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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 30: Dante Trader Jr. #11 of the Miami Dolphins exits the field during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on October 30, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Miami Dolphins continue to prepare for the 2026 season, completing the fifth of their nine scheduled Organized Team Activities on Wednesday. As the Dolphins continue their on-field workouts, we continue our look at their 2026 roster, taking a closer look at every member of their 90 players (or in Miami’s case, 91 players due to a roster exemption). We have spent the last two breakdowns taking a look at offensive players. Today, we return to the defense.
Miami’s secondary has been a much-discussed aspect of their roster this offseason. While much of the focus has been on the cornerback group, the safeties are also heading into 2026 retooled, especially with the team trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick this offseason. Second-year player Dante Trader, Jr., will be looking to step into a larger role this year after a solid rookie season.
Biography
Name: Dante Trader, Jr.
Number: 11
Position: Safety
Height / Weight: 5’11” / 202 pounds
Age (at start of season): 23
Experience: 2nd year
College: Maryland
Draft: 2025 5th-round (155th overall)
Acquired: 2025 5th-round
Contract and 2026 salary cap
Contract: 4-year, $4.6 million
2026 salary cap: $1.1 million
Contract details via OverTheCap.com.
2025 review
Games played: 17 (3 starts)
Tackles: 55
Passes defensed: 1
Forced fumbles: 1
Fumble recoveries: 1
Trader played on both special teams and defense throughout the season, appearing on 60 percent of the special teams plays and 39 percent of the defensive snaps. The Dolphins asked more of Trader as the season progressed and he responded. He played through a shoulder injury during the season and he proved himself to be a strong tackler who can be counted on to man the back end of the defense or support up in the box.
Offseason moves
Safety signings: Zane Anderson, Omar Brown, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., Louis Moore (UDFA)
Traded: Minkah Fitzpatrick (to New York Jets)
Drafted: Kyle Louis (4th round), Michael Taaffee (5th round)
2026 expectations
Trader is in a position to take a huge step forward for the Dolphins this year. He should be penciled in as the starting strong safety heading into training camp and he could quickly find himself inked into that position. He has the athleticism, size, and attitude to be a breakout player for Miami’s defense this year, and head coach Jeff Hafley will look to design the secondary to play to Trader’s strengths.
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