Ethan Bonner's Unbelievable Speed and The Miami Defense That Still Can't Fit Him In

Alright 12s, buckle up, because while we're all laser-focused on our own Hawks, there's some interesting stuff shaking down south in Miami. I know, I know, it's not Lumen Field, but you gotta keep an eye on the league, right? The big news outta Florida is they're completely blowing up their roster, heading into training camp at the end of July with a squad that looks nothing like the one that limped out of the 2025 season. We're talking a full-blown offseason overhaul, veteran departures, and a whole lot of new faces, young and old. They just signed former UFL tackle Gottlieb Ayedze, bumping their roster up to 91 players, plus an exemption for England-born tight end Seydou Traore from that International Player Pathway Program. It's a total reboot down there, and they're even ranking players by importance, not just raw talent, as they rebuild with new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and Head Coach Jeff Hafley.

Miami's Roster Shakeup: Who's Fighting For a Spot?

So, what does this mean for the guys on the fringe? Like any team trying to figure things out, not every player is created equal. The Dolphins are in the middle of a ranking series leading up to training camp, and we've got a glimpse at players 36 through 40. Think about that, number 36. These guys are on the bubble, fighting for their careers. At the bottom of this particular list, coming in at number 40, is safety Michael Taaffe. He's a rookie fifth-round pick from Texas, and while it looks like he'll make the 53-man roster, they're not seeing him in any major defensive role right now. It's tough out there for a new guy trying to find his footing.

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The Bonner Question and Other Intriguing Talent

Now, let's talk about the real head-scratcher: cornerback Ethan Bonner, ranked 39. This dude is intriguing! His teammates are always raving about his speed. Like, consistently praising it. You'd think with that kind of wheels, he'd be a guaranteed starter, but he still hasn't broken through to earn a big role on defense. The potential is clearly there, and anything could happen this summer, but Bonner has to actually get it done on the field to crack that rotation. It's a brutal reality in the NFL, speed or not. Then there's tight end Ben Sims at 38. He was a free agent pickup, and you might have thought he got pushed to the back of the line after they drafted Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore. But Sims showed in the spring he's definitely a viable option at tight end and shouldn't be dismissed. At number 37, we have edge defender David Ojabo. This former second-round pick looked the part in the spring, and with plenty of opportunities for edge rushers to step up, he could make a push for playing time. Rounding out this group at 36 is safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. A former second-round pick of the Texans, he's trying to revive his career and become a starter again. There's an opportunity, for sure, if Johnson can have a strong training camp, but even a roster spot isn't guaranteed with all the new talent.

Man, it's a grind for these guys, isn't it? As the Dolphins gear up for training camp at the end of July, all eyes will be on players like Bonner and Johnson. Can Bonner finally translate that praised speed into a defensive role? Can Johnson revive his career? These are the kinds of storylines that make the NFL so wild, even when it's not our boys in green and blue. We'll be watching to see who steps up.

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