Miami Dolphins Defensive Roster Construction Ahead of 2026 Bye Week
As the Miami Dolphins pause for their bye week on Friday, October 16, the organization has finalized a significant overhaul of its defensive roster for the 2026 season. According to Sports Illustrated, the team’s front office has strategically positioned its defensive units through a mix of draft capital, waiver claims, and free-agent acquisitions, creating a complex web of contract statuses and salary cap implications.
The defensive line represents one of the most heavily invested areas for Miami, featuring a blend of veteran stability and young, cost-controlled talent. At the interior, Zach Sieler remains a cornerstone of the rotation. Claimed off waivers from Baltimore in 2019, Sieler signed an extension that keeps him under contract through 2029. His 2026 cap number is set at $11 million, though his long-term future beyond this season carries a 50-50 outlook for returning in 2027.
Supporting Sieler is a group of young defensive tackles acquired through the draft and free agency. Jordan Phillips, a fifth-round pick in 2025, is signed through 2028 with a highly manageable 2026 cap number of $1.1 million, with an outlook to remain with the Dolphins. Similarly, first-round pick Kenneth Grant is locked up through 2028 with a team fifth-year option, carrying a $5 million cap hit in 2026 and an outlook to stay with the team.
The depth behind these starters includes seventh-round pick Zeek Biggers, who is signed through 2028 with a $1 million cap number for 2026 and an outlook to remain with the Dolphins. Additionally, injured reserve defensive tackle Rene Konga, an undrafted free agent in 2026, is signed through 2028 with a modest $525K cap number and an outlook to stay with the team.
Edge Rusher Depth Chart and Contract Variance
The edge rusher position shows a stark contrast between long-term investments and short-term, one-year deals. Chop Robinson, a first-round pick in 2024, is signed through 2027 with a team fifth-year option. His 2026 cap number is $4.1 million, and he has an outlook to remain with the Dolphins.
However, the rest of the edge rotation relies heavily on short-term contracts. Joshua Uche was signed as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in 2026 through 2026 with a $1.1 million cap number; his 2027 outlook is 50-50. Malik Herring, claimed off waivers from Kansas City in 2026, is signed through 2026 with a $1.1 million cap number, but his 2027 outlook is less than 50-50.
Further down the depth chart, Rob Beal Jr. was signed as a UFA in 2026 through 2026 with a $1.2 million cap number, also carrying an outlook of less than 50-50 for 2027. In contrast, Andre Jones Jr., signed off the Buffalo Bills practice squad in 2026 through 2027, has a $1 million cap number and an outlook to remain with the Dolphins. On injured reserve, fourth-round pick Trey Moore is signed through 2029 with a $776K cap number for 2026 and an outlook to stay with the team.
Linebacker Corps: Extensions and Short-Term Fixes
The linebacker group features a mix of long-term security and immediate, one-year solutions. Jordyn Brooks signed a contract extension in 2026 through 2029, with a $6.2 million cap number for 2026 and an outlook to remain with the Dolphins. Jacob Rodriguez, a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, is signed through 2029 with a $2.1 million cap number and an outlook to stay with the team.
Willie Gay Jr. was re-signed as a UFA in 2026 through 2026 with a $1.3 million cap number and an outlook to remain with the Dolphins. Jackson Woodard, signed off the Houston Texans practice squad in 2025 through 2026, has a $1 million cap number and a 50-50 outlook for 2027.
Short-term deals also define the lower tiers of the linebacker room. Shaka Heyward was signed off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in 2026 through 2026 with an $896K cap number, carrying an outlook of less than 50-50 for 2027. Injured reserve linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. was signed as a UFA in 2026 through 2026 with a $693K cap number, also with an outlook of less than 50-50 for 2027.
Secondary: Waiver Claims and Draft Picks
The secondary has been bolstered by strategic waiver claims and draft selections. JuJu Brents, claimed off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts in 2025, is signed through 2026 with a $1.2 million cap number and an outlook better than 50-50 for 2027. Jason Marshall Jr., a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, is signed through 2028 with a $1.1 million cap number and an outlook to remain with the Dolphins.
First-round pick Chris Johnson is signed through 2029 with a team fifth-year option, carrying a $3.5 million cap number for 2026 and an outlook to stay with the team. Jaylin Simpson, claimed off waivers from the Green Bay Packers in 2026, is signed through 2027, rounding out a secondary that balances immediate needs with future flexibility.