Miami's 91-Man Roster Is Set, But These Young Guns Are Already on Thin Ice

Alright, 12s, even when it's not our boys tearing up Lumen, you gotta keep an eye on the league, right? And what's happening down in Miami is a full-blown roster shake-up. The Dolphins are rolling into training camp at the end of July with a squad that looks absolutely nothing like the one that wrapped up the 2025 season. We're talking a complete offseason overhaul, folks, with veterans out and new faces, both young and old, streaming in. After their latest moves, including signing former UFL tackle Gottlieb Ayedze, Miami's sitting on a whopping 91 players, plus an exemption for rookie tight end Seydou Traore from the International Player Pathway Program. It's a full-on rebuild under new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and Head Coach Jeff Hafley, and not every player is created equal when it comes to importance for the upcoming 2026 season. So, let's dive into some of the guys ranked at the bottom of the importance ladder and see what kind of uphill battle they're facing.

Defensive Line Hopefuls Face Brutal Odds

When you're fighting for a spot on the D-line, especially as a young guy, it's already tough. But for defensive tackle Alex Huntley, who's been grinding on the practice squad last season, the road ahead is seriously steep. Miami's got three 2025 draft picks coming back at defensive tackle, plus Zach Sieler already locked in. That's a stacked room, meaning Huntley needs to prove he's not just a practice squad guy but a difference-maker if he wants to even sniff the 53-man roster, let alone carve out a big role. It's similar for edge defender Rodney McGraw. He's an undrafted rookie free agent, which tells you everything you need to know about the long odds he's up against. Sure, there might be a spot open on the edge, but McGraw absolutely has to light up training camp like a Fourth of July fireworks show just to get noticed. Every rep, every snap, it's all on the line for these guys.

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Tight End Room Is Packed, Offensive Line Still a Question Mark

Talk about a loaded position group! The Dolphins went all-in on tight ends this offseason, and it makes life incredibly difficult for someone like Cole Turner. He's actually got 23 games of NFL experience under his belt, which is more than some guys entering camp. But Miami re-signed Greg Dulcich to a huge deal, brought in veteran UFA Ben Sims, and then drafted Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore before the fifth round even ended. Those four look like the clear top choices, meaning Turner's NFL experience might not be enough to overcome the sheer volume of talent they've assembled. On the offensive line, tackle Marques Cox is another second-year player battling to stick. After spending time on practice squads with the Broncos and Cardinals last year, Denver waived him in May after signing him to a future contract. That's not exactly a vote of confidence, and with Miami having a ton of other options at tackle, Cox has a monumental task ahead of him to make an impact.

So, as the Dolphins head towards training camp, it's clear the rebuild is in full swing. For these players ranked at the bottom of the importance list, like Huntley, Cox, McGraw, and Turner, every single rep is a make-or-break moment. There's no cruise control here, just pure grit and fight needed to even sniff a regular season roster spot. It's a brutal reality, but that's the NFL, folks!

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