Miami Dolphins 53-man roster projection: Much more clarity is still needed in several position rooms for 2026
The Miami Dolphins will play their first preseason contest of the summer tonight in Washington. Who is currently well positioned to make the 53-man roster?
The Miami Dolphins‘ 53-man roster isn’t clear just yet. But it is starting to come into focus. With the preseason opener on the docket for tonight, a large chunk of the training camp period is in the rear view mirror.
So where do things stand as we speak? Here’s an updated 53-man roster forecast ahead of tonight’s preseason opener in Washington.
Miami Dolphins’ 53-man roster projection ahead of the first preseason game against the Commanders
Quarterback (2)
IN: Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers
OUT: Cam Miller
The skinny: We haven’t seen much competitiveness out of this group. Willis has had some growing pains, but he’s far and away the best option. Ewers has, by many accounts, regressed. But is it enough for Cam Miller to pass him by? I’m not ready to go there just yet — but overwhelming preseason results could change my mind. I’m not sure either backup option would command a 53-man spot if they don’t win the title of “backup”.
Running back (4)
IN: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II, Carlos Washington Jr.
OUT: Donovan Edwards, FB D.J. Herman (R)
The skinny: Carlos Washington Jr. has been one of the pleasant surprises of this year’s training camp. He’s looked good — albeit as a lower name on the depth chart. The battle between Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright could be decided by turnovers: Gordon II has struggled with ball security for stretches of camp. Washington Jr. is probably my first name off the roster in this projection. But the numbers game in the other skill groups didn’t force my hand to bump him out.
Wide receiver (5)
IN: Caleb Douglas (R), Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Kevin Coleman Jr. (R), Tutu Atwell
OUT: AJ Henning, Jalen Reagor, Terrace Marshall Jr., Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr., Donaven McCulley
NFI List: Chris Bell (R)
The skinny: No one on a veteran contract should feel comfortable here. Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. are all rookies. They’re safe…although Bell’s readiness for the start of the regular season is in question. Malik Washington is in the third-year of his rookie contract and he looks improved going into this season, as well.
Jalen Tolbert? Tutu Atwell? Terrace Marshall Jr.? Jalen Reagor? Your guess is as good as mine, gang. I’m not sure any of these guys have seize the moment. Yet…
Tight end (4)
IN: Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek (R), Ben Sims, Seydou Traore (R)
OUT: Cole Turner, Jeremiah Franklin (R)
The skinny: I’d expect the Dolphins are going to be a tight end heavy personnel group on offense. And, as an extension, I’d suspect they go heavier than the minimum. That’s good news for Seydou Traore and Ben Sims. Sims gets some extra credit for being the designated fullback on the roster, too.
Offensive line (9)
IN: LT Patrick Paul, LG Kadyn Proctor (R), C Aaron Brewer, RG Jonah Savaiinaea, RT Austin Jackson, OL Caedan Wallace, OG DJ Campbell (R), OL Jamaree Salyer, C Andrew Meyer
OUT: Gottlieb Ayedze, Charlie Heck, James Ester, Jim Bonifas (R), Josh Priebe, Kevin Cline (R), Marques Cox
The skinny: The projected starting five here is pretty stable. Behind them? The team just traded for Caedan Wallace with two years on his deal and plenty of enthusiasm from the scouting staff. Despite the lack of time on task, he feels safe. So, too, does rookie guard DJ Campbell. He’s looked the part physically while running with the lower level units — which have by and large looked overwhelmed.
Jamaree Salyer’s experience is vital as a swing player, but he’s been on ice for the past two weeks. Is there something afoot with his availability? I admittedly find myself with waning confidence in Andrew Meyer. He lacks positional flexibility and was a pet project from the former regime. But who else that can snap would take his place as the backup center? No one, for now.
Defensive line (5)
IN: Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Matthew Butler
OUT: Alex Huntley, Keith Cooper Jr., Fatorma Mulbah
The skinny: The questions with this group lie in how much each player will play — but generally speaking not who is going to make the cut. Miami has had strong votes of confidence for Sieler and Phillips, while Grant appears to have taken at least a modest step forward as a former first-round draft choice. 2025 7th-round pick Zeek Biggers is slimmed down this season and appears primed to play some “big end”. And Matthew Butler, a fringe 53-man player from last year’s group, has come on strong in the last week.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Jordyn Brooks, Jacob Rodriguez (R), Tyrel Dodson, Kyle Louis (R), Ronnie Harrison Jr.
OUT: Jackson Woodard
The skinny: Last year’s starters, plus two mid-round draft selections. Ronnie Harrison Jr. rounds out this group as someone who has flashed throughout camp. He’s a tweener player who Jeff Hafley may gravitate towards as he seeks linebackers who can play in space. The biggest question here is if Dodson will still be on the squad if he doesn’t earn a starting job to start the season.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (6)
IN: Chop Robinson, Joshua Uche, Clelin Ferrell, Robert Beal Jr., Trey Moore (R), Willie Gay Jr.
OUT: David Ojabo, Cameron Goode, Max Llewellyn (R), Mason Reiger (R), Rodney McGraw (R)
The skinny: The top duo of Robinson and Uche has generally been uncontested throughout training camp. Ferrell was a late signing, indicating he may be viewed as an upgrade over the rest of the group. He also boasts the most experience of all the depth options. Robert Beal Jr. was given a nod over several rookies and David Ojabo on the first unofficial depth chart. But this group is also cut down by the SAM linebacker post, which has rookie Trey Moore and his presumed backup, Willie Gay Jr.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Chris Johnson Jr. (R), JuJu Brents, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, Alex Austin, AJ Green III
OUT: Miles Battle, Nick McCloud, Marco Wilson, Ahmad Harvey, Ethan Robinson
PUP List: Darrell Baker Jr., Storm Duck
The skinny: The Dolphins will have some potential reinforcements waiting in Baker and Duck down the road. But Miami appears to have a preferred group of three atop the depth chart with Johnson, Brents, and Marshall. After him, Bonner has gotten strong reviews from head coach Jeff Hafley. But the preseason game performance will be key.
Alex Austin has a special teams profile that should help him separate, whereas Green III has flashed sporadically through the first three weeks of camp. Miami may need the depth here to keep 6.
Safety (4)
IN: Dante Trader Jr., Zayne Anderson, Michael Taaffe (R), Lonnie Johnson Jr.
OUT: Louis Moore (R), Major Burns, Tanner Wall (R)
The skinny: The omission of Louis Moore wasn’t easy here, but thus far this group looks to have a pretty clear separation between the first few players and the rest of the group. Johnson Jr.’s experience could prove essential in what is otherwise a very inexperienced group.
Specialists (3)
IN: K Riley Patterson, P Bradley Pinion, LS Tucker Addington
OUT: N/A
The skinny: The big battle here was resolved proactively, as the Dolphins placed K Zane Anderson on injured reserve ahead of the first preseason trip of the summer. Health willing, this will be the Miami Dolphins’ group of specialists for the year ahead. Only Patterson returns from last year’s unit.
Final Word
There’s still plenty of spots up for grabs in Miami. The skill group has one or two combined available vacancies between running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers. The EDGE/LB group has one or two guys on loose footing, and I’d say the same thing for cornerback.
The big question now is who seizes the moment of the preseason contests and leaves no doubt. We’ll find out starting tonight against Washington.
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