The Dolphins walk into Sunday’s matchup with the Raiders carrying a roster built around young players, a pass rush short on answers, and a future cap picture that looks rougher than the present.
Miami will have more salary-cap money tied up in players not on the roster in 2026 than in players who are. That’s the kind of problem that hangs over a team, even before the season starts. On the current roster, the biggest 2026 cap hits for the Dolphins are Zach Sieler at $11.4 million, Austin Jackson at $6.9 million, Jordyn Brooks at $6.2 million, Malik Willis and Aaron Brewer at $5.7 million each, Kadyn Proctor at $4.8 million, Chop Robinson at $4 million, Chris Johnson at $3.5 million and De’Von Achane at $3.2 million.
For now, though, the focus is on Week 1 in Las Vegas. Dolphins-Raiders is set for Sunday, Sept. 13, at Allegiant Stadium, with kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Miami is also heading into the game as an underdog in the betting market. Fan Duel bettors have leaned heavily toward Las Vegas, with 86 percent taking the Raiders over the Dolphins and 53 percent backing the Raiders -3 points.
The Dolphins’ lineup will lean on youth, too. Miami is expected to rely on rookies Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman Jr., Will Kacmarek, DJ Herman, Michael Taaffe and Kyle Louis. The team may also see Seydou Traore and/or Justin Joly.
One notable roster move came with Clelin Ferrell being activated. Ferrell, who was once the fourth overall pick by the Raiders, is now on Miami’s active roster for Sunday’s game against his former team. The Dolphins are looking for pass-rush help, and outside of Chop Robinson, they are hoping Ferrell, Josh Uche, Robert Beal or Malik Herring can give them a usable complementary rush.
In Other News...
Dolphins Week 1 Decision Raises Eyebrows At One Position
Jalen Tolbert being among Miamis six inactives for its first regular-season game is the sort of opening-week roster call that immediately stands out. The Dolphins also sat cornerback Reese Taylor, guard DJ Campbell, tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick, tight end Justin Joly and emergency third quarterback Brady Cook, trimming the game-day group before the season even got fully underway.
The list is notable because Tolbert arrived with the kind of veteran profile that usually suggests at least an early role, and instead he was left on the sideline for Week 1. Miamis choices also came against a Raiders inactive list that included tight end Brock Bowers after a knee procedure, along with Aidan O'Connell as the emergency third quarterback, underscoring how quickly early-season availability can shape a game-day plan. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Face Tanking Talk Again As Their Rebuild Gets Tested
Talk of tanking has started to hover around the Dolphins again, this time with the franchise trying to work through a difficult roster and cap picture while also putting real pieces in place for the future. Miami still carries significant dead money from Tua Tagovailoas contract, and the front office has been busy making moves that point more toward stabilization than teardown, including signing quarterback Malik Willis and keeping DeVon Achane in the fold.
For a team that has already lived through accusations of intentional losing back in 2019, the optics matter almost as much as the record. The Dolphins are trying to sell a different story now, one built on rebuilding and a new culture rather than short-term sacrifice, but any season that starts with cap stress and quarterback uncertainty is going to invite the same old questions until the on-field results quiet them. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Opener Could Leave Several Depth Pieces Watching From The Sideline
The Dolphins head into their opener with a healthier roster than many teams can claim this time of year, and the clearest early issue is not who is hurt but who simply will not dress. Miami had only four players on its injury report who fully participated in recent practices, leaving the club with some real flexibility as it prepares for the Raiders.
Even so, the game-day limit means at least five players have to sit, and the bottom of the roster is where the squeeze will be felt. Clelin Ferrells elevation to the 53-man roster gives Miami another active body, but it also points to a familiar Week 1 reality for depth pieces like Justin Joly, Jackson Woodard, Julius Wood, Ryan Miller and Malik Herring, who are expected to be on the inactive list as the Dolphins sort out roles and developmental priorities. [Read more 🡒]