The range for the 2026 Miami Dolphins is wide enough to make the point all by itself. On one end, NFL.com sees a path to seven wins. On the other, it sees a season that bottoms out at just one.
That kind of spread fits the reality of a team that has been turned over almost everywhere under first-time general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year head coach Jeff Hafley. The roster has been reshaped across nearly every position, and the result is a season that could go in very different directions.
NFL.com’s recent “Dolphins 2026 Season Preview” video laid out both ends of that spectrum, offering a ceiling and a floor for Miami’s upcoming year.
The optimistic version stops at 7-10. In that scenario, the Dolphins are projected to beat the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, the New York Jets and New England Patriots in Weeks 7 and 8, the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10, the Jets again in Week 12, and the Chicago Bears in Week 14.
Even that best-case path leaves Miami outside the playoffs. Still, it would at least suggest some traction under the new regime.
The nightmare version is much harsher: one win and 16 losses. The video did not specify which game would be the lone victory, though the Jets would be a logical guess given that the ceiling projection has Miami sweeping the season series against New York.
After laying out the best and worst cases, the panel at the league’s official site also made its final record picks for Miami. Only Bucky Brooks had the Dolphins finishing above the 4.5-win over/under set by oddsmakers for 2026.
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Dolphins Veteran Faces Real Pressure In Miamis Crowded Linebacker Battle
Ronnie Harrison Jr. is in Miami on a one-year deal for the 2026 season, brought in as veteran depth at linebacker at a time when the Dolphins are expected to lean heavily on rookies at the position. His path is straightforward on paper and complicated in practice: Harrison spent 2025 in Atlanta as a rotational linebacker and special teams contributor, giving him the kind of experience Miami can use, but not necessarily the kind of rsum that locks down a roster spot.
For Harrison, the challenge is less about getting in the door and more about staying there in a crowded competition. The Dolphins appear to have limited room for a veteran in that mix, which puts a premium on special teams value and clean, dependable play in camp. Even with his experience, he may have to fight just to avoid ending up on the practice squad, and the margin for error is thin when younger players are being prioritized. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Rebuild Just Sparked A Surprising First Round Value Debate
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The rest of the list is where the debate really starts to sharpen. De'Von Achane, Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks, Chris Johnson, Chop Robinson and Malik Willis are all viewed as less likely to bring back that kind of return, even as Miami weighs what pieces fit the next version of the roster. Achanes contract is part of that calculus, and Grants inclusion stands out given the uneven season Barnwell points to, which makes the Dolphins internal value board feel a lot less settled than it might look on paper. [Read more 🡒]