The Miami Dolphins have accomplished their first of three video games through the 2024 NFL Preseason, coming away with the 20-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Friday. Because the mid-point of coaching camp approaches, it’s time to take one other take a look at the expected 53-man roster for the crew and see what, if any, modifications could also be made.
Who had a powerful sufficient efficiency in opposition to the Falcons to maneuver from the flawed aspect of the roster lower bubble to the suitable aspect? Who might be a shock to make the roster? Who is likely to be regulated to a observe squad position this yr?
There are a variety of observe reps nonetheless to be carried out and two full video games to be performed, however the crew’s roster appears to already be taking form. Right here is our newest 53-man roster projection for the Dolphins.
Quarterbacks (2)
Tua TagovailoaMike White
No modifications.
The performances of White and Skylar Thompson throughout Friday’s recreation didn’t present a variety of confidence in Miami’s two backup quarterbacks. The projection stays the identical, with White making the roster behind the Professional Bowler Tagovailoa and Thompson a observe squad possibility (regardless of beginning Friday’s recreation), however this might be an space the place Miami considers signing a free agent sooner or later.
Working backs (5)
Raheem MostertDe’Von AchaneJaylen Wright (R)Chris BrooksJeff Wilson, Jr. – Added
Wilson strikes onto the roster as a result of a powerful begin to coaching camp and seeing good taking part in time on Friday. He was not the perfect operating again on the sphere, solely selecting up seven yards on 5 carries, however he was energetic within the passing recreation and it feels just like the Dolphins have been seeking to see what he might carry to the roster. You might make the argument that Miami is extra more likely to go together with solely 4 rushers, or that Salvon Ahmed, as soon as cleared from the non-football harm listing, might escape and declare the spot over Wilson by the top of the preseason.
Fullback (1)
Alec Ingold
No modifications.
Tight ends (3)
Durham SmytheJonnu SmithJulian Hill
No modifications.
Tanner Conner’s three receptions and 70 receiving yards have been each recreation highs and it launches him from battling for a observe squad place to sitting firmly on the roster bubble. May the Dolphins preserve 4 tight ends? Smythe, Smith, and Hill all appears locks to make the roster, with Conner the primary participant off the roster at this level. Jody Fortson appears to have fallen again within the battle for a depth place. Each Conner and Fortson sustained accidents in opposition to the Falcons, which might sluggish them down in camp this week. Rookie Hayden Rucci is hoping for a observe squad position.
Large receivers (6)
Tyreek HillJaylen WaddleOdell Beckham, Jr.Malik Washington (R)River CracraftBraxton Berrios
No modifications.
The highest three, Hill, Waddle, and Beckham, are locks, whereas Washington was a presumed lock for the roster earlier than the sport and now there isn’t a strategy to doubt the rookie making the roster. Cracraft nonetheless makes the roster as a favourite for the teaching employees and Berrios provides the Dolphins the return possibility they like. Erik Ezukanma ought to have factored into the place battle, however he’s once more sidelined by an harm and he might not have a path to the roster anymore. Willie Snead IV and Kyric McGowan have been latest additions to the crew, however they really feel extra like camp our bodies than components within the roster competitors proper now. Anthony Schwartz, Braylon Sanders, Mathew Sexton, or rookie Je’Quan Burton must do one thing shortly to make an affect in the event that they wish to stick with the crew into the common season. Rookie seventh-round draft decide Tahj Washington landed on injured reserve already.
Offensive line (9)
Terron ArmsteadRobert JonesAaron BrewerLiam EichenbergAustin JacksonPatrick Paul (R)Kendall LammJack DriscollLester Cotton – Added
Adjustments: Isaiah Wynn’s harm might pressure the guard to start out the season on the bodily unable to carry out listing, liberating up a roster spot however including one more query mark to the offensive line. Cotton fills the roster spot created.
Wynn’s harm is simply the tip of the iceberg for the Dolphins’ offensive line, which is already beginning the be hit by the bug this yr. Presumed beginning middle Brewer is anticipated to overlook no less than a couple of weeks with a hand harm. Kion Smith sustained an ACL tear through the recreation and is out for the yr. Miami could also be pressured to usher in a free agent to no less than present depth.
