Miami Dolphins 2026 Draft and Undrafted Rookie Roster Projection
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Prepared: April 26, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT
Executive Summary
Miami’s 2026 rookie class is unusually large: 13 draft picks plus a fluid group of reported undrafted free-
agent agreements, giving the new staff a real chance to reshape the back half of the 53-man roster
immediately. The Dolphins’ official draft coverage says the club finished with 13 selections, the second-
most Miami has made since the seven-round format began in 1994, and the class includes three wide
receivers, two tight ends, two linebackers, two edge players, two offensive linemen, one cornerback, and
one safety (Miami Dolphins Day 3 recap).
The strongest 53-man bets are Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas, Will
Kacmarek, Chris Bell, Trey Moore, and Kyle Louis because they combine top-140 draft capital with
Miami’s clearest needs at offensive line, cornerback, wide receiver, tight end, edge, and defensive
versatility. NFL.com listed Miami’s top draft needs as WR, CB, EDGE, OL, and S, while Sharp Football’s
pre-draft breakdown identified wide receiver, defensive back, and edge rusher as the top three needs
(NFL.com draft tracker, Sharp Football Analysis).
Among the Day 3 picks, Michael Taaffe, Kevin Coleman Jr., Seydou Traore, DJ Campbell, and Max
Llewellyn are not equal bubble players. Taaffe and Campbell have cleaner 53-man pathways because
safety and offensive line depth are stressed positions, Coleman has a returner/slot path in a wide-open
receiver room, Traore has developmental upside and NFL International Pathway context, and Llewellyn
may need to beat out another young edge or land on the practice squad (ESPN Dolphins draft analysis,
Miami Dolphins draft hub).
The best UDFA 53-man threats are Rene Konga and Mason Reiger, with Le’Veon Moss and Mark
Gronowski as priority practice-squad targets. Konga is notable because NFL.com ranked him as the No. 2
undrafted interior defensive lineman and reported him to Miami through school attribution, while
Dolphins Talk reported a $287,500 guarantee; Reiger is notable because Sports Illustrated described himas an early UDFA signing with rotational pass-rush upside after a 45-pressure season at Wisconsin
(NFL.com top UDFAs, Dolphins Talk, Sports Illustrated).
This report treats the UDFA list as reported, not final, because NFL Trade Rumors explicitly says its
tracker contains “reported signings and not official moves,” and Dolphins Wire says the reported UDFA
transactions are not official until confirmed by the team (NFL Trade Rumors UDFA tracker, Dolphins
Wire).
Projection Key
The projection bands below are judgment calls based on draft capital, positional scarcity, reported
guarantees, medical status, special-teams value, and depth-chart competition. The NFL active/inactive
roster remains 53 players, while practice squads are 16 players in 2026, or 17 if a club uses an
International Player Pathway practice-squad exemption (NFL Football Operations).
Label Lock Strong favorite Lean 53 True bubble Lean practice squad Long shot Practical meaning
Would be a shock if cut or waived.
Expected on 53 unless injured or unexpectedly poor in camp.
Clear path, but roster math or role overlap could complicate it.
Preseason performance and special teams likely decide it.
More likely developmental stash than initial 53.
Needs injuries, roster churn, or a big preseason to stick.
Verified Draft Class
Round
Pick
Player
Pos.
School
Baseline role
53-man
likelihood
Practice-
squad
likelihood
Roster read
1
12
Kadyn
Proctor
OT/G
Alabama
Starting right
guard
candidate or
swing tackle
98%
0%
Proctor’s draft slot,
size, Alabama
résumé, and Miami’s
right-side offensive-
line need make him
a 53-man lock;
ESPN reported that
Miami could cross-
train him at guard
and tackle and that
right guard is a
potential rookie-
season role (Miami
1 27
2 43
3 75
Chris
Johnson
Jacob
Rodriguez
Caleb
Douglas
CB LB
WR
San Diego
State
Texas
Tech
Texas
Tech
Starting
outside CB
candidate
Rotational or
starting off-ball
LB
Outside WR
rotation,
vertical target
97% 94% 88% 0%
1%
5%
Dolphins Day 1
recap, ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis).
