
Miami Dolphins Depth Chart 2025-26: Roster & Positions
The Miami Dolphins quarterback room has undergone a quiet but significant transformation. The 2025-2026 depth chart now features Quinn Ewers as the starter—a 23-year-old rookie from Texas—backed by Malik Willis, a 26-year-old with four years of NFL experience. Meanwhile, the running back depth includes four tiers, with De’Von Achane leading a young but battle-tested group. This breakdown pulls directly from official and ESPN sources to give you the clearest picture of who’s who on Miami’s roster right now.
Season Focus: 2025-2026 · Offense Base: 11 – One RB, One TE (39%) · Defense Base: 3-4 · Official Source: miamidolphins.com/team/depth-chart · WR1: Malik Washington
Quick snapshot
- Quinn Ewers named starting QB for 2025-2026 season (ESPN NFL Depth Chart)
- De’Von Achane holds starting RB role with 3 years NFL experience (Official Miami Dolphins Depth Chart)
- Four-tier running back depth confirmed for Miami Dolphins (ESPN Miami Dolphins Depth Chart)
- Practice squad composition subject to weekly fluctuations
- 2026 roster changes dependent on free agency decisions
- Specific injury designations for backup players not fully disclosed
- Official depth chart published for 2025 season (miamidolphins.com)
- ESPN updates throughout 2026 season with latest intel (ESPN NFL Depth Charts for All 32 Teams)
- Roster adjustments expected after 2025 free agency period
- Ongoing weekly depth chart updates from official and ESPN sources
This key facts table consolidates primary source data for quick reference.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Source | www.miamidolphins.com/team/depth-chart |
| ESPN Link | www.espn.com/nfl/team/depth/_/name/mia |
| Offense WR1 | Malik Washington |
| C Backup | Andrew Meyer |
| CB1 Starter | Jaelan Phillips |
| SS Starter | Jevon Holland |
| WR2 | Jaylen Waddle |
| WR3 | Tyreek Hill |
| TE1 | Jonnu Smith |
| RG | James Glover III |
Miami Dolphins depth chart 2026
Three credible sources—ESPN, the official team site, and CBS Sports—all confirm the same quarterback hierarchy entering the 2025-2026 season: Quinn Ewers leads the room, Malik Willis serves as the primary backup, and Cam Miller rounds out the three-man active roster. The official Miami Dolphins depth chart lists Ewers as the starting quarterback, which aligns with ESPN’s 2025 NFL depth chart projections. Ourlads tracks the complete four-string depth for each position, including jersey numbers and draft years, providing a comprehensive reference for the Dolphins’ roster construction.
Offense Projections
The Miami Dolphins employ an 11 personnel package—featuring one running back and one tight end—roughly 39% of the time, making the quarterback and running back positions central to their offensive identity. Quinn Ewers, at 23 years old and 6’2″, brings a clean slate with zero prior NFL experience but elite college credentials from Texas. His backup, Malik Willis (26, 6’1″, 225 lbs), offers four years of professional seasoning from his time with the Titans and Packers. Cam Miller, a 24-year-old rookie from North Dakota State, adds developmental upside at 6’0″ and 211 pounds.
Miami is betting on youth at quarterback: Ewers (23) is seven years younger than Willis and one year younger than Miller. The Dolphins’ coaching staff will face a steep learning curve—Ewers went from Austin straight to South Beach with no NFL snaps under his belt.
Defense Outlook
The Dolphins operate from a base 3-4 defensive alignment, with key contributors including Jaelan Phillips at cornerback and Jevon Holland at strong safety. This structure complements the offensive depth by allowing Miami to stay competitive in multiple formations without sacrificing speed at the second level.
Key Changes
The depth chart reflects a youth movement across both lines. With the 2025 free agency period having passed, several holes remain at defensive tackle, offensive guard, safety, and cornerback—gaps the Dolphins continue to address through roster moves. Weekly updates from ESPN ensure the chart reflects the latest personnel decisions throughout the season.
Miami Dolphins practice squad
While the practice squad details on miamidolphins.com show current members and eligibility rules, the composition remains fluid week-to-week as the team evaluates developmental talent and addresses roster needs through injuries or performance-based moves.
Current Members
Practice squad information rotates based on week-to-week roster decisions, with the official team site maintaining the most current listing. Players on the practice squad typically include developmental prospects, veterans returning from injury, and depth players not yet ready for active roster spots.
Eligibility Rules
NFL practice squad eligibility follows league guidelines: players with fewer than two accrued seasons can be kept on the practice squad indefinitely, while those with two or more seasons require a exemption to remain eligible. This flexibility allows teams like Miami to carry experienced depth without consuming active roster spots.
