The Dolphins head into a season with little margin for error. Miami is working with one of the thinnest rosters in the league, and the schedule doesn’t do them any favors either - it ranks as the second-hardest among all 32 teams based on 2025 records.
That’s part of why the conversation around this team starts with availability. The Dolphins are projected by some to land anywhere from three to five wins, but there’s still a path to a few surprises in Jeff Hafley’s first season as head coach. For that to happen, Miami has to keep a handful of key players on the field.
De'Von Achane sits at the top of that list. The Dolphins’ third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has already put together a huge start to his career, piling up 3,057 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per attempt while also adding 172 catches for 1,277 yards and 13 scores.
With the 24-year-old likely to be the centerpiece of the offense in 2026, the margin gets razor-thin if he’s unavailable. After what Miami saw from Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II in the preseason, there isn’t much confidence in the ground game without him.
The quarterback spot is just as critical, which is why Malik Willis belongs on this list too. Miami brought him in on a three-year, $67.5 million deal to take over for Tua Tagovailoa as the starter this season. His NFL career has had uneven stretches so far, but the position itself makes the stakes obvious: if Willis isn’t on the field, the Dolphins are in trouble.
Up front, Austin Jackson is another player Miami can’t really replace. The Dolphins had several candidates on the offensive line, but the backup tackle play in training camp, joint practices and the preseason made the issue pretty clear. Jackson has also had his own durability concerns since Miami drafted him in the first round in 2020, having played more than eight games in only three of his six seasons.
And then there’s Chris Johnson, the rookie cornerback who is already being asked to carry major responsibility in Miami’s secondary. Johnson steps in as the Dolphins’ top cornerback for 2026 after earning All-Mountain West and All-American honors at San Diego State last year and becoming Miami’s first-round pick. His job won’t be simple either - he’ll be lining up against some of the league’s best wide receivers right away.
In Other News...
Dolphins Week 1 Plan Could Feature An Unexpected Rookie Factor
The Dolphins are leaning into a Week 1 plan built around the run game, with De'Von Achane and quarterback Malik Willis expected to carry much of the load behind a thin offensive line and plenty of multiple-tight-end looks. In that kind of setup, every extra blocker matters, which is why undrafted rookie DJ Herman has quickly become a name worth watching after making the 53-man roster as a converted linebacker turned fullback.
Hermans path makes him an unusual piece in the offense, but the coaching staff has already shown trust in his toughness and movement, traits that fit the role Miami seems ready to use. If the Dolphins want to protect their front and keep the ground game on schedule early in the season, Herman could wind up being more than just a developmental story. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Quietly Added A Few Names Fans May Need To Know
The Dolphins 2026 season-opening roster against the Raiders has a few late additions that might not have grabbed much attention at the time, but they could become relevant quickly once the games start. Miami brought in nine players during the final stretch of the preseason and after roster cuts, filling out the roster with under-the-radar options whose value may come from flexibility more than name recognition. For a team that usually has to juggle depth across the season, these are the kinds of moves that can look minor in September and suddenly matter in a hurry.
Among the newcomers are edge defender Herring, quarterback McCord and tight end Joly, along with several others who were added to help wherever the need pops up. Their roles will likely depend on injuries, matchup demands and how Miami wants to piece together certain spots as the year unfolds. The broader picture is clear enough even if the final answer is not: the Dolphins quietly stocked the back end of the roster with players who may not be household names yet, but could end up being part of the conversation sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Jeff Hafley Just Set The Tone For His Dolphins Debut
Jeff Hafley is about to step into his first NFL head-coaching role with the kind of clarity teams usually want from the sideline long before kickoff. For Miami, the early message has been less about nerves and more about how he intends to operate, with Hafley stressing decisiveness in game management, leaning on preparation for rookies, and showing he already has a firm read on the challenge ahead.
The Raiders bring the sort of test that can expose any hesitation, and Hafley pointed specifically to Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby as players who can tilt a game if theyre not accounted for. He also touched on the Dolphins newly named captains and on the adjustment from coaching in the booth to working on the field, which makes his debut feel like more than just a first game - its the first real look at how he plans to lead when the pressure starts for real. [Read more 🡒]