Johnson is nearly a
roster lock because
Miami traded up for
him at No. 27, and
ESPN wrote that it
would be a surprise
if he does not start
because the
Dolphins lack an
established
cornerback starter
(Miami Dolphins Day
1 recap, ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis).
Rodriguez has early
defensive-player-of-
the-class potential
for Miami because
he was a top-45 pick
and the team
highlighted his
instincts,
playmaking, and
third-down value
after a 2025 season
with 128 tackles,
seven forced
fumbles, four
interceptions, and
major national
awards (Miami
Dolphins Day 2
recap).
Douglas should
make the 53
because Miami
invested a top-753 87
3 94 Will
TE Kacmarek
Chris Bell WR Ohio State
Louisville
Blocking TE,
run-game
piece
Outside/YAC
receiver once
medically
cleared
90% 82%
active or
reserve
3%
5%
pick at its thinnest
offensive position,
and ESPN noted
that there is not
much competition
ahead of him in a
receiver room being
rebuilt under a new
coordinator (Miami
Dolphins Day 2
recap, ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis).
Kacmarek is one of
the cleaner rookie-
role fits because
Miami’s staff praised
his blocking and
ESPN wrote that the
Dolphins lacked a
blocking tight end
who could solidify
that role quickly
(Miami Dolphins Day
2 recap, ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis).
Bell’s ACL recovery
is the only real roster
caveat, but a third-
round pick with his
pre-injury profile is
more likely to be
carried or protected
on a medical/reserve
pathway than
exposed; ESPN
noted that he tore
his ACL in
November and
could challenge for
playing time when4 130 4 138 5 158
Trey
Moore
Kyle Louis Michael
Taaffe
EDGE/LB Texas
LB/S Pittsburgh
S Texas
Rotational
edge rusher
Coverage LB,
nickel
package,
special teams
Third/fourth
safety, core
special teamer
74% 72% 62% 18%
20%
28%
fully healthy (Miami
Dolphins Day 2
recap, ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis).
Moore lands at a
need position, and
ESPN wrote that he
has a reasonable
rookie path to
playing time after
Miami used a fourth-
round pick on him
(ESPN Dolphins
draft analysis, Sharp
Football Analysis).
Louis is a strong 53-
man candidate
because Miami sees
him as a versatile
coverage linebacker,
and ESPN reported
that the team plans
to use his third-
down coverage skill
set after a
productive Pitt
career (ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis, Miami
Dolphins draft hub).
Taaffe’s path is
better than a typical
fifth-rounder
because Miami’s
safety room is thin
and ESPN wrote
that his instincts
could help him work
into playing time; his
college résumé also
includes extensive5 177
5 180 Kevin
Coleman
Jr.
Seydou
Traore
WR/RET TE Missouri
Mississippi
State
Slot WR, punt
returner
Developmental
F tight end
56% 50% 32%
40%
starting experience
and high-end
production at Texas
(ESPN Dolphins
draft analysis, Miami
Dolphins draft hub).
Coleman has a
viable 53-man path
because he brings
slot and return value,
but the projection
stays near the
bubble because
Miami drafted three
receivers and
already had Malik
Washington, Tutu
Atwell, Jalen
Tolbert, Theo Wease
Jr., Tahj
Washington, A.J.
Henning, and
Terrace Marshall in
the pre-draft
receiver mix (ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis, Sharp
Football Analysis).
Traore is a true
bubble player
because he is the
second tight end
Miami drafted, but
the team’s draft hub
highlights his pass-
catching production
and NFL
International
Pathway Class of
2026 background,
which could matter
if Miami tries topreserve him
through practice-
squad mechanisms
(Miami Dolphins
draft hub, NFL
Football Operations).
6 200
DJ
Campbell
G Texas
Interior OL
depth, cross-
training
candidate
61% 30%
Campbell has a
better-than-usual
sixth-round chance
because Miami
needs right-
side/interior
offensive-line depth
and ESPN reported
that the team may
cross-train him at
center and tackle
after drafting him as
a guard (ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis, Sharp
Football Analysis).
Llewellyn’s edge-
setting profile gives
him a shot, but
seventh-rounders
have to win special
teams and
Max
7 238
EDGE Iowa Llewellyn
Developmental
base edge
preseason reps;
42% 45%
ESPN wrote that he
should compete for
a roster spot, not
that he has one
secured (ESPN
Dolphins draft
analysis).