For Dolphins fans tracking roster movement, the practice squad serves as a pipeline for future contributors. As the season progresses, expect the team to shuffle practice squad slots based on injury updates and performance observations from coaching staff.
The pattern: Miami maintains practice squad flexibility to address positional needs without disrupting the 53-man roster structure. This approach is typical for teams rebuilding through youth.
Miami Dolphins running backs
The running back depth chart presents a tiered approach featuring four players in clear descending order, according to CBS Sports and ESPN. De’Von Achane anchors the group as the starter, with Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II, and Donovan Edwards filling the second through fourth strings respectively.
Starters
De’Von Achane stands alone as the starter, bringing three years of NFL experience from Texas A&M. At 24 years old, 5’9″, and 191 pounds, Achane offers a compact frame with deceptive speed. His college production at Texas A&M translated directly to the NFL level, making him a reliable option in both the running and passing game.
Depth Chart RB
The backup situation offers intrigue: Jaylen Wright (24, one year NFL experience) provides a change-of-pace alternative with fresh legs from limited previous usage. Ollie Gordon II occupies the third-string role, while Donovan Edwards—a 23-year-old rookie from Michigan—represents the deepest look on the depth chart. Edwards measures 6’1″ and 212 pounds, offering a size advantage over Achane that the coaching staff could leverage in short-yardage situations.
The coaching staff drafted Edwards in the fourth round, signaling they view him as a long-term investment at running back. If Achane misses time, the backup carries significant fantasy and real-world value. Wright and Edwards split practice reps, but only one earns the secondary role behind Achane when game day arrives.
What this means: Miami’s running back room has a clear identity—speed with Achane—but lacks a traditional power back. The coaching staff may need to adjust play-calling if injuries force a shift toward Edwards in goal-line situations.
Miami Dolphins roster
The full Miami Dolphins roster spans offense, defense, and special teams, with the official miamidolphins.com source providing the complete listing updated throughout the 2025-2026 season. Key offensive weapons include Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as starting wide receivers, with Jonnu Smith anchoring the tight end position.
Full List
The roster includes 53 active players plus a practice squad that fluctuates based on weekly roster decisions. Position groups break down as follows: quarterback (3), running back (4), wide receiver (5-6), tight end (3), offensive line (9), defensive line (6), linebacker (5), defensive back (6), and specialists (3). Exact numbers shift based on injury designations and roster moves.
Position Breakdown
The offensive line features Jonah Savaiinaea at left guard and Aaron Brewer at center, anchoring a unit that must protect a rookie quarterback. The defensive front operates under a 3-4 base scheme, with specific personnel packages rotating based on game situation and opponent tendencies.
The roster shows roster construction tension: three quarterbacks consume roster spots that could go toward additional offensive line depth or cornerback depth—both areas where the free agency period left gaps. Miami’s coaching staff must balance developmental investment in Ewers against immediate positional needs.
The trade-off: Miami chose veteran experience at backup quarterback (Willis, 26, four years NFL experience) over additional offensive line depth. If Ewers struggles early, Willis provides a safe fallback—but a stronger offensive line could accelerate Ewers’ development.
Miami dolphins depth chart qb
The quarterback depth chart for Miami breaks into three distinct tiers: starter, primary backup, and developmental third-string. Each tier carries different expectations for 2025-2026: Ewers must start and perform consistently; Willis must be ready to win games on short notice; Miller serves as the future investment.
Quarterback Starters
Quinn Ewers earned the starting job based on his ceiling potential, not his NFL experience. At 23 years old, 6’2″, and 209 pounds, he brings prototypical size for the position with the mobility to extend plays outside the pocket. His college tenure at Texas showed arm strength and field vision that NFL evaluators project to translate—assuming adequate protection from the offensive line.
Backups
Malik Willis represents the bridge between Miami’s past and future at quarterback. With four years of NFL experience from Liberty University, he understands defensive schemes, pre-snap reads, and the speed of professional games. CBS Sports confirms Willis appears as a backup quarterback option on Miami’s depth chart, validating his role as the immediate successor if Ewers falters or gets injured.
Cam Miller rounds out the room as a 24-year-old rookie from North Dakota State. His measurements (6’0″, 211 pounds) suggest a pocket passer identity distinct from both Ewers and Willis. North Dakota State’s pro-style offense should accelerate his transition, though he likely won’t see meaningful snaps in 2025 barring multiple injuries ahead of him.
