Dolphins Facing Holes at Key Positions After Offseason Cuts

Miami must address receiver, edge rusher, and guard after releasing several starters

Feb. 18, 2026 at 12:07pm

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The Miami Dolphins made a flurry of roster moves on Monday, releasing several key players including wide receiver Tyreek Hill, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, and guard James Daniels. These cuts have left the Dolphins with significant holes to fill at multiple important positions heading into the offseason.

Why it matters

The Dolphins' roster overhaul will force the team to be active in free agency and the draft to rebuild their depth chart, especially at wide receiver, edge rusher, and guard. These position groups were already areas of need, and the recent cuts have exacerbated the problems, making it critical for the Dolphins to address them effectively this offseason.

The details

At wide receiver, the Dolphins are left with Jaylen Waddle as the only proven commodity, surrounded by a group of unproven players like Malik Washington, Tahj Washington, and Terrace Marshall Jr. The team will need to add size and production to complement Waddle's skills. On the edge, the Dolphins' pass rush is in shambles after the release of Chubb, leaving Chop Robinson as the top option, supported by a lackluster group. Miami will likely need to invest multiple draft picks to rebuild this unit. The guard position is also a major concern, with only Jonah Savaiinaea as a returning starter after the release of Daniels. The Dolphins will need to find new starters, either through the draft or free agency.

  • On February 17, 2026, the Dolphins announced they had released wide receiver Tyreek Hill, wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and guard James Daniels.
  • There are also reports that edge rusher Bradley Chubb will be cut, which might not become official until March 11 if it winds up being a post-June 1 cut.

The players

Tyreek Hill

A former wide receiver for the Dolphins who was released on February 17, 2026.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

A former wide receiver for the Dolphins who was released on February 17, 2026.

James Daniels

A former guard for the Dolphins who was released on February 17, 2026.

Bradley Chubb

An edge rusher who is expected to be released by the Dolphins, potentially as a post-June 1 cut.

Jaylen Waddle

The Dolphins' top wide receiver, who is now the only proven commodity in the team's receiving corps.

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What’s next

The Dolphins will need to be active in free agency and the draft to address the holes created by these roster moves, particularly at wide receiver, edge rusher, and guard. The team has five top-100 picks in the upcoming draft, which they can use to rebuild these position groups.

The takeaway

The Dolphins' offseason roster moves have left them with significant holes to fill at key positions, underscoring the importance of effective roster management and strategic decision-making in the NFL. The team will need to be proactive and creative in their approach to the offseason in order to field a competitive team in 2026.