Miami Dolphins Stock Up on Undrafted Talent: 11 UDFAs Added Ahead of Rookie Minicamp
The Miami Dolphins are officially turning the page to a new era. As the team prepares to host its rookie minicamp this Friday in South Florida, all eyes will naturally be on the 13 players selected in the 2026 NFL draft. But in the modern NFL, championships are often built in the margins. That is why the Dolphins’ front office has been just as busy securing the signatures of 11 undrafted free agents (UDFAs) who will also be taking the practice fields this weekend.
For a franchise undergoing a significant transition—with a new coaching staff, a reshuffled front office, and a roster lacking in veteran depth—these UDFAs represent more than just training camp bodies. They represent opportunity. In a typical year, an undrafted rookie faces near-impossible odds to make a 53-man roster. This year, however, the pathway in Miami looks distinctly more navigable.
Let’s break down the full list of newcomers, analyze which positions offer the most potential for an upset, and predict which of these long shots might actually hear their name called on cut-down day.
Full List of Miami’s 2026 Undrafted Free Agent Signings
Before we dive into the analysis, here is the complete list of the 11 undrafted rookies who will be wearing aqua and orange this weekend, along with their assigned jersey numbers. These players come from a variety of collegiate backgrounds, but they all share one thing in common: a chip on their shoulder.
- RB Deon Harris (No. 38) – Fresno State
- WR Jaylen “Jets” Morrison (No. 83) – Coastal Carolina
- OT Marcus Webb (No. 64) – Texas A&M
- G/T Leo Chen (No. 66) – UCLA
- DE Rashad Timmons (No. 59) – Georgia Tech
- DT Kaleb Stone (No. 97) – Cincinnati
- LB Omar Finch (No. 52) – Arkansas
- CB Trevin Hayes (No. 36) – South Carolina
- S Malik Young (No. 45) – Louisville
- K/P Alex Romero (No. 17) – Florida International
- TE Brendan Cole (No. 87) – San Diego State
While the names may not be household ones, the positional value is immediately apparent. Miami has addressed needs along the offensive line, the defensive line, and the secondary—areas where the team currently lacks proven depth behind its projected starters.
Why This UDFA Class Has a Realistic Path to the Roster
Let’s be honest: most undrafted free agents are destined for the practice squad or an early release. However, the 2026 Miami Dolphins are not a typical team. This roster is currently in a state of flux. The new coaching staff, led by a head coach still establishing his system, has no loyalty to holdover veterans. Furthermore, the front office has made it clear that competition will be fierce at every level.
The biggest factor working in these rookies’ favor is inexperience. Miami’s depth chart is littered with players who have started fewer than 20 games in their careers. This creates a vacuum of proven talent. A standout UDFA who can contribute on special teams and show flashes in a backup role has a genuine chance to leapfrog a mid-tier veteran who was signed on a minimum deal.
Consider the wide receiver room. While the Dolphins have a clear WR1 and WR2, the battle for the WR3, WR4, and WR5 spots is wide open. Recently, an NFL analyst made waves by stating that a Dolphins rookie wide receiver will be a ‘nightmare’ for defenses. While that comment was specifically aimed at a drafted player, it highlights the aggressive, vertical nature of Miami’s offensive philosophy. That same philosophy applies to undrafted wideout Jaylen Morrison, who brings elite speed and a knack for contested catches from his time at Coastal Carolina.
Furthermore, the offensive line is a major question mark. Left tackle is set, but the right side and interior are unsettled. Marcus Webb from Texas A&M and Leo Chen from UCLA are both versatile linemen who can play guard or tackle. In a league where injuries are inevitable, having a swing tackle who can step in without a massive drop-off is worth a roster spot. Don’t be surprised if one of these two linemen earns a spot as the team’s ninth offensive lineman.
Expert Analysis: Three UDFAs to Watch Closely
Every scout and analyst loves a good underdog story. Based on film study, athletic testing, and the specific needs of the Dolphins’ scheme, here are three undrafted rookies who have the highest probability of making the final 53-man roster.
1. LB Omar Finch (Arkansas)
Finch is the type of player that new coaching staffs fall in love with. He is a violent, downhill thumper who excels in run support. At Arkansas, he was the emotional leader of the defense. While he may lack elite sideline-to-sideline speed, the Dolphins’ defense is built on aggression and gap discipline. Finch is a natural fit for a 3-4 base defense as an inside linebacker who can take on blocks and free up the safeties. More importantly, he is a core special teams ace. If he can dominate in punt coverage during the preseason, he will be very difficult to cut.
2. CB Trevin Hayes (South Carolina)
Cornerback is the glamour position in Miami, but depth is thin behind the top two starters. Hayes is a long, press-man corner who thrives in physical coverage. He has the ball skills (4 interceptions in his senior season) to create turnovers, and his 4.45 speed is adequate for the NFL. The key for Hayes will be his ability to play in the slot. The Dolphins need a nickel corner who can blitz and cover slot receivers. If Hayes shows that versatility in minicamp, he could slide into that role and save the team from having to sign a veteran.
3. TE Brendan Cole (San Diego State)
This is the wild card. Miami’s tight end room is currently filled with pass-catching specialists and blocking specialists, but no one who does both at a high level. Cole is a complete tight end. He is a reliable blocker on the edge and has soft hands in the short-to-intermediate passing game. He won’t be a fantasy football star, but he is the type of player who can be a quarterback’s best friend on third down. In a new offensive system that values balance and play-action, a steady tight end like Cole could be the surprise keeper. He is a dark horse to make the roster as the third tight end.
Predictions for the 2026 Rookie Minicamp
As the players take the field in South Florida this weekend, the competition will be intense. Here are my predictions for what we will see from this UDFA group:
- Specialists matter: K/P Alex Romero is a local product from FIU. If he shows a strong leg in camp, he could push the incumbent punter or placekicker. Miami has been looking for stability at kicker for years. Do not rule out a camp battle.
- Defensive line rotation: Rashad Timmons and Kaleb Stone will get heavy reps. The Dolphins want to rotate fresh bodies on the defensive line. If either of these players shows a consistent motor, they will earn a practice squad spot with a chance to be elevated later in the season.
- Speed kills: Jaylen Morrison will likely be the talk of minicamp. His deep speed will create highlight-reel plays in practice. However, he must prove he can run precise routes and handle press coverage. If he does, he will be a candidate for the practice squad or a roster spot as a return specialist.
It is also critical to remember that first impressions matter. The new coaching staff is evaluating everyone with fresh eyes. A player who makes a mistake in a walk-through might be forgotten. A player who makes a spectacular catch or a bone-jarring tackle will be remembered when roster cuts are made in August.
Strong Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Miami’s UDFA Strategy
The Miami Dolphins have made a calculated bet. By signing 11 undrafted free agents, they are flooding the roster with young, hungry talent. They are betting that the competition will elevate the entire team. While the draft picks are the headliners, the UDFAs are the grinders who fill out the depth chart and push starters to be better.
In a year of transition, where a new staff is still building its culture, these 11 players have a unique window. They are not just camp bodies; they are potential building blocks. One of them—whether it is Omar Finch flying down the field on a punt, or Leo Chen holding his own against a starting defensive end—will likely find a way to stick.
For the Dolphins, the rookie minicamp is not just about the 13 draft picks. It is about finding the next undrafted gem who can help turn this franchise into a contender. The 2026 season starts now, and for these 11 young men, the dream is very much alive.
More Dolphins: NFL analyst says Dolphins rookie WR will be a ‘nightmare’ for defenses – and that same energy could apply to these undrafted sleepers.
Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.
