The Miami Dolphins’ offseason overhaul has left the roster looking thinner to plenty of outside observers, and that’s showing up in the way some around the league are talking about the team. After new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan helped gut and restock the depth chart, the Dolphins are being viewed by some as a club without many obvious stars.
That hasn’t stopped a few names from drawing praise lately. Running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks have all gotten positive attention. But when Bill Barnwell put together his fantasy “All-Backup Team” for ESPN on Monday morning, it was two less-heralded Dolphins who cracked the list: offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer and kicker Zane Gonzalez.
Barnwell explained the selections this way:
“Let’s get the kicker off the board! The Dolphins are one of the few teams with two veteran kickers on their roster, so Gonzalez is an easy pick for us after hitting 86.4% of his attempts last season in Atlanta. Salyer is a swing tackle who did a solid job at left tackle as a rookie in 2022 with the Chargers; having a sixth or seventh lineman with real experience on the blind side is a relative luxury.”
The kicker spot is what it is, but the Salyer nod carries real weight if Miami’s offensive line starts taking hits. Right tackle Austin Jackson has a long injury history, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he missed time. There’s also Jonah Savaiinaea at right guard, after Pro Football Focus rated him the worst guard in the league for his rough 2025 season.
If the Dolphins need help up front during the year, Salyer looks like the kind of backup who can keep things from unraveling.
In Other News...
Dolphins Fans May Finally Be Getting The Uniform Update They Crave
The latest jersey rollout around the NFL has only fueled the kind of uniform chatter Dolphins fans know well. Fanatics is selling stitched-style authentic jerseys for 30 teams, but Miami and New Orleans were left out, which has naturally led to speculation that both clubs may be headed toward something new down the line. For a fan base that has spent years debating the look, even a small omission can feel like a clue.
What makes the conversation more interesting is that any update does not necessarily have to mean a full throwback revival. The most realistic path could be a refresh built around the current identity, with changes to the color palette, striping, shading or font rather than a wholesale return to an old logo. No official announcement has been made, but the absence from this rollout has already given Dolphins supporters something to watch for, and maybe a reason to keep an eye on 2027. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Rebuild Is Drawing Brutal Reviews For One Troubling Reason
The Dolphins spent the offseason making a hard break from the roster that had defined their recent run, and the reaction around the league has been just as blunt as the moves themselves. After major changes at quarterback, in the secondary and along the defensive front, one Sporting News analyst handed Miami a D grade for the work, a verdict that reflects how much uncertainty now hangs over the teams direction.
What stands out most is how thin the margin for optimism looks right now, especially with questions still swirling around the quarterback spot and a receiver group that no longer carries the same punch. The defense has its own set of unknowns, and the overall picture is so shaky that some evaluators are already wondering whether Miami can avoid a full bottom-out in the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Jacob Rodriguez May Be Forcing A Dolphins Decision Already
The Dolphins spent a second-round pick on Jacob Rodriguez even with Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson already in the linebacking room, a move that said plenty about how Miami views the Texas Tech product. Rodriguez arrived with a different kind of background too, having spent time at quarterback before becoming a linebacker, and that versatility has helped shape the way he sees the game as he settles into the NFL.
Rodriguez has also fit quickly into the building, praising the teams facilities and the overall care Miami provides while he and the rest of the rookie class grind through their early work ahead of training camp. The bigger question now is how soon his presence starts to affect the depth chart, because when a rookie linebacker is already drawing attention in practice, the veterans around him can feel the pressure even before the pads come on. [Read more 🡒]