The Miami Dolphins have a pretty clear blueprint for the season: lean on the ground game, protect the football, and let the run package set the tone. De'Von Achane gives them the burst, Malik Willis adds another layer with his legs, and the whole thing depends on an offensive line that can stay upright long enough to make it work.
That’s where DJ Herman comes in.
Herman is an undrafted rookie free agent from San Diego State who made Miami’s 53-man roster after switching from linebacker to fullback, and he could end up being one of the most important hidden pieces on the team. The Dolphins had to get creative to find a role for him, but the move looks like it paid off. He’s already shown promise in the preseason as a punishing lead blocker, and the coaching staff clearly saw enough movement and toughness to believe the conversion could stick.
"We just kind of had some outside-the-box thinking of this kid with the movement and the toughness could do it. Credit Sully and everybody and the offensive guys who watched and evaluated him.
But more credit to the player. Because that's not easy to do and he earned it."
Miami’s interest in Herman likely started with his San Diego State teammate Chris Johnson, the first-round cornerback the Dolphins were also tracking. And once the team decided Herman could work at fullback, it gave him a real path onto the roster, especially after general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan loaded up on linebackers in the draft. Then Tyrel Dodson’s surprise release opened the door even wider.
Herman fits the kind of system Miami wants to run. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is expected to lean heavily on 12 personnel because of the team’s lack of wide receiver depth, and the outside-zone roots of the offense make fullback usage more relevant than it is in most modern schemes. That’s the same lane where players like Kyle Juszczyk have thrived, and Miami has already shown comfort with the role through Alec Ingold in the past.
He also won’t be doing it alone. The Dolphins are hoping for health from their starters up front, and the combination of Achane, Willis, and a promising stretch of blockers in Patrick Paul, Kadyn Proctor, and center Aaron Brewer gives Herman a strong setup to make noise. Tight end Will Kacmarek, a rookie who is already viewed as a strong run blocker, is expected back from injury for Week 1, though his availability is not guaranteed and his workload could be managed even if he suits up.
That creates a pretty interesting fork in the road for Herman. If Kacmarek plays, Herman could benefit from the extra support. If Kacmarek doesn’t, Herman gets an even bigger chance to stand out on his own.
The matchup also sets the stage for a possible breakout moment. The Raiders have Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean lined up as their new starting linebackers, and the source material suggests that could be a favorable draw for Miami’s run-heavy plan. If the Dolphins can pull off the upset in Las Vegas, Herman could be the kind of player the all-22 crowd latches onto right away.
By the end of Week 1, he might not be a secret anymore.
In Other News...
Dolphins Have 4 Injury Risks That Could Break This Season
The Dolphins enter 2026 with very little margin for error, and that starts with how much theyre leaning on a handful of players who sit right at the center of everything they want to do. A thin roster and a difficult schedule already make the season feel precarious, and the list of key names says plenty about where the pressure is coming from. DeVon Achane gives the backfield its spark, Malik Willis is central to the offenses direction, Austin Jackson anchors the right side, and Chris Johnson is one of the pieces the defense cannot afford to lose under Jeff Hafley.
For Miami, the concern is not just whether those players can produce, but whether the team can keep them available long enough to matter. Each one carries a different kind of importance, from protecting the quarterback to stabilizing the secondary, and that kind of dependence can turn a promising plan into a fragile one very quickly. With so much riding on a small group of difference-makers, the Dolphins are built more like a team trying to survive the season than one with much room to absorb a hit. [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 🡒]