malik Washington serving as one of the outside players, at which point I would pick 2026 fifth-round rookie Kevin Coleman Jr. to then play in the slot. As much as we’d like to drum up competition on the offensive line, I would be stunned if this healthy group of five weren’t the starters when the season rolls around.
Projected starting defense
EDGE DEFENDER – Chop Robinson
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (1-TECH) – Kenneth Grant
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (3-TECH) – Zach Sieler
EDGE DEFENDER – Joshua Uche
LINEBACKER – Jordyn Brooks
LINEBACKER – Jacob Rodriguez (R)
CORNERBACK – JuJu Brents
NICKEL DEFENDER – Chris Johnson (R)
FREE SAFETY – Zayne Anderson
STRONG SAFETY – Dante Trader Jr.
CORNERBACK – Darrell Baker Jr.
Key Role Players:
NOSE TACKLE: Jordan Phillips
BIG NICKEL (THIRD SAFETY): Kyle Louis (R)
THIRD EDGE DEFENDER: Trey Moore (R)
THIRD BASE LINEBACKER: Tyrel Dodson
The tough decisions here lie in the secondary, where Chris Johnson and Dante Trader Jr. feel like the two best bets. Availability, not talent, has been the biggest problem for JuJu Brents, so I’m leaning into his physical ability to start the season. If the Dolphins are in base defense, I would tab Brents and Johnson as the starters. The safety spot opposite Trader Jr. is equally challenging, as it seems like a limited solution no matter who you pick. I settled for the option most familiar with Hafley, a former Packer in Anderson.
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