Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley Names His BIGGEST SURPRISE From The 2026 NFL Draft & More

In this episode of Locked On Dolphins, host Kyle Krabs dives into key developments from the 2026 NFL Draft and offseason roster moves. Head coach Jeff Hafley reveals that linebacker Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech was his biggest surprise in the draft, as he expected Rodriguez to be selected earlier given his elite upside, leadership, and playmaking ability. Hafley’s emphasis on linebackers who excel in space and his focus on youth, size, and athleticism in early picks reinforce the Dolphins’ long-term drafting philosophy. The episode also covers the recent three-year, $54 million extension signed by Houston Texans’ Aziz Alshair, which sets a precedent for how the Dolphins might approach extending their own star linebacker, Jordan Brooks. With Brooks’ contract still untouched and his cap charge at $10.8 million, the Dolphins have a clear financial opportunity to restructure and extend him for less than $20 million in cash, potentially saving $3 million in cap space. Meanwhile, the team made several roster cuts, releasing specialists like Derek McClendon and Isaiah Johnson, while securing an international roster exemption for tight end Sadu Traore, who was drafted on Day 3. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming rookie minicamps and the Dolphins’ continued focus on building depth through strategic drafting and contract management.