MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins need to strike on many or most of their 2026 NFL Draft picks.
For the record, there are 13.
The Dolphins have the youngest roster in the NFL and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley will be focused on player development this season.
It would have been easy to say Malik Willis — as the incoming quarterback — is the most important player for the Dolphins in 2026.
Clearly, Willis is extremely important.
But we chose to make a point about the importance of some players who must break out in order to accelerate Miami’s dramatic rebuild.
So, the most important for the Dolphins in 2026? It’s edge Chop Robinson.
(We ranked Willis #2.)
Robinson was a first-round pick. He’s got 10 sacks in two seasons, including only four last season.
“I know I’m a whole different guy, a whole different player,” Robinson says.
Edge rushers are right up there with quarterbacks and cornerbacks as far as the most important and most expensive positions on a good NFL roster.
Miami needs Chop, who has added weight and strength, to blossom in a new system that would seem to cater to his skills. Miami has a desperate need at pass rush and at least 10 sacks should be Chop’s 2026 goal.
Miami Dolphins players, ranked by 2026 importance
1. Chop Robinson, Edge
The Dolphins need Chop Robinson to fulfill his potential.
2. Malik Willis, QB
The Dolphins hope they’ve struck gold with Willis.
3. Chris Johnson, CB
The rookie cornerback must be an impactful starter.
4. Kadyn Proctor, G
Proctor must solidify Miami’s OL before a likely shift to tackle in ’27.
5. De’Von Achane, RB
Achane is far and way the Dolphins’ most talented player.
6. Chris Bell, WR
Ahead of schedule in recovery from a knee injury, can Bell be Miami’s A.J. Brown?
7. Kenneth Grant, DT
Grant will miss at least four games with a lower-body injury. He cannot end up a first-round bust.
8. Jonah Savaiinaea, G
Jonah looks better at RG than LG. If he can even just be capable that’s a Miami win.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 8 most important Dolphins players for 2026. No. 1 might surprise you