How many genuine building blocks do Dolphins really have?
Assembling two dozen worthy building blocks is a mighty tall task, especially for a team starting with just a handful.
But that’s the mission for new Dolphins general manager Jon Eric Sullivan. And Wednesday’s extension with center Aaron Brewer — keeping him under contract with Miami through 2029 — is the latest step in that process.
In what is shaping up to be a three-year retool (and that’s if most everything goes right), here’s how we would size up the Dolphins’ search for building blocks, which we define as players who project as long-term starters on a playoff contending team:
Definite building blocks
1). Running back De’Von Achane. Along with the quarterback, he’s the centerpiece of the offense that Sullivan wants to build. Sullivan made that clear with his words in March (“he’s a rare player... a marvelous player... .a building block”) and with his actions in April (giving him a four-year deal worth up to $68 million, with $32 million guaranteed).
2). Brewer. The new three-year, $57.5 million deal (with $37 million guaranteed) makes him the third-highest paid center by annual salary, at $17.5 million. That trails only the Raiders’ Tyler Linderbaum ($27 million) and the Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey ($18 million).
3). Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor. He will play left guard this season, with the expectation that he will shift to right tackle in future years barring a change of heart.
4). Chris Johnson. Positioned to be the team’s No. 1 cornerback for years to come, if all works out as planned. He permitted an absurd 16.1 passer rating in his coverage area at San Diego State last season; that was best among FBS corners.
We should add that including anyone as a definite building block is risky before they have played a down in the league, but it’s fairly safe to do with Proctor and Johnson even if they don’t quite reach the Dolphins’ expectations.
Likely building blocks
1). Linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Because there’s no fear of a dramatic drop-off in production from a talented and highly-driven player, Brooks will move up to the “definite” category if he signs the contract extension that Sullivan has said he wants to give him.
Sullivan has cited Brooks as a player he wants “to be part of this” and “to be a pillar on the defensive side.” If an extension isn’t reached, he could become a chip before the trade deadline.
2). Left tackle Patrick Paul. We say likely because there has been no public talk of an extension, at least not yet, and because he’s not yet at an elite level. Paul is very good, but there remains room to grow; he yielded four sacks last season and his run blocking grades were below average, per PFF.
3). Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. The immense college production and elite instincts suggest he’s likely to become a longterm starter at middle linebacker - even if he doesn’t beat out Tyrel Dodson this season.
Building blocks if all goes well; could go either way
1). Quarterback Malik Willis. The contract was structured in a way that Miami can escape year three without paying him anything that year, and with only a $13 million dead money hit. Sullivan has said the Dolphins would like to build around him. But he’ll need to give the Dolphins reason not to draft a top quarterback prospect next April.
2). Defensive backs Jason Marshall Jr. and Dante Trader Jr.: The new regime really likes the maturity and ball skills of the two fifth-round picks from Chris Grier’s final draft. Both are on cheap four-year rookie contracts. Each now has a chance to become a long-term starter.
3). Edge player Chop Robinson. He must improve dramatically to warrant receiving a fifth-year option extension next April, considering that option would pay about $17 million. In 2024, his 21% pass rush win rate was the highest by a rookie since Micah Parsons in 2021. In 2025, he finished under 9%, outside the top 100 of all NFL edge rushers.
Among 115 qualifying edge players, Pro Football Focus ranked Robinson’s overall performance 103rd. He had just 10 solo tackles (21 overall) and four sacks in 417 defensive snaps and PFF rated his run defense below average. So there’s much to prove here.
4). Defensive lineman Zach Sieler. He’s not a definite building block only because of his age (30) and because he’s due no guaranteed money after this season and has a contract with big cap hits in 2027 ($20.8 million) and 2028 ($23.6 million) if he’s on the team those years.
But two very good seasons could motivate the Dolphins to keep him around until his mid-30s.
5). Defensive linemen Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers. A case could be made to put Grant and Phillips in the aforementioned “likely building blocks” category, but we’re reluctant because both have so much to prove.
Despite Phillips’ potential as a run stuffer, he graded out below average in that area last season and had just one tackle for loss in 465 defensive snaps, with PFF rating him 76th of 126 defensive tackles.
PFF rated Grant 103rd of 126 defensive tackles and 107th against the run.
Grant, Phillips and Biggers seem more likely than not to have extended NFL careers. But whether any becomes a long-term starter on a good team remains an unanswered question.
5). Draft picks Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. at wide receiver; Will Kacmarek at tight end. The receivers all have the talent to become long-term starters, with Coleman ticketed for the slot. Kacmarek could be a multi-year starter when Miami opens in 12 personnel (two tight ends) or run-heavy sets.
6). Malik Washington. We’re limiting this to starters, and it’s difficult to see Washington starting at wide receiver in a year or two. But as a first-team special teams player, he’s plenty good enough, ranking in the top 10 in the league in punt and kickoff return averages last season.
Possible building blocks
1). The other 2026 draft picks — safety Michael Taaffe; inside linebackers Trey Moore and Kyle Louis; tight end Keydou Traore; defensive end Max Llewellyn and guard DJ Campbell. All have a tangible skill, but none can confidently be projected as an NFL starter.
2). Guard Jonah Savaiinaea. There is still a chance to salvage his career after a rookie season in which he led all NFL guards in sacks allowed and pressures permitted. His move back to the right side should help.
3).Tight end Greg Dulcich. He will need to build on his very promising close to last season to prove he’s worthy of being an NFL starter on a good team. The new regime loves him, so it’s not out of the question.
4). Cornerback Juju Brents. This is a reach, because he has played significant snaps in only two games as a Dolphin and is coming off a season-ending knee injury. But the talent is there, as a former second-round pick, to win a starting job this season and make enough of a case to get a new contract as a free agent. The odds are against it, but it can’t be ruled out.
Just missing the cut: Austin Jackson, whose injury history makes him a more likely stopgap than a long-term piece. A Pro Bowl-caliber year could change that.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 4:01 PM.
