Dolphins’ 53-man roster projection: Who’s moving up after Miami’s second preseason game?
In a week, the Dolphins will trim their roster from 90 players and finalize their initial 53-man roster. And while Miami’s preseason win over the Houston Texans was headlined by the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, several players made compelling cases for spots — and roles — in 2023.
However, there is still one final preseason game on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which will be pivotal for several players on the bubble.
After the second preseason game, here’s the Miami Herald’s projection of what the Dolphins’ 53-man roster will look like.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3): Tua Tagovailoa, Skylar Thompson, Mike White.
▪ Longshot: James Blackman.
▪ Skinny: Though Thompson was omitted in the previous roster projection, it wasn’t because of his play so much as it was the roster spots that have to be allocated for injured players who will start the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list or injured reserve. It has always been likely that the Dolphins will keep three quarterbacks, especially with the NFL’s new game-day rules that allow a third quarterback to be available. And Thompson’s standout performance against the Texans only solidified his standing on the team.
Running backs (4): Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., De’Von Achane, Salvon Ahmed.
▪ On the bubble: Myles Gaskin, Chris Brooks.
▪ Skinny: Gaskin looked good in the preseason opener but he’s since been sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Ahmed was even better against the Texans and Brooks continued his strong summer with a touchdown catch in the second preseason game.
Wide receiver (6): Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Robbie Chosen, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma.
▪ On the bubble: River Cracraft
▪ Longshot: Braylon Sanders, Keke Coutee, Daewood Davis
▪ Skinny: No changes from the previous projection but Berrios appears to be separating himself in the competition for the No. 3 wide receiver spot after catching three passes for 33 yards and a touchdown against the Texans.
Tight end/fullback (4): Durham Smythe, Alec Ingold, Elijah Higgins, Tanner Conner (reserve/PUP).
▪ On the bubble: Eric Saubert, Tyler Kroft, Julian Hill.
▪ Skinny: The previous projection had both Saubert and Kroft being waived with the caveat that either could be re-signed after the cutdown deadline. That still holds true but Ingold’s lingering injury could force the Dolphins could keep one as insurance.
Offensive tackle (3): Terron Armstead, Austin Jackson, Kendall Lamm.
▪ On the bubble: Ryan Hayes, Cedric Ogbuehi.
▪ Longshot: Kion Smith, Geron Christian, James Tunstall.
▪ Skinny: Armstead’s injury scare in Houston could cause Miami to ponder keeping an additional tackle, But McDaniel said the Dolphins avoided a long-term injury, and Isaiah Wynn and Robert Hunt’s versatility give the Dolphins additional options. Lamm played well at left tackle with the first-team offense against the Texans.
Interior offensive line (6): Connor Williams, Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg, Isaiah Wynn, Dan Feeney, Robert Jones (IR).
▪ On the bubble: Lester Cotton.
▪ Longshot: Alama Uluave.
▪ Skinny: Jones sustained an MCL sprain in Houston that will sideline him for four to six weeks, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told WSVN. It’s a tough blow for Jones, who was in the mix for the starting left guard spot. The timeline could cause the Dolphins to place him on IR to start the season and bring back a player such as Cotton for depth in the short term.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (4): Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler, Raekwon Davis, Emmanuel Ogbah
▪ On the bubble: Brandon Pili, Josiah Bronson, Jaylen Twyman, Randy Charlton.
▪ Skinny: Wilkins is in the midst of hold-in and there’s no indication of how long it will extend. Hand, whom the team signed two weeks ago, is probably the top candidate if the Dolphins want to keep an additional lineman.
Outside linebacker (3): Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Andrew Van Ginkel.
▪ On the bubble: Malik Reed, Mitchell Agude, Garrett Nelson, Cameron Goode.
▪ Skinny: In order to make room for Thompson, Reed gets pushed out in this latest projection. He has a history with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio but Ogbah, who has been lining as an outside linebacker in the preseason, gives the group more depth.
Inside linebacker (4): Jerome Baker, David Long Jr., Duke Riley, Channing Tindall.
▪ On the bubble: Aubrey Miller II.
▪ Longshot: Mike Rose.
▪ Skinny: No change from the previous projection.
Cornerback (8): Jalen Ramsey (IR), Xavien Howard, Kader Kohou, Noah Igbinoghene, Cam Smith, Eli Apple, Nik Needham (PUP), Keion Crossen (IR)
▪ On the bubble: Justin Bethel, Jamal Perry.
▪ Longshot: Parry Nickerson, Ethan Bonner.
▪ Skinny: Injuries continue to make this group hard to project. Smith is the latest cornerback to be limited by an injury. He didn’t play against the Texans because of a shoulder injury. Ramsey will start the season on IR and Crossen, who has missed all but one practice, seems like he could be headed for the designation, too. Needham also seems likely to begin the regular season on PUP.
Safety (5): Jevon Holland, Brandon Jones, DeShon Elliott, Elijah Campbell, Verone McKinley III.
▪ On the bubble: Bryce Thompson, Trill Williams, Keidron Smith.
▪ Longshot: Myles Dorn.
▪ Skinny: The Dolphins are in a bit of a tough spot with Jones, who hasn’t participated much in team drills since his return from his ACL injury and has been sidelined for the last week. Thompson and Smith have played well this summer and could sneak into a final spot.
Specialists (3): Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Blake Ferguson.
▪ Skinny: The Dolphins’ special teams trio is set.
This story was originally published August 21, 2023 at 8:45 AM.