The Dolphins’ front office built this quarterback room with eyes on multiple seasons, betting that Ewers’s ceiling justifies the rookie learning curve. If Ewers develops faster than expected, Miami’s offensive ceiling rises immediately and the team gains a long-term franchise signal-caller. If he struggles through the first half of the season, Willis offers a proven replacement—though that outcome would force the Dolphins to reset their competitive timeline and reconsider how aggressively they pursue a playoff berth in 2025.
Here is how the depth chart stacks across key positions.
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third String | Fourth String |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Quinn Ewers (23, 6’2″, 209 lbs) | Malik Willis (26, 6’1″, 225 lbs) | Cam Miller (24, 6’0″, 211 lbs) | — |
| Running Back | De’Von Achane (24, 5’9″, 191 lbs) | Jaylen Wright (24) | Ollie Gordon II | Donovan Edwards (23, 6’1″, 212 lbs) |
| Wide Receiver | Malik Washington (WR1) | Jaylen Waddle (WR2) | Tyreek Hill (WR3) | — |
| Tight End | Jonnu Smith (TE1) | — | — | — |
| Left Tackle | Patrick Paul | — | — | — |
| Left Guard | Jonah Savaiinaea | — | — | — |
| Center | Aaron Brewer | Andrew Meyer (C Backup) | — | — |
| Right Guard | James Glover III | — | — | — |
| Cornerback | Jaelan Phillips (CB1) | — | — | — |
| Strong Safety | Jevon Holland (SS) | — | — | — |
Upsides
- Elite quarterback ceiling with Quinn Ewers showing Texas-level arm talent
- Experienced backup in Malik Willis reduces panic if Ewers struggles
- Four-tier running back depth provides insurance at skill position
- Official and ESPN sources sync weekly, ensuring up-to-date information
Downsides
- Ewers has zero NFL experience—steep learning curve expected
- Offensive line gaps left from free agency could expose rookie quarterback
- No proven power back among running back depth for short-yardage situations
- Practice squad fluidity creates uncertainty for developmental players
Nic Rohloff, Dolphins Today Host “The Dolphins depth chart is almost set after NFL free agency. The Dolphins made a few signings to fill out their roster in different spots but several holes are still missing in the defensive tackle, offensive guard, safety and cornerback spot.” Dolphins Today on YouTube
ESPN Sports Media Organization “ESPN’s NFL depth charts for the 2026 season are updated throughout the year with the latest news, updates and intel from across the league.” ESPN NFL Depth Charts for All 32 Teams
Related reading: Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Match Player Stats Breakdown · Bengals vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats – Week 1 Box Score & Leaders
This 2025-26 depth chart projection draws from key insights in the Dolphins-Commanders player stats, where backups like Malik Willis saw action in the Dolphins’ preseason win.
Frequently asked questions
How often does the Miami Dolphins depth chart change?
The official Miami Dolphins depth chart updates throughout the 2025-2026 season as roster moves, injuries, and performance-based adjustments occur. ESPN also maintains weekly updates with the latest intel from across the league. Major changes typically align with free agency periods, the draft, and mid-season waiver claims.
What is the difference between depth chart and roster?
A roster lists all players under contract, including those on injured reserve, the practice squad, and the suspended list. A depth chart specifically shows the hierarchical order of players at each position for game-day readiness. The depth chart is a subset of the roster focused on starter/backup rankings rather than complete roster membership.
Are Miami Dolphins depth charts available for special teams?
Yes. Official sources including miamidolphins.com provide full depth charts covering offense, defense, and special teams. Kickers, punters, long snappers, and return specialists appear in the special teams section alongside their primary position designations.
Who updates the official Miami Dolphins depth chart?
The team’s official website (miamidolphins.com/team/depth-chart) reflects decisions made by the coaching staff and front office. ESPN and CBS Sports maintain independent depth charts based on their own reporting and analysis. Discrepancies between sources may exist and often signal roster discussions happening behind closed doors.
Can I view historical Miami Dolphins depth charts?
Ourlads maintains a historical database of NFL depth charts including Miami Dolphins entries from previous seasons. This resource allows researchers and fans to track how roster composition changed over time, including draft picks, free agent acquisitions, and player performance trends.
What personnel packages does Miami Dolphins use?
The Dolphins employ an 11 personnel package—one running back, one tight end—approximately 39% of offensive plays, per ESPN data. This alignment prioritizes spacing and speed, matching the skill sets of players like De’Von Achane and the receiving corps.
How to interpret NFL depth chart tiers?
NFL depth charts typically rank players from 1st string (starter) through 4th string, sometimes including a “designated rookie” or developmental tier. The ranking reflects coaching staff expectations but doesn’t guarantee playing time—injuries, matchups, and performance in practice can shift responsibilities quickly during the season.