What Surprise Cuts Will Miami Make?

What Surprise Cuts Will Miami Make?

The season is quietly approaching, and thus, there will be many surprising cuts and trades throughout training camp and the preseason. Every team in the league has a history of cutting fan favorites or trading away the wrong player due to a lack of depth at their position. I’m sure Miami has released one of your favorites before.

They have also released players who then became starters on another team in the same season, such as Matt Skura ahead of the 2021 season. Nonetheless, only 53 players will be on the roster in September. There will be some shocking cuts, and also some intriguing under-the-radar names to make the final team.

Will any big names not make the roster?

Miami signed a plethora of 1-year deals at the minimum amount of money allocated this offseason to a veteran. These include David Ojabo, Darrell Baker, Jalen Tolbert, and many more. The Dolphins entered the offseason with a glaring hole at cornerback, but slowly filled those spots through free agency and the draft. One signing in particular caught many fans’ attention. That would be Alex Austin, former New England Patriot cornerback.

Though he has the talent and some experience, other veterans, such as Marco Wilson and Ethan Bonner, had better production this offseason, with Austin being on the back burner of any reports out of OTAs. The group is thin, but the playing field is pretty even.

Miami’s receiver room has a similar story, with multiple players on small deals and 3 newly drafted players. Tutu Atwell has a lot of NFL production, but has quietly slipped between the cracks when it comes to this receiver room. Miami has 2 receivers with archetypes similar to Atwell’s: Malik Washington and Kevin Coleman, neither of whom would be released before Atwell. His other competitors include 3rd-round picks from the 2026 draft class who would carry a fairly large dead cap penalty if released. It doesn’t look likely that Atwell cracks the 53-man roster.

This goes the same for former 7th-round pick Tahj Washington, who missed his rookie year due to injury and played sporadically last season with the Dolphins.

Some other players that have an uphill battle in camp include linebacker Willie Gay, tight end Ben Sims, quarterback Cam Miller, and defensive lineman Zeek Biggers.

Will any sleepers crack the 53-man roster?

Miami had a great undrafted free agent haul after the draft. Big names that many thought would be drafted, such as safety Louis Moore and quarterback Mark Gronowski. The biggest name, though, was Wisconsin edge rusher Mason Reiger, who put his name out there during the 2026 Shrine Bowl. With Miami having a thin edge room and deciding to hold off on signing another edge player thus far, it seems likely that Reiger will be able to earn himself a role in 2026.

If Miami looks to hold onto the usual 8 offensive linemen, look no further than the newest signing, Gottlieb Ayedze. He played in the UFL this past season and earned All-UFL honors due to his dominant play at the tackle position. He isn’t earning any more than other tackles such as Charlie Heck or Jamaree Salyer, but Ayedze has recent pro experience.

It’s always sad to see your favorite under-the-radar player get the boot, but camp is approaching, and the real evaluation of these players is yet to come.