Reported UDFA Class
The UDFA list below uses the broadest reported Miami list available as of this writing. NFL Trade
Rumors lists Anthony Hankerson, Le’Veon Moss, Rene Konga, Mason Reiger, Donaven McCulley, Mark
Gronowski, Louis Moore, and Kevin Cline for Miami, while CBS confirms Hankerson, Gronowski, andReiger, NFL.com confirms Gronowski and Konga, Dolphins Wire confirms Hankerson, Konga, Reiger,
Moss, and Gronowski, and Dolphins Talk confirms Hankerson, Konga, Reiger, and McCulley (NFL Trade
Rumors UDFA tracker, CBS Sports UDFA tracker, NFL.com top UDFAs, Dolphins Wire, Dolphins Talk).
Player Pos. School Confirmation
strength
53-man
likelihood
Practice-
squad
likelihood
Roster read
Rene
DT Louisville Strong
35% 45% Konga is the top UDFA 53-man
Konga
reported
threat because NFL.com ranked
him as the No. 2 undrafted interior
defensive lineman and Dolphins
Talk reported a $287,500
guaranteed deal, which is real
priority-UDFA behavior (NFL.com
top UDFAs, Dolphins Talk).
Mason
Reiger
EDGE/LB Wisconsin Strong
reported
30% 50% Reiger has a better route than most
UDFAs because Miami needs edge
depth, SI reported that Jordan
Schultz had him signing with the
Dolphins quickly after the draft, and
his 2025 Wisconsin season included
45 pressures and five sacks (Sports
Illustrated, Sharp Football Analysis).
Le’Veon
RB Texas
Moderate
22% 48% Moss has a priority-UDFA feel
Moss
A&M
reported
because Phin Phanatic reported a
$258,000 guarantee and a Dolphins
30-visit, but injuries and a crowded
running back room keep him closer
to the practice-squad line (Phin
Phanatic, NFL Trade Rumors Moss
report, Sharp Football Analysis).
Mark
Gronowski
QB Iowa Strong
reported
20% 60% Gronowski is a strong
developmental practice-squad
candidate because NFL.com ranked
him as the No. 4 undrafted
quarterback and linked him to
Miami through Tom Pelissero, but
Miami already has Malik Willis,
Quinn Ewers, and Cam Miller on the
quarterback depth chart in Sharp’s
pre-draft roster context (NFL.comLouis
Moore
Anthony
Hankerson
Donaven
McCulley
Kevin
Cline
S Indiana RB Oregon
State
WR Michigan OT Boston
College
Tracker-only
as of now
Strong
reported
Moderate
reported
Tracker-only
as of now
20% 16% 10% 10% 45% 45% 40% 40% top UDFAs, Sharp Football
Analysis).
Moore would be a real safety-room
challenger if the tracker report holds
because Steelers Depot graded him
as a mid-Day 3 “spot starter” type
after an 88-tackle, six-interception
2025 season, but his Dolphins
connection is currently thinner than
the more widely reported UDFAs
(NFL Trade Rumors UDFA tracker,
Steelers Depot).
Hankerson has a compact power-
back profile after 1,090 rushing
yards, 57 forced missed tackles,
and 2.9 yards after contact per
attempt in 2025, but Miami’s
existing Achane-Wright-Gordon-
Edwards group makes a practice-
squad outcome more likely than the
53 (PFF, Sharp Football Analysis).
McCulley’s size and contested-
catch skills are interesting, but
Steelers Depot projected him as a
UDFA with limited separation and
little special-teams background, and
Miami’s receiver room already
includes three drafted rookies plus
several young veterans (Dolphins
Talk, Steelers Depot, Sharp Football
Analysis).
Cline is a developmental tackle
candidate with NFL size, but the 53-
man path is narrow because Miami
added Proctor and Campbell in the
draft and has several veteran or
young tackle options; 3DownNation
described Cline as a 6-foot-7, 320-
pound Boston College blocker with
CFL first-round interest if he does
not stick with an NFL team (NFL
Trade Rumors UDFA tracker,3DownNation, Sharp Football
Analysis).
