Ethan Bonner Has Insane Speed and the Dolphins' Roster Chaos Means He Has to Prove It

Alright, listen up, 12s, because while our Seahawks are always front and center in our hearts, we gotta keep an eye on the rest of the league, right? And what's going on down in Miami? The Dolphins are in absolute rebuild mode, heading into training camp at the end of July with a totally different squad than the one that finished out the 2025 season. It's an offseason overhaul that saw some serious veteran players pack their bags and a whole bunch of fresh faces, young and old, rolling in. Seriously, after their moves Monday and then signing former UFL tackle Gottlieb Ayedze on Wednesday, they've got a whopping 91 players on the roster, plus an exemption for England-born rookie tight end Seydou Traore. That's a *lot* of competition!

Miami's Massive Roster Reshuffle and the Rebuild Reality

This isn't just a few tweaks, folks. This is a full-blown organizational reset, led by new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. They're ranking every player on the team, from 1 to 91, based on ability, expected role, and how much they matter to this whole "rebuilding project." It’s a series leading up to training camp, and we just got the scoop on players 36 through 40. Think about that for a second: number 36 in importance on a team that’s trying to find its identity. This tells you everything you need to know about the stakes for these guys.

The Intriguing Talents Fighting for a Spot

So who are these players clinging to the middle of the pack? At number 40, you've got safety **Michael Taaffe**, a rookie fifth-round pick from Texas. He's practically a lock for the 53-man roster, which is b

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ig for a fifth-rounder, but the word is they're not seeing a major role for him on defense just yet. Then there's number 39, cornerback **Ethan Bonner**. This is where it gets interesting! His teammates are always raving about his speed. Like, consistently praised. But here's the kicker: he still hasn't broken through to earn a big role on defense. Nothing's stopping him this summer, but man, he *has* to get it done. The talent is there, but the execution needs to follow. At number 38 is tight end **Ben Sims**. He was a free agent signing, but then they drafted both Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore, which felt like a push to the back of the line. But don't sleep on Sims, because he showed during the spring that he's still a viable option. Edge defender **David Ojabo**, at number 37, is another guy with a chance. This former second-round pick looked the part in the spring, and with plenty of opportunities for edge rushers to make a push for playing time, he could climb the ranks fast. Rounding out this group at number 36 is safety **Lonnie Johnson Jr.** This former second-round pick from the Houston Texans is trying to revive his career and get back to being a starter. The opportunity is definitely there on this team if Johnson can put together a strong training camp. But let's be real, with all these newcomers, he's not even guaranteed a roster spot. What's clear from this is the Dolphins are an absolute question mark. Every single one of these guys is fighting for their NFL life. Will Bonner's speed finally translate into a starting gig? Can Johnson Jr. recapture his old form? We'll be watching as training camp kicks off, because this isn't just a rebuild; it's an all-out battle for survival in Miami.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.