The Miami Dolphins are closing out their summer break after holding their first mini-sessions and planning team activities under new head coach Jeff Hafley for the start of the season.
In less than a week, the Dolphins will be back in the building, as they report on Tuesday, July 21, and the veterans will return one week later on Tuesday, July 28.
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Before training camp begins at Miami’s Baptist Health Training Complex in South Florida, we’re going through every aspect of the team, discussing each player and stating his projected role for 2026. Today, we will continue with the defensive line room.
Kenneth Grant
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 21: Kenneth Grant #90 of the Miami Dolphins shouts as he runs down the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Grant was Miami’s first-round pick (No. 13 overall) in the 2025 NFL draft out of Michigan, where he won a national championship and earned All-Big Ten honors twice and All-American honors once. He didn’t live up to expectations as a rookie, so this year will be big for the former Wolverine.
Job Statistics: 17 games (5 starts), 33 tackles, 5 quarterback hits, 2 sacks and 1 pass defensed.
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Fictional Role: The beginner
Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Zach Sieler (92) runs down the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Images by Jeff Romance-Imagn
Sieler, 30, played at Ferris State from 2013-17, earning All-GLIAC honors twice and the GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Award twice. The Baltimore Ravens took him in the seventh round (No. 238 overall) of the 2018 NFL draft, but released him midway through his sophomore season. Miami claimed him in 2019, and he has been a mainstay on their defensive line ever since, earning multiple extensions and captaincy.
Job Statistics: 108 games (82 starts), 357 tackles (59 for the loss), 78 quarterback hits, 35.5 sacks, 16 passes defended, 6 fumble recoveries, 5 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions.
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Fictional Role: The beginner
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 12: Jordan Phillips #94 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
Phillips, 22, split his collegiate career between Tennessee (2022) and Maryland (2023-24) before the Dolphins took him in the fifth round (No. 143 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft. As a rookie, he played nearly 50% of the team’s defensive snaps, and that’s likely to be where he ends up in 2026.
Job Statistics: 17 games (16 starts), 34 tackles, 1 quarterback hit
Fictional Role: Circulation
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 07: Brady Cook #4 of the New York Jets snaps the ball under pressure from Zeek Biggers #93 of the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 07, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Biggers, 22, played at Georgia Tech from 2021-24 before the Dolphins selected him in the seventh round (No. 253 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft. As a rookie, he played over 35% of the team’s defensive snaps. With Benito Jones leaving in the offseason, he could take some of those reps.
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Job Statistics: 9 games, 20 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks
Fictional Role: Circulation
Matthew Butler
Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (11) tackles Miami Dolphins defensive end Matthew Butler (91) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Images by Jeff Romance-Imagn
Butler, 27, spent five years at Tennessee from 2017-21 before the Las Vegas Raiders took him in the fifth round (No. 175 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. After three years with the Raiders, Miami claimed Butler off waivers last year. He continued to play a deep/rotational role last year and re-signed with the team this offseason.
Job Statistics: 27 games (2 starts), 27 tackles, 3 quarterback hits and 0.5 sacks.
Fictional Role: Candidate for the Depth/Practice Team
Alex Huntley
December 30, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive lineman Alex Huntley (95) reacts after sacking North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) (not pictured) in the first quarter during the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Huntley, 24, played at South Carolina from 2020-24 before the Dolphins signed him as an undrafted free agent last season. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad and signed a final/future contract this year.
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College statistics: 50 games, 82 tackles (8 for loss), 6 passes defensed, 4 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
Fictional Role: Practice Squad Candidate
Keith Cooper Jr.
Detroit Lions defensive end Keith Cooper Jr. (64) shown on the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.
Cooper, 23, split his collegiate career between Tulane (2021-23) and Houston (2024), where he earned All-Big 12 honors once. As an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Detroit Lions but failed to make their roster in camp. After time on their practice squad and the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad, he joined the Dolphins this offseason.
College statistics: 51 games, 119 tackles (24.5 for loss), 14 sacks, 8 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
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Fictional Role: Practice Squad Candidate
Rene Konga
September 17, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Rene Konga (90) looks on against the Temple Owls during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Konga is from Canada and began his collegiate career at Rutgers, spending four years with the Scarlet Knights from 2020-23, before transferring to Louisville for two years and earning All-ACC honors once. The 23-year-old has impressed with an impressive 9.78 Relative Athletic Score this year, giving him tremendous potential for improvement.
College statistics: 44 games, 63 tackles (11 for loss), 8 passes defensed, 6 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
Fictional Role: Candidate for the Depth/Practice Team
Kahlil Saunders
Auburn Tigers quarterback Ashton Daniels (12) is sacked by Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders (92) as the Auburn Tigers face the Kentucky Wildcats at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Auburn Tigers 10-3.
After being a three-star recruit out of high school, Saunders spent five years at Kentucky from 2021-25. The 23-year-old is 6-foot-3 and weighs 287 pounds at the combine. His 8.57 Relative Athletic Score is impressive, which may be what led the Dolphins to take a flier on him as an undrafted free agent this year.
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College statistics: 51 games, 77 tackles (12 for loss) and 4.5 sacks.
Fictional Role: Practice Squad Candidate
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins training camp preview: DL room strong in 2026
