The Miami Dolphins are wrapping up their month-long summer break after they held their first minicamp sessions and organized team activities under new head coach Jeff Hafley earlier in the offseason.
In less than a week, the Dolphins will have their rookies back in the building, as they report on Tuesday, July 21, with the veterans coming back exactly a week later on Tuesday, July 28.
Before training camp starts at Miami’s Baptist Health Training Complex in South Florida, we’re going through every position group, discussing each player and stating their projected role for 2026. Today, we’ll continue with the defensive line room.
Kenneth Grant
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 earning All-Big Ten honors twice and All-American honors once. He didn’t exactly live up to expectations as a rookie, so this year will be a big one for the former Wolverine.
Career Stats: 17 games (5 starts), 33 tackles, 5 quarterback hits, 2 sacks and 1 pass defensed.
Projected Role: Starter
Zach Sieler
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 they waived him midway through his second season. Miami claimed him in 2019, and he’s been a staple on their defensive line since, earning multiple extensions and captainships.
Career Stats: 108 games (82 starts), 357 tackles (59 for a loss), 78 quarterback hits, 35.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, 6 fumble recoveries, 5 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions.
Projected Role: Starter
Jordan Phillips
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 will likely be around where he finishes in 2026.
Career Stats: 17 games (16 starts), 34 tackles, 1 quarterback hit
Projected Role: Rotational
Zeek Biggers
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 on some of those reps.
Career Stats: 9 games, 20 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks
Projected Role: Rotational
Matthew Butler
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 of waivers last year. He went on to play a depth/rotational role last year and re-signed with the team this offseason.
Career Stats: 27 games (2 starts), 27 tackles, 3 quarterback hits and 0.5 sacks.
Projected Role: Depth/Practice Squad Candidate
Alex Huntley
Huntley, 24, played at South Carolina from 2020-24 before the Dolphins signed him as an undrafted free agent last offseason. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract this year.
College Stats: 50 games, 82 tackles (8 for a loss), 6 passes defensed, 4 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.
Projected Role: Practice Squad Candidate
Keith Cooper Jr.
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 out of camp. After some time on their practice squad and the Cleveland Browns practice squad, he laned with the Dolphins this offseason.
College Stats: 51 games, 119 tackles (24.5 for a loss), 14 sacks, 8 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
Projected Role: Practice Squad Candidate
Rene Konga
Konga is from Canada and began his collegiate career at Rutgers, spending four years with the Scarlett Knights from 2020-23, before transferring to Louisville for two years and earning All-ACC honors once. The 23-year-old impressed with an incredible 9.78 Relative Athletic Score this year, making him an intriguing developmental prospect.
College Stats: 44 games, 63 tackles (11 for a loss), 8 passes defensed, 6 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
Projected Role: Depth/Practice Squad Candidate
Kahlil Saunders
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 weighed in at 287 pounds at the combine. His 8.57 Relative Athletic Score is intriguing, which is probably what led to the Dolphins taking a flyer on him as an undrafted free agent this year.
College Stats: 51 games, 77 tackles (12 for a loss) and 4.5 sacks.
Projected Role: Practice Squad Candidate
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins training camp preview: DL room has potential in 2026
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire | USA TODAY Network
