The Miami Dolphins put their money where their mouth is to close one 2026 NFL Draft prospect the rest of the league forgot to draft

The lofty guarantee on one undrafted rookie’s reported deal with the Miami Dolphins is worth noticing.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Rene Konga (90) sacks Jacksonville State Gamecocks quarterback Tyler Huff (6) during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Rene Konga (90) sacks Jacksonville State Gamecocks quarterback Tyler Huff (6) during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins were not hurting for draft picks this past weekend. Miami made a grand total of 13 selections. It’s massive number that will infuse much-needed youth and athleticism into the roster. This team has a limited free agency budget for the rest of the offseason, too. It may make the aftermath of the draft the last major stand for new talent this offseason.

Making 13 picks isn’t enough to fill out an offseason roster. The Dolphins, like the rest of the league, quickly went to work on undrafted rookies on Saturday. For one such reported signing for the Dolphins, Miami reportedly put their money where their mouth is with a major guaranteed number for former Louisville defensive tackle Rene Konga.

Miami Dolphins’ guarantee to UDFA Rene Konga among tops in the NFL

Sep 27, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Rene Konga (90) sacks Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated reported on Saturday that the Dolphins were giving Konga a $287.5k guaranteed mark to sign with Miami upon the completion of the 2026 NFL Draft. If the number sounds hefty, it’s because it is.

According to Spotrac, the mark is tied for the second largest guaranteed mark of any undrafted rookie from this year’s class. Only new Cleveland Browns pass rusher Logan Fano ($310k) got a larger number of guarantees.

It would seem to suggest that Miami believes that Konga has a strong, legitimate chance to make the Dolphins’ roster this summer. And, if Konga were to be claimed after not making the team by roster cuts? The new team would assume whatever non-signing bonus portion of a contract remains. So, on one hand, there’s minimal risk for Miami to offer an aggressive guarantee. But given the team’s current cap hardship, guaranteed dollars should mean something significant. Any guarantees at all is more than a number of prominent NFL veterans can say they’ve gotten from Miami.

Related Articles