MIAMI DOLPHINS ROSTER BREAKDOWN - PART 1

As the 2026 NFL draft draws closer we take a look quarterback, running back and wide receiver and take a guess at what they may do come 23^rd-25^th April.

Starting at the top, QB1 is pencilled in as Malik Willis, with Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller behind him. It is unlikely that either will beat Willis out in camp considering the money they have paid him and what Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley now about the player. The only caveat is they don’t exactly know what they have in Ewers at the moment, but they would be hard pushed to move away from their shiny new toy. Could they draft a QB this year, will Sullivan follow the Green Bay model, nobody knows, but with so many holes elsewhere it would be surprising, for this year at least.

Running back is probably the position with the least need providing De’von Achane is still on the team come opening day. Jaylen Wright showed he can carry the load if required, filling in for Achane last season admirably, so they have a good one – two attack. Behind them Ollie Gordon has to prove he belongs on the team, he had a few chances in 2025 but never really took full advantage of his opportunities, seemingly falling out of favour with the old regime, maybe the new coaches can put a spring back in his step.

The one unknown is Donovan Edwards who was signed in January. He went undrafted last year and was signed by the Jets but didn’t make it to the opening day roster, Washington picked him up and added him to the practice squad, but he never saw the field. He played college at Michigan and made an impact as a freshman but never really made use of his raw talent. Consistency was an issue along with his apparent comments off the field, and probably the reasons why he didn’t get drafted. It would be a surprise if he supplants anybody.

The position they are missing at the moment is fullback following the departure of Alec Ingold. It will be surprising if they don’t run with one as Bobby Slowik’s offense has fullback as one of the core pieces, and we are sure Achane would be a lot happier if he could follow a lead blocker. They may draft one using one of their day three picks, very rarely are they selected before round five. Very few are drafted though, so they may choose to wait and sign one after the event.

Wide receiver is one position that is crying out for help, especially following the trade of Jaylen Waddle. This was a business decision that made sense considering the picks they received and the salary they avoided. This one move pretty much said they aren’t going to be that competitive for this year, and maybe next, so why keep a player that will be slowing down by the time they have everything in place.

Tutu Atwell looks to be the top receiver on the team at the present time with Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr., Terrace Marshall Jr. and AJ Henning rounding out the position. Atwell was a good compliment to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and a capable WR3 for the Rams, but is he going to be able make that jump to a featured receiver, it is probably unlikely and the reason why the team will be drafting a wide out with one of their two first round picks, it would be a shock if they don’t.

As for the rest of the receiving core, Tolbert was with the Cowboys for four seasons and was tagged as WR3 at the start of 2025 but the Cowboys let him walk after he was leapfrogged by Ryan Flournoy. His best season was back in 2024 when he caught 49 balls for just over 600 yards, but he didn’t build on that and would ultimately walk. Maybe he will be revitalised and capture his 2024 form, but he isn’t the long-term answer.

Terrace Marshall Jr. is another interesting player who has been in the league four seasons, his first three with the Panthers and last year with the Raiders. He has started seventeen games during that time with his best year being 2024 when he caught twenty-eight passes for 490 yards, his playing time and production has taken a nose dive ever since so he may not even make the roster come September.

As for the holdovers, Malik Washington will probably stick around as he is also a handy punt returned, consistently ranking in the top twenty for average yards per return. Somebody else may make the roster because they will need to make up the numbers, but wide receiver is one of the top priorities going into the draft.