The Miami Dolphins have worked this offseason to reset their roster and salary cap situation as new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley take control of the franchise. It has led to the Dolphins being projected to be among the worst – if not the worst – teams in the league for this season, but could there be hope on the horizon?
According to Pro Football Focus’s Gordon McGuinness, the Dolphins should have optimism, in large part because they have reset the roster. Miami has the youngest average age in the league heading into the season, and McGuinness identifies that as the reason the Dolphins could find success in the future:
The 2026 season could be a challenging year for the Dolphins, but if there’s cause for optimism, it’s the young talent already on the roster. De’Von Achane is one of the best running backs in football despite still being just 24 years old. He rushed for 1,350 yards in 2025, with 4.1 of his 5.7 yards per carry coming after contact. Three seasons into his career, he has yet to earn a PFF grade below 80.0. Meanwhile, left tackle Patrick Paul took a significant step forward in his second season, improving his PFF grade from 44.9 as a rookie to 66.2 last season. They also had a really strong draft, as seven of the players they drafted earned PFF grades above 75.0 in their final seasons in college. It wouldn’t be a huge shock to see six or more of this class wind up as starters by the time the 2027 NFL season begins.
You can check out the rest of that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
Reasons for optimism for all 32 NFL teams – Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus
Every NFL team enters 2026 with a reason for optimism, whether it’s an MVP-winning quarterback in Los Angeles, the league’s top-ranked offensive line in Denver or a Cleveland draft class that landed four of the top 35 players on PFF’s final predictive board. Pulled from PFF’s 2026 team previews, here is the strongest case for optimism for all 32 teams heading into the season.
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NY Giants-Miami Dolphins joint practice: ‘Rules of engagement’ will be in place – Ed Valentine, Big Blue View
John Harbaugh wants players on both teams to protect each other.
What Dolphins Head Coach Jeff Hafley Wants to Accomplish Against Giants – Jacob Westerndorf, Miami Dolphins on SI
The Miami Dolphins will conduct their second of two joint practices this summer against John Harbaugh’s team
Dolphins Wednesday Workout Group Includes Son of NFL Legend, More Transaction Notes – Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
The Miami Dolphins took a look at six more players ahead of their joint practice with the New York Giants
Dolphins Rookie Power Rankings 2.0: Who Stands Out Among Promising Group – Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
The Miami Dolphins still have almost two dozen rookies on their roster heading into their season preseason game
Why Biggers Could Make the Biggest Impact Among the 2025 DT Draft Picks – Jake Gibson, Miami Dolphins on SI – Jake Gibson, Miami Dolphins on SI
Despite being drafted last in 2025, Biggers has a case for the best option out of the defensive tackle trio.
Brutally blunt Marco Wilson discusses overcoming ‘hell’ on road to the Dolphins – Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
Weeks before he signed to play what he hopes will be a career-salvaging season with the Dolphins, months before he intercepted a pass in his first game for his hometown team, Marco Wilson sat and prayed.
Tua Tagovailoa opens up about ‘hard’ exit from Miami Dolphins – Marek Brave, The Phinsider
Former Dolphins quarterback looked to Nick Saban for guidance.
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