Ethan Bonner Is Blazing Fast, But His Miami Career Is Still On The Brink

Alright, Seattle, listen up! While we're all about our Hawks out here at Lumen, sometimes you gotta peek at what's brewing across the league, especially when it gives you a taste of the intense grind these guys face. Over in Miami, the Dolphins are looking at a completely different squad from last season, with a massive offseason overhaul bringing in tons of new faces and shipping out some vets. They’ve stacked up 91 players, plus an exemption for England-born rookie tight end Seydou Traore, after a flurry of moves including signing former UFL tackle Gottlieb Ayedze. This team is basically starting fresh, trying to figure out who truly matters for their 2026 season success. They're ranking guys based on ability, expected role, and overall progress for their "rebuilding project," a project that kicked off with GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley coming in. And what's emerging from their list of players 36-40 is pretty wild, especially for one intriguing cornerback.

The Speedster Who Needs to Break Through

Number 39 on their list, cornerback Ethan Bonner, is seriously one of the most talked-about guys down there because of his speed. His teammates constantly rave about it! You'd think a player with that kind of praise would be a lock for a huge role, right? But the crazy part is, he still hasn't broken through on defense yet. There’s nothing stopping him from making that leap this summer when they head into training camp at the end of July, but he’s gotta *make it happen*. It’s a make-or-break situation for a guy with so much raw talent. Then you've got Ben Si

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ms, who they signed as a free agent before the Dolphins spent draft picks on both Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore. You’d think he’d be an afterthought, pushed to the back of the line, but he showed in the spring that he’s absolutely a viable option at tight end. Talk about fighting for your spot!

High Stakes for Former High Picks and Rookies

The competition isn't just for the intriguing guys like Bonner. Safety Michael Taaffe, their rookie fifth-round pick from Texas, seems like a lock for the 53-man roster. But here's the kicker: they can't even picture him having a major role on defense right now. Yikes. Meanwhile, former second-round pick David Ojabo, an edge defender, looked the part this past spring, and there are plenty of opportunities for him to snag playing time. That’s a massive chance for a guy with his draft pedigree. And then there's Lonnie Johnson Jr., another former second-round pick from the Houston Texans, who's literally trying to revive his entire career and get back to being a starter. The opportunity is there, but he needs a lights-out training camp performance. Otherwise, with all the newcomers, he isn’t even guaranteed a roster spot. That's the NFL grind, man. So, as these Dolphins prepare to reshape their entire squad, it’s a fierce battle for every single spot. The pressure is on for guys like Bonner to finally convert potential into production, and for veterans like Johnson Jr. to prove they still belong. It's a reminder that in this league, nothing is given, everything is earned. Keep an eye on these battles as the summer unfolds, because these low-ranked players are often the ones who surprise everyone and change the game.

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