Omar Kelly: What Dolphins' offensive future could look like in 2026

MIAMI — Everything about the Miami Dolphins franchise is on unstable footing.

Miami is currently run by an interim general manager (Champ Kelly), the head coach (Mike McDaniel) and his staff are on the hot seat, and the team just changed starting quarterbacks (switching from Tua Tagovailoa to rookie Quinn Ewers) last week.

So projecting what the Dolphins’ roster might, would, should look like in 2026 isn’t just a challenge, it’s dangerously irresponsible.

However, these final two games give the Dolphins a chance to do a deep dive on exactly what’s on the team’s roster talent wise because Miami will seemingly put young players in position to play in Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay, and the season finale against the New England Patriots.

Here is a look at Miami’s offensive roster, discussing contracts and salaries.

Quarterbacks

— On the 53: Quinn Ewers (R), Zach Wilson, Tua Tagovailoa,

— Under contract in 2026: Tagovailoa and Ewers

— Analysis: Tagovailoa, who finished the season with an 88.4 passer rating, has likely played his last snap with the Dolphins because he’s lost the ability to drive his passes. In a best-case scenario the Dolphins find a trade partner for Tagovailoa, who is guaranteed $54 million in 2026. In a worst-case scenario the Dolphins release the 27-year-old and eat a $99.2 million cap hit over the next two seasons. Ewers, a 2025 seventh-round pick who replaced Tagovailoa as Miami’s starter last week, gets a three-game audition to impress the franchise. He struggled last week, throwing two interceptions, but showed some promise. Wilson’s performance didn’t match the $6 million salary he received in 2025, and he’ll likely seek better opportunities elsewhere when his contract voids five days after the Super Bowl.

Running backs

— On the roster: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II (R), Jeff Wilson Jr. (practice squad), JaMycal Hasty (practice squad), Alexander Mattison (IR).

— Under contract in 2026: Achane, Wright and Gordon

— Analysis: Achane earned his first Pro Bowl berth this season by producing 1,756 total yards and scoring 12 touchdowns on 220 carries, and 64 receptions. He’ll likely be seeking a contract extension that is in the neighborhood of the one James Cook signed with Buffalo this summer, which could pay the tailback $51 million over five years, and guarantee him $30 million. Wright, who has rushed for 209 yards and scored two touchdowns this season, and Gordon, a rookie who has rushed for 190 yards and scored four touchdowns, each bring something different to the team. Miami hasn’t fully capitalized on Wright’s speed this season, but they have made Gordon the team’s short-yardage specialist.

Receivers

— On the roster: Tyreek Hill (IR), Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Dee Eskridge, Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr. (practice squad), A.J. Henning (practice squad).

— Under contract in 2026: Hill, Waddle, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington and Westbrook-Ikhine

— Analysis: Hill and Waddle were once one of the NFL’s most dynamic receiver duos, but their run together has likely come to an end due to the left knee injury Hill suffered in late September, and his bloated contract, which will clear between $24 million and $36 million (as June 1) in cap space if he’s released this offseason. Waddle, who is 90 yards away from producing his fourth 1,000 yard receiving season, needs to elevate his game to justify his $17.2 million salary next season, which is guaranteed. Malik and Tahj Washington have two years remaining on their rookie deal after this season. Expect Westbrook-Ikhine to be released this offseason to avoid his $2.8 million salary ($1.6 million in cap space).

Tight ends/fullbacks

— On the roster: Darren Waller, Julian Hill, Greg Dulcich, fullback Alec Ingold, Hayden Rucci (practice squad), Jaylen Conyers (R)

— Under contract in 2026: Hill (restricted free agent) and Conyers

— Analysis: The Dolphins tight ends were one of the strongest units on the team in 2025. Waller comes into Sunday’s game contributing 23 receptions for 283 yards and six touchdowns, Hill has been a forceful in-line blocker, and Dulcich, who so far has caught 18 passes for 246 yards this season, has been a pleasant surprise. Dulcich, who was promoted up the practice squad, was signed to the NFL minimum, and will likely push to join a franchise that believes in him. Ingold is under contract in 2026 for $3.7 million, and releasing him would clear $3 million in cap space.

Offensive linemen

— On the roster: LT Patrick Paul, LG Jonah Savaiinaea (R), C Aaron Brewer, RG James Daniels, RT Austin Jackson. Backups: OT Kendall Lamm, OT Larry Borom, OG Daniel Brunskill, OG Cole Strange, OT Kion Smith, OG Liam Eichenberg (remained on PUP), C Andrew Meyer (expected to come off IR soon), OG Josh Priebe (practice squad), OT Kadeem Telfort (practice squad), OT Roy Mbaeeteka (practice squad).

— Under contract in 2026: Paul, Jackson, Savaiinaea, Brewer, Meyer

— Analysis: The Dolphins offensive line struggled early this season, especially after losing Jackson and Daniels to serious injuries in the season opener. However, the unit pulled it together in the second-half of the season and became the strength of Miami’s offense, paving the way for Achane to become one of the NFL’s top rushers. Paul is blossoming into one of the NFL’s elite left tackles, and Brewer had his best season at center in 2025. Next year will be the final season of the contract extension Jackson signed in 2023, and he’ll earn $10.8 million. Daniels will likely earn $7.9 million in 2026 because of a $5.2 million option bonus due in 2026. Miami’s offensive line started stabilizing when Strange became the starting right guard, so him being an unrestricted free agent this offseason is unsettling, especially since Miami’s depth in this unit is paper thin.