Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley stated that the team was "thin" due to injuries and other factors. Considering the moves that have been made since the free agency period opened in March, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has kept busy.

That is especially true after the Dolphins were awarded a league-leading seven waiver claims. 

Following every 32 teams cutting their roster down from 90 to 53, many players are placed on waivers. This allows other teams to potentially claim said player. 

What makes this interesting for Miami is that they set their initial 53-man roster on Sunday at 6 PM EST. Now, they have seven incoming players and have to cut down that initial roster to make room.

The full list of players claimed are as follows, per the NFL's official transaction wire:

Quarterback Brady Cook (Jets)

Tight end Justin Joly (Broncos)

Defensive back Marcellas Dia (Patriots)

Offensive lineman Chukwuebuka Godrick (Chiefs)

Offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston (Texans)

Defensive back Reese Taylor (Broncos)

Defensive back Julius Wood (Cowboys)

With this many claims, it points to what everyone knows about the Dolphins heading into 2026, the roster overall is in rough shape. 

That was to be expected after Sullivan took over and had to cut quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, linebacker Bradley Chubb, and trade safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

All of this to say that the Dolphins had to build a roster via rookies, undrafted free agents, and low-cost veterans. The result of seven waiver claims is that Sullivan and Hafley see the roster as still not being in tip-top shape.

Hafley himself spoke about building this team the right way and that they cannot be judged by wins and losses. That might be the case in 2026, as the Dolphins continue to navigate their way out of cap hell.

More moves are happening, and this Miami team may look far different between now and when Week 1 rolls around. 

The seven waiver claims aren't the only moves that have happened thus far.

Following Mark Gronowski being waived, he is now being added to the practice squad. Malik Willis, Kyle McCord, and the newly added Cook figure to be QB1, QB2, and QB3, respectively.

Miami also signed defensive end Malik Herring to the active roster, with reports indicating the team was high up on the former Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans defender.

Now, the Dolphins will have to cut seven players from their initial 53-man roster, meaning those seven names will be waived. The presumption would be that the majority of the names that are cut will revert to being signed to the practice squad instead.