Miami's 13 Draft Picks and Dozen Rookies Are Already Shaking Up Their 53-Man Roster

Alright, so the Fins just wrapped up their offseason grind, and if you think it was just some casual workouts, you're dead wrong. This "offseason program" and those six "spring practices" gave us some serious intel on what Jeff Hafley's first 53-man roster as head coach could actually look like. And let me tell you, with 13 draft picks and about a dozen rookie free agents, the competition for spots is absolutely bonkers. Miami Dolphins On SI publisher Alain Poupart just dropped his second 53-man roster projection for 2026, and there are some real eye-openers you gotta see. This isn't just shuffling names, this is a full-blown battle for future careers, and it's already heating up!

The QB Room and RB Depth Chart: Trusting the Young Guns?

First up, let's talk signal callers. It looks like Malik Willis and Quinn Ewers are holding down the fort as the two quarterbacks on the 53-man squad. That's a pretty clear picture there. Cam Miller and rookie Mark Gronowski are projected off the main roster, likely practice squad candidates. The only real question here is whether the Dolphins will stick with just two QBs on the active roster. They're betting on getting Miller or Gronowski through waivers to stash them on the practice squad, which, if it works, is a smart play for emergency depth. Now, running backs. De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, and Ollie Gordon II are the projected three. But here's the kicker: the Dolphins didn't even bring in veteran competition for those incumbent backups this offseason. That's a huge vote of confidence, right? Donovan Edwards, Carlos Washington Jr., and rookie Anthony Hankerson are all projected off. Honestly, it's tough to see any of these younger guys unseating either Gordon or Wright at this point, especially without a veteran presence pushing them. It means the spots are pretty solidified, but also puts a ton of pressure on those three to perform.

Wide Receiver Questions and a Future Star's Path

The wide receiver group is where it gets even more interesting, with six guys making the cut: Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, rookie Caleb Douglas, rookie Kevin Coleman Jr., Malik Washington, and Theo Wease Jr. That’s a lot of fresh faces vying for targets. But the name everyone should be focused on is Chris Bell. Despite being a draft pick, the source predicts he'll likely wind up starting the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Remember what GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said after the draft? Bell's selection was all about the future, not necessarily making a huge impact in 2026, especially with that November ACL injury. There’s zero reason to rush him back. This changes the dynamic significantly for the other receivers trying to prove themselves for sure, potentially opening up more immediate opportunities. Tahj Washington, A.J. Henning, Terrace Marshall Jr., Jalen Reagor, and rookie Donaven McCulley are all projected off. And for tight ends, it looks like Greg Dulcich, rookies Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore, and Ben Sims are in, with Cole Turner and fullback D.J. Herman projected off. So, what does all this mean for the upcoming season? While these are just projections, it paints a pretty clear picture of how competitive Miami's camp is going to be. With so many new faces, and some key veterans gone, keeping an eye on who emerges from this fierce competition is absolutely key for Coach Hafley's first year. This roster is still taking shape, and the fight for those final spots will be intense as we head toward the start of the regular season. We’ll definitely be watching to see who ultimately makes the cut and how these decisions impact their squad!

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