Three Miami Dolphins players who whose play may not match their cost during the 2026 season
The Miami Dolphins’ payroll has been severely trimmed. With limited high-cost players on the roster, who runs the risk of not living up to the money most?
The 2026 Miami Dolphins don’t have a whole lot of expensive players left. Just five players on the team are currently scheduled to earn $10 million or more this season.
As such, finding poor value can be tough. Not impossible, though! Which is what we’re attempting to do here: identify the three 2026 player cash costs that will have a hard time being a plus value when things are said and done. I gave it my best shot.
Three Miami Dolphins players who whose play may not match their cost during the 2026 season
OT Austin Jackson
Nothing would make me happier than seeing Austin Jackson stay healthy this season. He’s had a tough go of things after being a top-20 draft pick back in 2020. The play has been respectable and he’s a consummate professional. But he’s just not been able to stay healthy. If he does it in 2026, he won’t make this list when we make our judgements at the end of the season.
Jackson took a pay cut this offseason to stay in Miami, he’s currently scheduled to play for $7 million in compensation. Jackson’s missed more than half of each of the last two seasons. It can’t happen again this year, or else this money won’t be money well spent for 2026.
OG Kadyn Proctor
Okay, hear me out. I don’t think that Proctor is going to play poorly this season. But the economics of early first-round contracts and his position switch have him ranked VERY high on several front. Proctor, after his signing bonus, is earning $16.34 million in cash this season.
That mark ranks as the third-highest on the team (Jordyn Brooks pending…) for 2026 cash. Is Proctor going to be the third-best player on the team in 2026? Boy, I hope so. What an awesome development that would be. As far as guard contracts, where Proctor will play this season? His $16.34 million in cash ranks just outside the top-10 of all NFL guards. Will he be a fringe top-10 guard this season? Boy, I hope so. What an awesome development that would be!
And this is my point. Proctor’s draft status has him getting most of his rookie contract up front and, for 2026, in strong company for his financial status. It’s a high bar that’s been set…even if it is offset by his reduced costs in 2027-2029.
*QB Tua Tagovailoa
I mean, come on. You didn’t think I wasn’t going to make a rundown of cost and not mention the $53 million dollar check written for a player that was cut, do you? Tua Tagovailoa’s value to the Atlanta Falcons this season will be immense — because the Miami Dolphins are footing the bill for his guarantees. There’s a whole lot of other players Miami could be paying with this money. But at this point, it’s water under the bridge. Just gotta grin and bear it.
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