Position-by-Position Roster Battle Notes
Quarterback
Mark Gronowski’s best path is the practice squad because Miami already added Malik Willis on a major
contract and had Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller in the quarterback room before the UDFA period. ESPN
reported Willis’ three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million guaranteed, while Sharp listed Willis,
Ewers, and Miller as the pre-draft quarterback depth chart (ESPN free agency tracker, Sharp Football
Analysis).
Gronowski is not a camp-arm throwaway, though, because NFL.com ranked him fourth among
undrafted quarterbacks and SI described him as the winningest quarterback in NCAA history with a
dual-threat profile, a 2025 Iowa line of 1,741 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions,
545 rushing yards, and 16 rushing touchdowns. His age, prior ACL/MCL injury, and passing-mechanics
concerns make him more of a developmental No. 3/No. 4 than a realistic immediate 53-man answer
(NFL.com top UDFAs, Sports Illustrated).
Running Back
The UDFA running backs are competing uphill because Sharp listed De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie
Gordon, and Donovan Edwards as the Dolphins’ pre-draft running back group. Achane’s established
production and Wright/Gordon’s recent draft investments leave Hankerson and Moss fighting for a
fourth running back job, a practice-squad spot, or an injury-driven opening (Sharp Football Analysis).
Moss has the stronger signal if the reported $258,000 guarantee is accurate, while Hankerson has the
cleaner recent workload profile after 247 carries and 1,090 rushing yards in 2025. Moss’ injuries and
Hankerson’s lower explosive profile make the practice squad more likely than the opening 53 for both
unless one clearly wins special teams or short-yardage work in preseason (Phin Phanatic, NFL Trade
Rumors Moss report, PFF).
Wide Receiver
Miami’s receiver room gives drafted wideouts a real opening because Sharp wrote that the Dolphins had
a “huge void” after the Tyreek Hill release and Jaylen Waddle trade, with only Malik Washington topping
50 targets among returning receivers. ESPN also wrote that Douglas, Bell, and Coleman each have a path
to playing time because of the thin receiver room (Sharp Football Analysis, ESPN Dolphins draft analysis).Douglas is the safest of the rookie receivers because he is healthy, bigger-framed, and drafted highest. Bell
may have the highest ceiling but is tied to the ACL timeline, and Coleman’s roster value depends on
whether he wins the returner/slot job rather than merely being the third drafted receiver (Miami Dolphins
Day 2 recap, ESPN Dolphins draft analysis).
McCulley’s size gives him a reason to be in camp, but his practical path is the practice squad because
Steelers Depot noted his separation limitations and lack of special-teams value. A receiver who is not a
top-four offensive option usually needs special teams to win a final 53-man spot, and NFL roster-building
guidance emphasizes that the final five to ten roster spots often hinge on special-teams value (Steelers
Depot, NFL.com roster construction guide).
Tight End
Kacmarek has the clearest immediate tight-end role because Miami needed blocking help and ESPN wrote
that his regular playing time could come as soon as he is fitted for pads and a helmet. Traore is more
developmental, but Miami’s official draft hub notes that he played in the NFL International Pathway
Program Class of 2026 and posted 35 catches, 369 yards, and five touchdowns at Mississippi State in
2025 (ESPN Dolphins draft analysis, Miami Dolphins draft hub).
The roster question is whether Miami keeps four tight ends, especially if Greg Dulcich is the receiving
option and Kacmarek is the blocking option. Traore’s upside makes him hard to release, but he is more
vulnerable than Kacmarek because he is a second rookie tight end in the same class and may be easier to
stash if he clears waivers (ESPN free agency tracker, NFL Football Operations).
Offensive Line
Proctor should be counted as a 53-man certainty and Campbell as a strong Day 3 roster candidate
because Miami’s offensive line entered the draft as a major work in progress. Sharp cited Miami’s poor
2025 blocking metrics and short-term contract questions at right guard and right tackle, while ESPN
wrote that Proctor could fill right guard as a rookie and Campbell could cross-train beyond guard (Sharp
Football Analysis, ESPN Dolphins draft analysis).
