The Miami Dolphins have emerged as one of the most active teams in the NFL during the offseason. The franchise appears to be entering a full rebuild, reshaping its roster with younger talent and long-term development in mind. While this approach could lead to growing pains during the 2026 NFL season, the Dolphins’ front office is focused on building a team capable of becoming a consistent championship contender in the future.

Even after selecting 13 players in the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami still has several roster needs to address. One of the most pressing areas remains the offensive line, particularly at the tackle positions. Because of that, analysts have predicted the Dolphins could pursue former Detroit Lions Pro Bowl offensive lineman Taylor Decker in free agency.

Dolphins Could Target Taylor Decker to Strengthen Offensive Line

Miami already took a major step toward improving the offensive line by selecting Kadyn Proctor with the No. 12 overall pick in the draft. During his college career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Proctor primarily played left tackle, but the Dolphins are expected to move him inside to left guard early in his NFL career.

With Proctor projected to shift positions, Miami could still use another experienced tackle.

At the moment, Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson are expected to start at tackle. Paul started all 17 games at left tackle in 2025 and performed relatively well. However, Jackson’s availability remains a concern after appearing in just six games last season, bringing his total to 14 games played over the past two years.

This situation makes Decker an intriguing option for Miami. The veteran lineman has the versatility to play either left or right tackle, giving the Dolphins additional depth and competition along the offensive line.

Why Taylor Decker Makes Sense for Miami

Although Decker earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2024, his performance dipped slightly in 2025, which ultimately led the Detroit Lions to move on from the longtime starter. Despite the regression, Decker still posted an 89.3% pass block win rate last season, the second-lowest mark of his 10-year NFL career, according to Matt Bowen of ESPN.

Bowen believes Decker could still compete for a starting role with many teams across the league.

In Miami, the veteran tackle would likely compete with Patrick Paul for the left tackle position, while Proctor settles into his expected role at left guard.

Dolphins Must Consider Salary Cap Situation

At 33 years old, Decker may be entering the later stages of his career, and questions remain about whether his best seasons are behind him. However, he could still provide valuable leadership, depth, and competition on the offensive line.

Ultimately, Miami’s interest may come down to cost. The Dolphins are currently working through a difficult salary cap situation after taking on a $99.2 million dead cap hit following the release of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earlier this offseason.

Because of that financial strain, adding Decker would only make sense if the contract is affordable. If the price is right, though, the former Pro Bowl tackle could be a smart short-term addition as the Dolphins continue rebuilding their roster.