Getty

The Miami Dolphins signed fullback DJ Herman as a replacement for Alec Ingold

This offseason for the Miami Dolphins was all about getting younger and cheaper. That became necessary after Miami failed to post winning records in consecutive seasons, and due to the way the roster was constructed, the team was only set to get more expensive.

As a result, the Dolphins moved on from the previous regime featuring general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel. Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley came over from Green Bay and took on those roles for the Dolphins. Their first order of business was shedding a large portion of Miami’s expensive contracts.

Some of the players Miami moved on from included Pro Bowl talent like Tyreek Hill, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bradley Chubb, Alec Ingold, Tua Tagovailoa and Jason Sanders. Now, Miami has decided to address one of those departures as they have added a player at his position.

Miami Dolphins Sign Fullback

The Miami Dolphins announced they had signed undrafted fullback DJ Herman, who played linebacker at San Diego State. The move comes after Miami lost Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. Regarding the move, Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper wrote:

“The team announced that they have signed DJ Herman, who is listed as a fullback after playing linebacker at San Diego State. Herman took part in the team’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

Herman went undrafted earlier this year and appeared in 49 games while in college. He had 56 tackles and a tackle for loss while also seeing a lot of playing time on special teams.

The Dolphins do not have any other players listed at fullback on their current roster and special teams will likely a big part of Herman’s bid to make the cut in Miami.”

Despite the Dolphins utilizing a fullback over the past four seasons, in which Alec Ingold made the Pro Bowl in 2023, it was not a certainty that Miami would address that position once Ingold followed former head coach Mike McDaniel to the Los Angeles Chargers. New offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik previously stated that a fullback is not required as he previously said, “I’ve used a fullback before. I think it’s powerful within the offense. I don’t think it’s required.”

Miami Herald writer Barry Jackson added that the Dolphins had 10 rookies try out during minicamp, and Herman was the only one who was signed by the team.

Dolphins Minicamp

Herman will join his former college teammate Chris Johnson with the Dolphins. Johnson was Miami’s second first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and according to Miami Herald writer Isaiah Smalls, the rookie facing the highest expectations on the team.

Smalls wrote:

“As the second of two first-round picks, Johnson knows the Miami Dolphins are heavily invested in his success. He, of course, wants to prove them right. And while offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor will likely endure most of the focus as the Dolphins’ first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s the former San Diego State standout who will have a higher set of expectations.

“I definitely feel good about it,” Johnson said Friday when asked about being a foundational player for the new regime. “It’s not really pressure for me. I love expectations. I love high expectations. I hold myself to those.”

The expectations piece is in part linked to the history of coach Jeff Hafley. Before his days with the Green Bay Packers, before Boston College and before Ohio State, Hafley got his start as a defensive backs coach. That Johnson was Hafley’s first selection in the secondary means he will not only be asked to contribute early but will surely have his coach’s attention from the onset.”