Back in 2007, the Miami Dolphins were the embodiment of a team struggling to find its identity, managing to scrape together just one win in a season that was anything but a planned rebuild. Fast forward to 2026, and while the Dolphins are still in the midst of a transition, there's a sense of hope that was absent during those darker days.
The team has undergone a significant overhaul, from the front office to the coaching staff, and right down to the roster itself. Dolphins fans know it might be a rough season, but they're clinging to the prospect of a brighter future.
As the Dolphins gear up for the new season, they're not burdened with sky-high expectations. Yet, there are several position groups that could potentially hold the team back, and that's where the focus lies as training camp approaches.
Tight End
The tight end position is one area where the Dolphins are notably lacking in depth. Greg Dulchich showed promise in his debut year, but beyond him, the options are thin.
The room is filled with rookies and unproven veterans, and Ben Sims, in particular, needs to step up after an inconsistent offseason. The pressure is on as camp kicks off.
Wide Receiver
While the wide receiver corps doesn't look terrible at first glance, the reality is a bit more concerning when stacked against the rest of the league. Miami is missing a true number one and number two receiver, and even a reliable slot option is up for debate. The hope is that players like TuTu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, or Jaelan Reagar can rise to the occasion, but even then, the group ranks low compared to other NFL teams.
Safety
Second-year safety Dante Trader is a bright spot, fitting well into Jeff Hafley's defensive scheme and showing promise last season. However, with six safeties on the roster, experience is limited.
Zayne Anderson and Lonnie Johnson Jr. are the veterans of the group, but neither has secured their roster spot. Trader, with just a year under his belt, is the next most experienced, highlighting the need for growth in this unit.
Cornerback
The success of the cornerback group hinges on rookie Chris Johnson and second-year player Jason Marshall. The depth chart behind them lacks experience, and the Dolphins are still searching for a reliable starter inside. It's a challenging scenario for Jeff Hafley, but as a coach who thrives on developing young talent, he'll have ample opportunity to mold this group.
In summary, while the Dolphins are in a period of transition, there's a sense of cautious optimism. They may not be contenders just yet, but with strategic development and some players stepping up, Miami could be laying the groundwork for future success.
In Other News...
Dolphins May Already Have Another Draft Class Problem Brewing
The Dolphins draft haul from the past two years is already setting up a fresh round of front-office decisions, and the calendar is moving faster than Miami would probably like. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will have to sort through a number of contract questions after the 2026 season, with Patrick Paul headed toward a contract year in 2027 and no fifth-year option to soften the timeline.
Chop Robinson gives Miami a different kind of decision because the club does have a fifth-year option in play, and his 2026 performance figures to weigh heavily on how the Dolphins handle it. Elsewhere in that same class and the one around it, Jaylen Wright is not viewed as a sure long-term piece, Tahj Washington is fighting for a place at all, and Malik Washington has shown enough growth to look like part of the plan for now before his own contract situation comes due after 2027. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins May Have Let 5 Costly Roster Mistakes Walk Away
Miamis offseason roster churn left the front office with a familiar question: how much depth can a team afford to lose before it starts feeling the effects in the fall? The Dolphins moved on from a handful of players or let them test the market, and several of those names have already found new homes elsewhere, including stops with the Chiefs, Chargers, Giants and 49ers. For a team trying to keep pace in a competitive AFC, those are the kinds of departures that can look routine in March and a lot more significant once the games start counting.
What makes the situation worth watching is that this is not just about star power, but about the supporting cast that helps a roster hold together over a long season. Miamis decision-making around players such as Kader Kohou, Cole Strange, Elijah Campbell, Jack Jones and Alec Ingold could end up being judged less by what it saved in the moment and more by what it leaves exposed later. The real test will come when the Dolphins need reliable snaps, familiar roles and answers from the bottom and middle of the roster, and those are the spots that are hardest to replace on the fly. [Read more 🡒]
Hill And Waddle Fell Agonizingly Short Of Dolphins History
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle did plenty in Miami to leave a mark, but when it comes to the Dolphins all-time receiving yards list, both former stars ended up just short of history. O.J. McDuffie still owns the fifth and final spot on that leaderboard with 5,074 yards, a number that has become a small but stubborn benchmark for every wideout who has come through the building since.
Hill was closer than most people might realize, and Waddle was even nearer to becoming one of the five most productive receivers in franchise history. Instead, the current Miami pass-catching group is staring up at a record book that still feels a long way off, with Malik Washington leading the active receivers but nowhere near putting McDuffies place in real danger anytime soon. [Read more 🡒]