Dolphins 2026 53-Man Roster Projection 4.0: How Things Stand One Week Before Cuts

Here's Publisher Alain Poupart's fourth 2026 roster prediction

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tutu Atwell (4) works during practice at Hard Rock Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Miami Dolphins are now a week away from having to slash their roster to the NFL-mandated limit of 53 players, with three days of practice and the preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons representing the remaining opportunities to make a final case.

At this point, though, head coach Jeff Hafley and his staff have a pretty good idea what group they'll be taking to Allegiant Stadium on September 13 for their regular season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Through 12 intrasquad practices, two joint practices and two preseason games, there has been some movement in the pecking order of the Dolphins roster, and injuries also have and will play a factor in the final composition of that roster.

With that in mind, here is Miami Dolphins On SI Publisher Alain Poupart's fourth 53-man roster projection of 2026:

DOLPHINS QUARTERBACKS (2)

On the 53: Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers

Off: Cam Miller, Mark Gronowski (R)

Changes from projection 3.0: None

Analysis: While it's entirely possible the Dolphins' No. 2 quarterback currently is on another team's roster, we'll have to go right now with the status quo and the only question continuing to be whether Cam Miller has done enough — look beyond the stats because he's not getting any help — to be kept as a third QB on the 53.

DOLPHINS RUNNING BACKS (3)

On the 53: De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II

Off: Donovan Edwards, Carlos Washington Jr.

Changes from projection 3.0: None

Analysis: There's no reason to think anything has changed the top three spots here and the only question as it's been all along is whether the Dolphins would consider keeping four, and if that happens, then Washington would be that fourth guy.

DOLPHINS WIDE RECEIVERS (6)

On the 53: Jalen Tolbert, Chris Bell (R), Caleb Douglas (R), Kevin Coleman Jr. (R), Malik Washington, Jalen Reagor

Off: Tahj Washington, A.J. Henning, Terrace Marshall Jr., Donaven McCulley (R), Tutu Atwell, Theo Wease Jr.

Changes from projection 3.0: Reagor in, Wease out

Analysis: Chris Bell remains a wild card here because he still hasn't practiced at full speed and it's not inconceivable he could begin the season on IR (with a designation to return). if he's not, then the reality is there's a free-for-all behind the three rookie draft picks and Washington.

DOLPHINS TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS (4)

On the 53: Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek (R), D.J. Herman (R), Ben Sims

Off: Cole Turner, FB Jeremiah Franklin (R), Seydou Traore (R)

Changes from projection 3 .0: Herman in, Traore out

Analysis: While we feel pretty confident about four being the target number here, what's unclear is the injury status of Ben Sims, who hasn't practiced in a few weeks, as well as whether the Dolphins actually would go ahead and cut their rookie fifth-round pick. Based on what we've seen, Herman has earned his spot as a rookie free agent.

DOLPHINS OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)

On the 53: Patrick Paul, Austin Jackson, Aaron Brewer, Jonah Savaiinaea, Kadyn Proctor (R), Charlie Heck, Andrew Meyer, Caedan Wallace, Josh Priebe

Off: Marques Cox, Kevin Cline (R), DJ Campbell (R), Jim Bonitas (R), Gottlieb Ayedze, Jamaree Salyer (IR)

Changes from projection 3 .0: Wallace and Priebe in, Salyer and Campbell out

Analysis: Teams more often than not keep eight offensive linemen, but we've been consistent in thinking the Dolphins will go with the extra player for more versatility. We've got a second rookie draft pick cut here because Priebe simply has been ahead of Campbell all summer.

DOLPHINS EDGE PLAYERS (5)

On the 53: Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, Clelin Ferrell, Robert Beal Jr., Max Llewellyn (R)

Off: David Ojabo, Rodney McGraw (R), Cameron Goode, Seth Coleman-Lyles, Trey Moore

Changes from projection 2.0: Beal and Llewelly in, Ojabo and Moore out

Analysis: The name that stands out here obviously is Moore, who we would predict at this time will start the season on IR, hopefully with a designation to return. But Jeff Hafley's words Sunday morning suggest he won't be available for at least the first month of the season, hence putting him on IR. Then we're going under the assumption that Ferrell and Beal, who have been nursing injuries, will be ready for the start of the regular season. Lastly, we had Llewellyn off the 53 up to now, but he's picked up his game. The one player tough to keep out was Goode, and it would not surprise us to see him on the 53.

DOLPHINS DEFENSIVE TACKLES (5)

On the 53: Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Matthew Butler

Off: Alex Huntley, Keith Cooper Jr., Fatorma Mulbah, Cam Rice (R)

Changes from projection 3.0: None

Analysis: Cooper and Mulbah have had their moments recently, but it's just really difficult to envision the Dolphins not wanting a little bit of veteran presence here with Sieler and Butler.

DOLPHINS LINEBACKERS (6)

On the 53: Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Jacob Rodriguez (R), Ronnie Harrison Jr., Kyle Louis (R), Jackson Woodard

Off: Willie Gay Jr., Stephen Dix Jr., Cam Riley

Changes from projection 3.0: None

Analysis: We've been consistent with this group, but injuries could become a factor. The tough call here obviously is moving on from Gay, and we absolutely could see a scenario where either he or Dodson get traded to a team in need of a veteran linebacker.

DOLPHINS CORNERBACKS (6)

On the 53: JuJu Brents, Chris Johnson (R), Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, Alex Austin, A.J. Green III

Off: Miles Battle, Darrell Baker Jr., Ahmari Harvey (R), Storm Duck, Marco Wilson, Jai'Onte' McMillan (R)

Changes from projection 3.0: None

Analysis: The first four remains pretty solid and it remains a free-for-all for the final two spots, though it's clearer than ever is that Duck and Baker likely will start the regular season on Reserve/PUP and will be out for at least the first four games. The battle for the final two spots remains as wide open as when camp started, and we could see a scenario where Wilson makes the 53.

​​DOLPHINS SAFETIES (4)

On the 53: Dante Trader Jr., Michael Taaffe (R), Zayne Anderson, Lonnie Johnson Jr.

Off: Louis Moore (R), Major Burns

Changes from projection 3.0: None

Analysis: This position also involves some kind of need for a veteran presence, which is why Johnson gets the nod over Burns and Moore. But we absolutely could see a scenario where either of the last two sneak onto the 53.

​​DOLPHINS SPECIALISTS (3)

On the 53: K Riley Patterson, P Bradley Pinion, LS Tucker Addington

Off: None

Changes from projection 3.0: None

Analysis: Once Zane Gonzalez was placed on IR (and subsequently released with an injury settlement), it makes things pretty simple here.