The Miami Dolphins made significant roster moves on Monday, May 4, 2026, as they prepare to welcome their 2026 undrafted free agent (UDFA) class to rookie minicamp. The most notable transactions included the release of veteran long snapper Taybor Pepper and the waiving of cornerback Isaiah Johnson, who did not clear his physical examination. Alongside tight end Zack Kuntz and several other players, these moves were designed to clear roster space and cap room ahead of a competitive offseason.
These roster adjustments come shortly after the Dolphins completed a franchise-record 13-pick 2026 NFL Draft under the guidance of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. Entering the offseason with limited salary cap flexibility, the Dolphins face tough decisions to balance veteran presence with the influx of rookie talent.
Taybor Pepper Released: End of a Reliable Veteran's Miami Tenure
The release of Taybor Pepper stands out as one of the most surprising cuts. Pepper, who signed with the Dolphins in March 2026 after previously spending four seasons in Miami, had been a paragon of consistency, appearing in every game since the 2022 season. He offered the special teams unit dependable long snapping and veteran leadership, qualities highly valued in that specialist role.
However, Pepper carried a cap hit of roughly $1.5 million for the 2026 season. With the Dolphins needing to open roster spots and trim costs, releasing Pepper saves approximately $1.1 million in cap space and creates an opportunity for either undrafted rookies or cheaper veterans to compete for the long snapper position.
The move suggests the Dolphins are confident in the abilities of Tucker Addington, currently the only other long snapper on the roster. Addington, an undrafted free agent from Prairie View A&M who spent parts of the 2025 season on Miami's practice squad, has been with the Dolphins through offseason workouts and will now engage in a competition with incoming rookies for the job.
Pepper's departure leaves an emotional gap, as his presence was a stabilizing force in the special teams room. Yet, in the business of the NFL, fiscal and roster flexibility often outweigh continuity, especially heading into a demanding training camp.
Isaiah Johnson Waived Following Failed Physical
Cornerback Isaiah Johnson, who inked a futures contract with the Dolphins in January 2026, was waived due to a failed physical. Johnson, a former Las Vegas Raiders fourth-round pick, had yet to make a significant impact at the NFL level due to injuries and limited playing time.
The failed physical designation indicates Johnson was unable to meet Miami's medical standards to continue with the team, possibly leading to an injury settlement or a release with that tag. While Johnson's departure slightly reduces depth in the defensive backfield, Miami's cornerback group remains competitive with players like JuJu Brents, Jason Marshall Jr., and Alex Austin.
The Dolphins' defensive backs coach (name withheld per policy) will likely turn to younger, developmental players such as Ethan Bonner, Storm Duck, and Chris Johnson to vie for backup cornerback roles during offseason activities and training camp.
Zack Kuntz and Others Waived: Tight End Room Adjusts
Tight end Zack Kuntz was also among the players waived. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Kuntz joined the Dolphins' practice squad last season after originally being drafted by the New York Jets in 2023 but never secured a consistent role in Miami's offense.
With Kuntz's release, the Dolphins lean on a remaining tight end group that includes Jalin Conyers, Greg Dulcich, Ben Sims, Cole Turner, Will Kacmarek, and Seydou Traore--a blend of veterans and developmental players. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik favors tight ends who demonstrate versatility and route-running prowess over mere size or athleticism, factors that influenced Kuntz's release.
Miami's coaching staff signals confidence that either current roster players or incoming undrafted rookies can fill the void left by Kuntz, preserving positional depth for the coming season.
Context: Making Room for a Record 13 Draft Picks and UDFA Class
The Dolphins' roster cuts come amid a bustling offseason shaped by a record 13 draft selections, making the task of fitting all new talent onto a 90-man roster particularly challenging. Alongside this unprecedented draft haul, an accompanying undrafted free agent signing frenzy is expected, with 15-20 rookies arriving for rookie minicamp starting May 9.
The Dolphins released or waived approximately seven players on Monday, most categorized as fringe veterans or developmental prospects who no longer fit the team's evolving plans or salary structure. Miami continues to juggle cap constraints while seeking to maximize competitiveness across all units.
Salary Cap and Strategic Considerations
Miami's front office faces a tricky budget situation. The rookie class alone will consume an estimated $8-10 million in cap space this year. Releasing higher-priced veterans like Pepper, and waiving players not medically cleared like Johnson, is a prudent move to ensure sufficient cap room to extend key players later in the season and maintain flexibility for midseason acquisitions.
General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley prioritizing competition, cost-effectiveness, and youth development illustrate a forward-thinking approach to roster construction.
Looking Forward: UDFA Class and Future Battles
With rookie minicamp scheduled to begin on May 9, the newly freed roster slots will be filled with undrafted prospects looking to earn a place in Miami's roster. Primary focus areas include offensive line depth, defensive backfield competition, and special teams contributors.
The long snapper competition between Tucker Addington and one or more UDFA hopefuls will be an intriguing subplot, given Pepper's recent release. Similarly, the cornerback group and tight end room will see battles shaped by youth, health, and versatility.
Coach Jeff Hafley has emphasized that no one is guaranteed a roster spot entering the 2026 season. These early roster moves send a clear message: Miami is a meritocracy built on performance and potential.
Conclusion
The May 4 roster moves--releasing Taybor Pepper, waiving Isaiah Johnson and Zack Kuntz, among others--are the first dominoes falling in what promises to be a dynamic, competitive Miami Dolphins offseason. While these decisions carry emotional weight due to the veteran presence lost, they are grounded in effective team-building and salary cap management.
For Pepper, Johnson, and Kuntz, opportunities to latch onto other NFL teams remain, as the league is ever in flux. For the Dolphins, however, the 2026 journey has officially begun. The roster shakeup sets the stage for an intense summer of competition as Miami endeavors to blend a historic rookie class with its core veterans, aiming to ascend in the AFC East and beyond.
This article has been updated to reflect confirmed roster transactions occurring on May 4, 2026, per multiple credible sources including DolphinsWire and NFL transaction trackers. Coaching and roster personnel have been verified against current official team data.