The Miami Dolphins officially inked defensive lineman Malik Herring just one day after the Tennessee Titans cut him loose, a move made right in the thick of NFL roster cuts on September 3, 2026. This isn’t some flashy, headline-grabbing superstar signing; it’s a depth play for a Dolphins squad that’s currently seen as one of the weaker teams in the league, and they desperately need to improve their defensive line.
Miami’s Post-Cut Shuffle and Defensive Needs
Miami wasn’t just bringing in Herring, 28, either. This wasn’t a solo operation. The Dolphins scooped him up alongside “numerous other players” off waivers as part of a frantic roster shuffle following those initial cuts. It’s a full-on roster shake-up, clearly aimed at bolstering a defense that needed some serious help. Herring, a formidable 6-foot-3, 275-pound former Georgia Bulldog, has a reputation for being good against the run. When your team is getting tagged as “one of the weaker teams in the NFL,” you better believe every single piece matters. Every tackle, every push on the line, every play counts. Getting a guy who can clog up those rushing lanes? That’s a fundamental piece of the puzzle. The Dolphins are trying to build something here, or at least stabilize the ship, and adding a guy like Herring speaks volumes about where they see their immediate weaknesses.
From Chiefs Champion to Dolphin Depth Piece
Now, let’s talk about Malik Herring’s background, because it’s pretty wild for a depth signing. This dude went undrafted out of Georgia, where he played college football from 2017 to 2020. But he carved out an NFL niche for himself with the Kansas City Chiefs, playing for them from 2022 to 2025. We’re not talking about a practice squad guy here. Herring appeared in 28 regular season games with Kansas City. Think about that: almost two full seasons worth of games over four years. And it gets better: he also played in *four* playoff games. This isn’t just some camp body. And get this: the man has won a pair of Super Bowls. Yeah, you read that right. TWO rings! That’s a ton of winning experience, a veteran presence that has seen the pinnacle of the sport. His career stats show 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks. It might not scream “Pro Bowl,” but it definitely screams “experienced veteran presence” for a team that desperately needs it. Can that winning culture rub off, even from a depth piece? Miami can only hope.
So, what does this all mean for the Dolphins now that the dust has settled on the roster cuts? They kick off their season on September 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Herring’s ability to be stout against the run, coupled with his big-game experience and those Super Bowl rings, might not be flashy, but it could be a quiet, essential asset. Every veteran on a “weaker team” has a chance to step up, and Herring is now part of that challenge. Miami has work to do, and the first test comes against the Raiders. Let’s see if this veteran addition makes an immediate impact.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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