Kelly: Dolphins must find half a dozen starters on defense | Opinion
The shelves are empty.
The Miami Dolphins are yet again in the middle of a massive franchise rebuild, and it appears the majority of the team’s resources in the 2026 Draft will be utilized on defense — the side of the ball head coach Jeff Hafley specializes in — because the team’s present talent base on that side of the ball leaves plenty to be desired.
The Dolphins have a solid stable of unproven defensive tackles, and a respectable duo of inside linebackers.
But everywhere else, everything else on defense — edge rusher, cornerback, safety — is barren of proven talent, even after more than a dozen defensive players were signed as free agents the past week.
That’s why it’s reasonable to conclude that the Dolphins will put together a defensive-heavy draft class in 2026, providing Hafley a young, and hopefully talented, nucleus to build with.
Here is a look at Miami’s offensive roster, discussing the potential roles of the newcomers added recently.
To take a look at the offensive breakdown click this link.
Edge rushers
▪ On the roster: Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, Robert Beal Jr., Cameron Goode, Derrick McClendon, Keith Cooper Jr., David Ojabo, Seth Coleman
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins released Bradley Chubb, whose 8.5 sacks lead the team, to create $20.2 million in cap space, which the team will gain on June 1, and now the challenge is to find rushers who can not only pressure quarterbacks, but set the edge in a 4-3 scheme. Robinson, the Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick, should finally be elevated into a starting role, and the hope is that he will become more consistent in his third season. Robinson has contributed 47 tackles, 10 sacks and forced one fumble in his first two seasons. But he has only started four NFL games, and needs to improve as an edge-setter to stop being labeled a liability against the run. Uche, a former second-round pick who has started four NFL games in the six seasons he has played for the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, has contributed 109 tackles and 21.5 sacks in his role as a pass-rushing specialist. Like Robinson, he needs to become a three-down player. He will likely compete with Beal, Goode, McClendon, Ojabo, Cooler, Coleman, and whoever else the Dolphins draft, to gain a starting spot, if not platoon role. Most of these edge players on Miami’s roster should be viewed as role players, special teams contributors, or developmental projects at this point.
Defensive lineman
▪ On the roster: Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Matthew Butler, Alex Huntley
▪ Analysis: Sieler and his unit got off to a slow start in 2025. Miami got off to a 1-6 start because every NFL team was pummeling the Dolphins on the ground. But this unit finished the year relatively strong with the exception of the season finale, anchoring a defensive front that allowed 4.8 yards per carry, and 132.4 rushing yards per game. While there’s clearly work to be done, especially coming from the second-year players — Grant, Phillips and Biggers — this is one of the few units on Miami’s roster that doesn’t need a heavy infusion of newcomers. Miami retained defensive line coach Austin Clark, and he has done an impressive job helping young defensive tackles take their game to the next level. Grant (33 tackles, two sacks), Phillips (34 tackles), and Biggers (20 tackles and 1.5 sacks) all bring something different to the table, and it will be interesting to see who they each develop without a bias created from where they were drafted. Sieler, who contributed 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks and recovered one fumble last season, is clearly the unit’s leader. But the 30-year-old needs to produce in 2026 to justify his $16.7 million salary this season.
Inside linebacker
▪ On the roster: Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Willie Gay Jr., K.C. Ossai, Jackson Woodard, Jordan Colbert
▪ Analysis: In their first full season as Miami’s inside linebacker duo, Brooks and Dodson combined for 312 tackles, 8.5 sacks, one interception, forced two fumbled and recovered two fumbles, becoming the best linebacker duo the Dolphins have had since Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett in 2012. With both under contract for 2026 they will likely be able to turn up the volume on their chemistry next season. However, expect both Brooks, who is slated to make $8,375,000 in the final year of his deal, and Dodson, who will earn $3 million in the final year of his two-year contract signed last offseason, to seek pay raises. Gay impressed during training camp, but sparingly played last season for some unknown reason. He’s clearly the top inside linebacker on the roster, but don’t be surprised if Miami adds one in the 2026 NFL Draft because Brooks and Dodson become unrestricted free agents if they don’t get extended before next March. While inside linebacker isn’t a need, being forward-thinking is always beneficial to roster building. Colbert converted from safety to linebacker last season, and excelled on special teams before suffering a season-ending injury in the second half of the year.
Cornerback
▪ On the roster: Darrell Baker Jr., Storm Duck, Juju Brents, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner, Miles Battle, Marco Wilson, Alex Austin, Ethan Robinson, Jason Maitre and A.J. Green III.
▪ Analysis: Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones joined the Dolphins late in training camp, and held the team down at cornerback all season. They are both mature, established veterans who haven’t found work because of their baggage. But they would likely outperform any of the 11 cornerbacks presently in this unit. Duck has been solid the past two seasons, but is working his way back from a knee injury. Brents excelled as a spot starter briefly last season before suffering a foot injury that cut his season short. He has the size, athleticism and length to become an NFL starter, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy since entering the league in 2023. Baker has started 25 games the previous four seasons while playing for the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. Wilson has started 37 games for three teams the past five seasons. Marshall and Bonner have talent, but are raw and unproven NFL players, which is how this entire unit can be described. Expect the Dolphins to target cornerbacks early and often in the 2026 NFL Draft, and don’t be surprised if they sign a few late when veterans are trying to find work after the draft.
Safety
▪ On the roster: Dante Trader Jr., Lonne Johnson Jr., Isaiah Johnson, Zayne Anderson, Omar Brown
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins didn’t re-sign Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Elijah Campbell, and traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets for a 2026 seventh-round pick, subsequently moving on from the four of the top five safeties from the 2025 seasons. Davis, Melifonwu and Campbell have not been signed yet, but it’s clear that this regime wants to go younger at this position. Trader, who contributed 55 tackles, forced one fumble and recovered another in the 17 games he played in last season, had good moments in 2025. But some midseason struggles, and a shoulder injury kept him from establishing himself as a rookie starter. Johnson, a former second-round pick, has started 22 games in his previous seven seasons, recording 224 tackles and four interceptions in the 92 NFL regular season games he has played. Johnson, a cornerback the Dolphins converted to safety last season, suffered a season-ending knee injury late last season, which means he will likely begin the 2026 season on the PUP list. Anderson joined the Dolphins as a career special teams contributor. Brown spent the past two seasons on Green Bay’s practice squad and injured reserve.
This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 11:07 AM.
