The 2026 Miami Dolphins are closing in on the start of their training camp, with just days remaining before the rookies start reporting. The 90-in-90 series (which, admittedly, has seen a few breaks in what is supposed to be a daily series) continues today with a look at a veteran who will be battling with several rookies this summer.
The team’s top linebackers are still Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, but the team added rookies Jacob Rodriguez (2nd round) and Kyle Louis (4th round) in the 2026 Draft
to bolster the position group. Ronnie Harrison, Jr., also joins the position group this year, signing a one-year contract to provide veteran depth to the position – even if he has to battle through the rookies to find playing time.
Biography
Name: Ronnie Harrison, Jr.
Number: 56
Position: Linebacker
Height / Weight: 6’2” / 207 pounds
Age (at start of season): 29
Experience: 9th season
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-2019)
- Cleveland Browns (2020-2022)
- Indianapolis Colts (2023-2024)
- Atlanta Falcons (2025)
College: Alabama
Draft: 2018 3rd round (93rd overall) – Jacksonville Jaguars
Acquired: 2026 free agent signing
Contract and 2026 salary cap
Contract: 1-year, $1.4 million
2026 salary cap: $1.2 million
Contract details via OverTheCap.com.
2025 review
Games played: 10 (4 starts)
Tackles: 29
Passes defensed: 2
Sacks: 2.0
Harrison was signed as a late training camp addition in Atlanta, then started the 2025 season on the Falcons’ practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in October. He only played about 40 percent of the defensive snaps for the team during the season, working as a rotational player, but he did appear in 67 percent of the special teams snaps.
Tre’Shon Diaz at SB Nation’s Falcons team site, The Falcoholic, reviewed Harrison’s 2025 campaign, writing:
The late camp addition proved to be a well-timed signing. Harrison would end up supplanting Bertrand as the third linebacker in rotation, and it was because he could handle the speed of the game. He also provided some juice in pressure packages, racking up seven pressures and two sacks. For the cost of his services (1.2 M), Harrison was a bargain.
However, there were still faults with his game. Harrison had the highest missed tackle rate (20.6%) in the Falcons linebacker room. His slimmer stature also showed up in the run game, where he struggled taking on linemen. It’s unlikely he’s poised for a larger role in the future, but he’s proved that he can be a serviceable option in relief and has earned a shot at coming back in 2026.
Offseason moves
Inside linebacker signings: Willie Gay, Jr. (re-signed), Ronnie Harrison
Released: Jordan Colbert (failed physical), K.C. Ossai
Drafted: Jacob Rodriguez (2nd round), Kyle Louis (4th round)
2026 expectations
Re-read the last sentence Diaz wrote about Harrison’s 2025 season to get an idea of what the former safety-turned-linebacker could be for Miami this year. He is a special teams player who can rotate into the defensive lineup when needed, but he is not likely to be a major member of the rotation. The Dolphins, in a year where they are resetting the roster and salary cap, are likely to prefer to play the rookies ahead of a veteran who has limitations to his game – especially if he struggles with tackling. He is probably on the roster bubble for Miami already and has to show he can be an asset on special teams to solidify his position on the roster. Harrison is probable a practice squad projection at this point, allowing the team to keep a veteran option if needed, but not using a roster spot on him.
