Final 2026 Miami Dolphins 53-man roster Prediction: Who played their way on or off the roster?
One last 53-man roster prediction for the Miami Dolphins as the first reports of cuts across the NFL start to emerge.
The Miami Dolphins have begun the process of trimming their roster from 90+ players to just 53 men. It’s a sudden change — and one of the least enjoyable weekends in all of football. There will be dreams crushed this weekend, while others are brought to life.
How do things ultimately shake out in South Florida? Here’s one last 53-man roster prediction for this summer as the dust settles on Miami’s 17-12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 of the 2026 preseason. Here’s my best guess for the next 48 hours.
Final 2026 Miami Dolphins 53-man roster Prediction
Quarterback (3)
IN: Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers, Mystery QB
OUT: Cam Miller, Mark Gronowski
Hardest decision: Who to add among the available quarterbacks. But Ewers not playing the last two weeks probably helps his case to stay on the roster, as Cam Miller did not offer much in elevated opportunities. Miami, even if they add a new face, will need someone more familiar with their scheme to start. I’d assume that will be Ewers.
Running back (4)
IN: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II, Jarquez Hunter
OUT: Carlos Washington Jr., Donovan Edwards, FB D.J. Herman (R), Bennett Coleman
Hardest decision: Leaving Carlos Washington Jr. off. Hunter’s addition via trade eats a fourth spot and I’d be very surprised to see Miami move off of either Gordon II or Jaylen Wright unless they find a trade partner.
Wide receiver (5)
IN: Caleb Douglas (R), Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Kevin Coleman Jr. (R), Chris Bell (R)
OUT: AJ Henning, Jalen Reagor, Terrace Marshall Jr., Ryan Miller, Theo Wease Jr., Donaven McCulley (R)
Hardest decision: Risking AJ Henning. I think Jalen Reagor can be a tenured practice squad option for Miami. But Henning has shown some juice. The numbers, in my opinion, just don’t favor six wide receivers for a run-heavy offense.
Tight end (4)
IN: Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek (R), Ben Sims, Seydou Traore (R)
OUT: Jeremiah Franklin (R), Ethan Conner (R)
Hardest decision: Investing a 53-man spot on Traore versus potentially a veteran player. Traore has high, high upside. Miami drafted him in the 5th-round. They would seem invested here and likely keep him. But his play during the preseason suggested he may be more of a long-term player and not ready for a role on Sundays this fall.
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), C Andrew Meyer, Mystery OL
OUT: Charlie Heck, Gottlieb Ayedze, Josh Priebe, Kevin Cline (R), Marques Cox
Hardest decision: Finding a viable utility player on the waiver wire. This will be a tall task. But Miami’s top-seven names are fairly well separated from the pack. You just can’t go into a season with seven offensive linemen — the odds are high that someone else is going to have to play.
Defensive line (5)
IN: Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Keith Cooper Jr.
OUT: Matthew Butler, Alex Huntley, Fatorma Mulbah, Cam Rice
Hardest decision: Leaving Matthew Butler off. But Butler, who had a half-sack on Friday night, is 27 years old. I’d lean into the upside of Cooper Jr., who is four years younger.
Linebacker (6)
IN: Jordyn Brooks, Jacob Rodriguez (R), Tyrel Dodson, Kyle Louis (R), Ronnie Harrison Jr., Jackson Woodard
OUT: Cam Riley, Stephen Dix Jr. (R), Jaheim Thomas (R)
Hardest decision: None. I think these dudes can all play in some way, shape, or form. Keep ’em all.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (5)
IN: Chop Robinson, Joshua Uche, Clelin Ferrell, Willie Gay Jr., Mystery EDGE
OUT: David Ojabo, Cameron Goode, Robert Beal Jr., Max Llewellyn (R), Rodney McGraw (R), Seth Coleman-Lyles
Injured Reserve (Designated for return): Trey Moore (R)
Hardest decision: Whether or not to preemptively IR-to return Moore. If there’s any risk Moore doesn’t come back this season, perhaps Miami cuts to 52 players plus Moore, then puts him on the reserve list on Monday amid their presumed waiver claims. You’d hate to burn an IR-return designation and then not use it.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Chris Johnson Jr. (R), JuJu Brents, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, AJ Green III
OUT: Alex Austin, Miles Battle, Nick McCloud, Marco Wilson, Ahmad Harvey, Ethan Robinson, Jai’Onte’ McMillan (R)
PUP List: Darrell Baker Jr., Storm Duck
Hardest decision: Whether or not to add someone new into the mix. I would imagine the Dolphins would like to add someone. But when will Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck be ready to come back? Can they find an upgrade in waivers?
Safety (4)
IN: Dante Trader Jr., Zayne Anderson, Michael Taaffe (R), Major Burns
OUT: Louis Moore (R), Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Hardest decision: Lonnie Johnson Jr. versus Major Burns. Burns is young, long, and physical. He’s shown up around the ball as a tackler and been an impactful striker. I just think they tap into his ceiling versus Lonnie Johnson Jr., who is a 30-year old veteran.
Specialists (3)
IN: K Riley Patterson, Mystery Punter, LS Tucker Addington
OUT: P Bradley Pinion
Hardest decision: Changing out Pinion. But he’s had punts of 15, 25, 33, and 36 yards this preseason — that’s nearly 25% of his total kicks. I would have to imagine this is at least a conversation.
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