MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins open the 2026 NFL regular season at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium. But first, they play one more preseason game Friday against the Atlanta Falcons. The roster will be cut to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
The youngest team in the NFL will eat a league-record $180 million in dead cap this season, as first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan made deliberate attempts to get "younger and cheaper" in 2026. The Dolphins also drafted a league-high 13 rookies this year, many of whom project to not only make the initial roster, but have legitimate roles early in their careers.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Dolphins.
Quarterbacks (2)
The gap between Ewers and Cam Miller is a lot closer than the one between Ewers and Willis. Neither backup was particularly impressive in their preseason debut, and it's a position that might require attention after cut day.
Running backs (4)
De'Von Achane, Ollie Gordon II, Jaylen Wright, Carlos Washington Jr.
No major surprises in the Dolphins' running backs room. The team didn't bring in much veteran competition this offseason and the top three are firmly established. Achane will be the focal point of Miami's offense, with Wright and Gordon spelling him. Washington makes the team after consistent playmaking throughout camp.
Wide receivers (6)
Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, AJ Henning, Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, Kevin Coleman Jr.
Douglas emerged as a potential lead receiver this summer, while Henning consistently made plays throughout camp -- enough to earn his place on the roster over veteran Tutu Atwell. Washington could be in line for a career season in Year 3, and Bell's return from an ACL tear midway through training camp sets up an intriguing rookie trio with Douglas and Coleman.
Tight ends (4)
Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek, Seydou Traore, Ben Sims
Dulcich is a candidate to lead the Dolphins in targets this season, and Kacmarek has proven to be an upper-tier blocker at the position. Traore is a rookie who offers upside, particularly as a receiver, and Sims offers flexibility as both a tight end and fullback.
Offensive linemen (8)
Patrick Paul, Kadyn Proctor, Aaron Brewer, Jonah Savaiinaea, Austin Jackson, Caedan Wallace, DJ Campbell, Andrew Meyer
The Dolphins bring back four starters from last season's offensive line, switching Savaiinaea to right guard and adding first-round pick Proctor at left guard. Free agent signee Jamaree Salyer will miss the entire season after being placed on injured reserve this summer, and Miami will likely add to this group after cut day.
Defensive linemen (9)
Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, David Ojabo, Cameron Goode, Max Llewellyn, Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers
Robinson turned in the best training camp of his career and the Dolphins will need him to lead this group. Miami is excited about its front seven, and it starts with its interior defensive line of Sieler, Phillips, Grant and Biggers.
Linebackers (7)
Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Jacob Rodriguez, Kyle Louis, Willie Gay Jr., Trey Moore, Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Brooks leads arguably the Dolphins' strongest position group, and second-round pick Rodriguez has made plays throughout the summer and could open the season with a starting job. Fellow rookies Louis and Moore provide position flexibility and are part of the team's future plans on defense.
Cornerbacks (6)
Chris Johnson, JuJu Brents, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, Marco Wilson, AJ. Green III
The Dolphins re-work their cornerbacks room for the second consecutive season but bring back Brents, Marshall and Bonner. Storm Duck has yet to make his return from an ACL injury he suffered last season, and is a PUP candidate. First-round pick Johnson is capable of playing multiple positions and has come along nicely this summer.
Safeties (4)
Dante Trader Jr., Lonnie Johnson Jr., Michael Taaffe, Zayne Anderson
Trader has taken on a leadership role in his second NFL season, but this room still projects an air of uncertainty. UDFA Louis Moore is a name to keep an eye on here as a bubble player.
Special teams (3)
Riley Patterson (K), Bradley Pinion (P), Tucker Addington (LS)
Patterson wins the Dolphins kicker competition after an injury to Zane Gonzalez, while Pinion replaces last year's starter Jake Bailey.