Cline’s best shot is developmental tackle depth because 3DownNation described him as a 6-foot-7, 320-
pound Boston College lineman with 44 college games and 14 starts. His 53-man odds are low unless he
outplays an existing reserve tackle because Miami already used draft capital on Proctor and Campbell
and had multiple tackle/guard bodies in the pre-draft depth chart (3DownNation, Sharp Football
Analysis).
Defensive Line and EdgeMoore, Llewellyn, Reiger, and Konga all benefit from Miami’s pass-rush need. Sharp wrote that the
Dolphins ranked 26th in pressure rate in 2025 and had a short-term and long-term need on the edge,
while ESPN wrote that Moore has a reasonable path to rookie playing time and Llewellyn should compete
for a roster spot (Sharp Football Analysis, ESPN Dolphins draft analysis).
Konga is the strongest undrafted defensive-line candidate because NFL.com ranked him highly among
undrafted interior defenders and Dolphins Talk reported a significant guarantee. The Athletic profile also
describes Konga as an aggressive run defender with athletic footwork, powerful swats, adequate anchor,
and six batted passes in 2025, which fits a rotational interior profile if Miami wants more competition
behind Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Matthew Butler, and Alex Huntley
(NFL.com top UDFAs, Dolphins Talk, The Athletic, Sharp Football Analysis).
Reiger is the UDFA edge most likely to force a 53-man conversation because Sports Illustrated reported
that he had 45 pressures and five sacks in his lone Wisconsin season and could develop into a rotational
NFL pass rusher. Llewellyn still has the draft-capital edge over Reiger, but Reiger’s pressure production
and early UDFA market interest make that one of the better rookie camp battles (Sports Illustrated, ESPN
Dolphins draft analysis).
Linebacker and Safety
Rodriguez and Louis should both make the 53 because they give Miami two different answers at
linebacker: Rodriguez as a true off-ball playmaker and Louis as a coverage-oriented sub-package piece.
Miami’s staff praised Rodriguez’s instincts and playmaking after selecting him at No. 43, and ESPN
reported that Miami plans to use Louis’ third-down coverage skill set (Miami Dolphins Day 2 recap, ESPN
Dolphins draft analysis).
Taaffe has a favorable path because Sharp described Miami’s safety room as thin, and ESPN wrote that
Taaffe could work into playing time if his instincts carry over. Moore would add another safety candidate
if the tracker-only signing holds, and Steelers Depot’s “spot starter” grade makes him more interesting
than a generic UDFA defensive back (Sharp Football Analysis, ESPN Dolphins draft analysis, Steelers
Depot).
Most Likely Rookie Outcomes
Outcome bucket Players
Opening 53 locks Strong 53 favorites Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez
Caleb Douglas, Will Kacmarek, Chris Bell if medically cleared or protected, Trey
Moore, Kyle LouisBubble leaning 53 Bubble leaning practice squad Michael Taaffe, DJ Campbell, Kevin Coleman Jr., Seydou Traore
Max Llewellyn, Mark Gronowski, Rene Konga, Mason Reiger, Le’Veon Moss,
Anthony Hankerson, Louis Moore
Donaven McCulley, Kevin Cline
Long-shot 53 / developmental
practice squad
The cleanest projection is 10 to 11 drafted rookies on the initial 53 or a reserve/medical pathway, with
Max Llewellyn, Seydou Traore, Kevin Coleman Jr., and DJ Campbell forming the most realistic drafted-
rookie roster math pressure points. The UDFA class is more likely to produce practice-squad depth than
multiple 53-man players, but Konga, Reiger, and Moss have enough priority signals to make the
preseason meaningful (NFL Trade Rumors UDFA tracker, Dolphins Talk, Sports Illustrated).
Bottom Line
Miami’s draft class is built to make the roster, not just compete for it. The first eight selections are strong
bets to survive cutdown, and at least two or three Day 3 picks should stick because the Dolphins have real
openings at receiver, tight end, edge, safety, and offensive line (NFL.com draft tracker, Sharp Football
Analysis).
The UDFA class should be treated as a practice-squad competition with a few 53-man exceptions. Konga’s
reported guarantee and NFL.com ranking, Reiger’s pass-rush production, Moss’ reported guarantee, and
Gronowski’s quarterback résumé make them the priority group to watch once rookie minicamp and
preseason reps begin (NFL.com top UDFAs, Dolphins Talk, Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated).
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