Miami's #88 Ranked Rookie QB Mark Gronowski Has 'Microscopic' Chances, And It Tells You Everything

Alright, folks, buckle up because the Miami Dolphins are absolutely gutting their roster. We're talking a TOTAL overhaul from the squad that finished 2025. New faces everywhere, veterans shipped out, and a whole new vibe as they get ready for training camp at the end of July. They’re running with 90 players right now, plus an exemption for England-born tight end Seydou Traore, part of that International Player Pathway Program. It's a full-blown rebuild down there, spearheaded by GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. They're ranking all 90 players by their importance to the team's success for 2026, looking at ability, expected role, and what they mean for the organization's progress. And let me tell you, the first group they dropped for spots 86-90? It's a wild ride.

The Long Shots and the Familiar Faces Trying to Stick

Kicking off the bottom of this ranking at #90 is guard James Ester. This dude's got some history with Sullivan and Hafley from his two seasons in Green Bay, which is a nice leg up. But here’s the kicker: he’s trying to make a huge jump, transitioning from defensive tackle to guard. The Dolphins have some numbers at that position already, so honestly, Ester looks like a super long shot to even make the final 53-man roster. At #89, we’ve got tackle Kevin Cline. He also has a connection, having played for new assistant offensive line coach Matt Applebaum back at Boston College. Again, a familiar face, but the chances of Cline actually sticking around? Yeah, they're looking pretty slim.

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Rookie QB's Uphill Battle and Defensive Depth

Now, this is where it gets interesting, especially for a quarterback. Ranked at #88 is rookie free agent QB Mark Gronowski. This kid won two FCS titles at South Dakota State before spending a year at Iowa, so he's got some winning under his belt. But when it comes to his odds of seeing a regular season game as a rookie free agent, the report is brutal: his chances are "microscopic." Seriously, microscopic! He's even gotta beat out Cam Miller just to make the active roster, assuming the Dolphins even keep three QBs. That’s a tough look for a young signal-caller hoping to make an impact. Then, at #87, we find defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr. He’s another young gun trying to break through in a crowded position. He's looking up at veteran Zach Sieler and not one, not two, but three draft picks from last year: Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Big. That's a serious logjam for Cooper to navigate!

What's Next For This Dolphins Rebuild?

So, this is just the first taste of Miami’s player rankings as they march toward training camp. These guys at the bottom are fighting for their NFL lives, trying to prove they belong in this new-look organization. With so many new faces and such a stark rebuilding project underway, every spot is up for grabs. We’ll be watching to see who surprises everyone and who ultimately gets cut as the Dolphins try to forge a new identity.

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