Armstead stays the left sort out, Jones slides into the beginning proper guard place with Wynn’s harm, Brewer nonetheless tasks because the beginning middle if he returns earlier than the season begins, Eichenberg is probably going the beginning left guard, and Jackson takes the beginning left sort out position.
Rookie Paul performed deep into the sport on Friday, gaining precious expertise and persevering with his improvement to finally exchange Armstead at left sort out. He possible sits behind Lamm, who works because the game-day swing sort out, for no less than the early a part of the season. Driscoll supplies guard depth and Cotton slides onto the roster.
Ryan Hayes might make a case to make the roster over Cotton with a powerful preseason. Sean Harlow, Chasen Hines, Matthew Jones, and Andrew Meter are all battling for observe squad positions. Bayron Matos, the Dominican-born basketball participant seeking to convert to the NFL as a lineman, is an Worldwide Pathway Program participant and will make the observe squad in an exempted spot.
Defensive position (5)
Calais CampbellZach SielerDa’Shawn HandTeair TartBenito Jones
Adjustments: Moved Emmanuel Ogbah to the linebackers group.
Neville Gallimore and Brandon Pili are nonetheless off the roster, however might make a case to discover a spot. Jonathan Harris, Daviyon Nixon and Isaiah Mack stay on the flawed aspect of the roster bubble – although Mack no less than flashed throughout Friday’s recreation. Rookies Leonard Payne and Mario Kendricks must show themselves.
Linebackers (9)
Jaelan PhillipsDavid Lengthy, Jr.Anthony Walker, Jr.Emmanuel Ogbah – Moved from DLChop Robinson (R)Jordyn BrooksMohamed Kamara (R)Duke RileyQuinton Bell – Added
Adjustments: Eliminated Grayson Murphy (R); Added Quinton Bell; Bradley Chubb is more likely to begin the yr on the bodily unable to carry out listing
The linebacker place pays for the roster addition of Wilson on the operating again place. Cameron Goode is on the bodily unable to carry out listing, making his path to a roster spot a troublesome one. Robinson, Miami’s first-round decide this yr, sat out the sport on Friday, with head coach Mike McDaniel explaining, “It was a scenario the place he most likely might have gone. On the similar time for a man to get his first NFL outing beneath – he was battling via some stuff, it was a coach’s choice that was minor harm associated, however he ought to be again quickly.”
Brooks, Kamara, and Riley stay depth choices. Undrafted free agent Murphy is true on the roster bubble. Cam Brown looks like a roster bubble participant as properly.
Channing Tindall and Zeke Vandenburgh must have sturdy performances in every of the remaining preseason video games to make it to the roster bubble; they might be observe squad choices. Curtis Bolton looks like a camp physique.
Cornerbacks (5)
Jalen RamseyKendall FullerKader KohouSiran NealEthan Bonner – Added
Adjustments: Ethan Bonner added; Eliminated Cam Smith
Ramsey, Fuller, and Kohou ought to be roster locks at cornerback whereas Neal, who flashed on protection through the recreation, is a particular groups ace and makes the roster in that position. Bonner has been having a powerful camp and continued that into the preseason recreation, transferring forward of Cam Smith within the projection. It’s powerful to suppose Miami is keen to surrender on 2023 second-round decide Smith this shortly, however he appears to be on the flawed aspect of the numbers recreation proper now. Storm Duck (R) might struggle for an extra roster spot. Isaiah Johnson and Jason Maitre (R) must flash quickly.
Safeties (5)
Jevon HollandJordan PoyerMarcus MayeElijah CampbellNik Needham
No modifications.
Holland, Poyer, and Maye are roster locks. Campbell might be a lock as properly. Needham must maintain off rookies Patrick McMorris, Jordan Colbert, and Mark Perry (in addition to cornerback Cam Smith), however his versatility as a security and cornerback provides him the sting.
Particular Groups (3)
Okay: Jason SandersP: Jake BaileyLS: Blake Ferguson
No modifications.
