Miami Dolphins Execute Post-Draft Roster Moves Following NFL Draft
The Miami Dolphins have parted ways with seven players in post-draft roster moves, marking the beginning of significant churn expected throughout the NFL offseason.
The Miami Dolphins have executed post-draft roster moves to part ways with seven players, a shift that reflects the typical volatility of NFL offseason rosters immediately following the draft. The cuts include the official release of long snapper Taybor Pepper and waivers for punter Seth Vernon, inside linebacker K.C. Ossai, edge rusher Derrick McLendon, tight end Zack Kuntz, and cornerbacks Jason Maitre and Isaiah Johnson.
Among the departures, Pepper stands out as the most-tenured player on the cut list, having played 100 games across the Packers, Dolphins, and 49ers, including nine playoff snaps with San Francisco. While Pepper was officially released, the other six players were waived, with cornerbacks Jason Maitre and Isaiah Johnson specifically designated as waived due to failed physical examinations.
The roster adjustments also involve players with varying levels of prior experience with the franchise. Isaiah Johnson previously appeared in four games for the Dolphins in 2025 as a special teams player, while edge rusher Derrick McLendon has played for the team in a single game. Conversely, inside linebacker K.C. Ossai and cornerback Jason Maitre have not yet appeared in a regular-season NFL game.
Other notable moves include the waiver of punter Seth Vernon, who most recently punted in the UFL for the Michigan Panthers in 2025, and tight end Zack Kuntz, who played part of two seasons with the New York Jets. These waivers leave Vernon eligible to return to the UFL or seek a contract with another team.
The Sporting News reports that these cuts are not the final roster moves for the Dolphins. Given the large offseason rosters in the NFL, the team is expected to make further moves as the offseason continues, with the final roster composition remaining undetermined at this stage.
