Kelly: A projection of the Miami Dolphins’ 53-man roster | Opinion
Is Nik Needham’s versatility more valued than Siran Neal’s special teams contributions?
Is Channing Tindall worth another year’s investment into the athletic inside linebacker with limited instincts?
Does Lester Cotton have what it takes to patch up the interior of Miami’s offensive line if injuries ravaget the unit like it did last year, and the five others that preceded it?
These are likely the questions the Miami Dolphins executives, coaches and scouts will be asking one another this weekend as they decide how to assemble the 53-man roster by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
Here’s a look at how Omar Kelly would build the 2024 Dolphins. And keep in mind players on the PUP or IR don’t count against the final version of the 53-man roster.
QUARTERBACKS (2)
▪ On: Tua Tagovailoa, Skylar Thompson.
▪ Off: Mike White.
▪ Analysis: Tagovailoa, who this offseason signed a five-year deal makes him one of the five highest-paid players in the NFL, has taken the next step as a leader in Miami, and seems to be blossoming. White and Thompson had a heated camp battle, and Thompson’s performance all camp and preseason allowed him to beat out the fifth-year veteran, who was released on Sunday. White could potentially re-sign to the practice squad. I’d also explore finding an upgrade from the talent that gets waived throughout the league because neither backup QB excelled.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
▪ On: Raheem Mostert, Devon Achane, Jaylen Wright (R), Chris Brooks.
▪ Off: Jeff Wilson Jr., Zander Horvath, Anthony McFarland Jr.
▪ Analysis: One of the final spots on the 53-man roster comes down to Wilson or Brooks, and Brooks gets the edge because he’s younger cheaper, and fills more roles on special teams than Wilson, whom I’d try to sign to Miami’s practice squad.
RECEIVERS (5)
▪ On: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr. (PUP), Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft (IR), Erik Ezukanma (injured), Malik Washington (R).
▪ Off: Braylon Sanders (injured), Anthony Schwartz (injured), Jadon Janke, Je’Quan Burton (R), Kyric McGowan, Mike Harley Jr.
▪ Analysis: The vision was for Hill, Waddle and Beckham to be Miami’s trio of receivers, but Beckham hasn’t participated in a single practice because of a pre-existing injury he’s rehabbing. He will likely begin the 2024 season on the physically unable to perform list, which opens the door for Ezukanma to hold a prominent role. Cracraft will likely begin the year on injured reserve because of an injury he suffered last week against the Commanders. Washington struggled most of camp, but shined in the preseason finale against Tampa Bay.
TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS (4)
▪ On: Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill, and fullback Alec Ingold.
▪ Off: Jody Fortson Jr., Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci (R).
▪ Analysis: Smith, Smythe, Hill and Ingold are a solid foursome for this group. This camp battle was a letdown because of the injuries Fortson and Conner sustained in the first preseason game and fell short of expectations. Fortson was released on Sunday. Conner and Rucci should be considered for the practice squad.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)
▪ On: OT Terron Armstead, OT Austin Jackson, C Aaron Brewer, OG Isaiah Wynn (PUP), OG/C Liam Eichenberg, OG Robert Jones, OT Kendall Lamm, OT Patrick Paul (R), OT/OG Jack Driscoll, OG Lester Cotton.
▪ Off: OT Ryan Hayes, OG/C Chasen Hines, OT Bayron Matos (R), C Andrew Meyer (R), OG Matthew Jones.
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins were forced to use 12 different starting combinations of offensive linemen because of injuries to all the opening day starters at different moments last season. The line finished the season with three backups in all of the starting interior spots. That’s why Miami will likely keep nine or 10 offensive linemen on the 53-man roster. Wynn begins the year on the PUP because of his leg injury, and the hope is that he’ll be healthy by midseason. Matos gets added to the practice squad automatically because he’s Miami’s International Exemption player, but he’s not good, and that was on display against the Buccaneers.
EDGE PLAYERS (5)
▪ On: Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb (PUP), Emmanuel Ogbah, Chop Robinson (R), Quinton Bell, Mohamed Kamara (R), Cameron Goode (PUP).
▪ Off: David Anenih, Wyatt Ray.
▪ Analysis: Phillips, who is nine months into rehabbing an Achilles injury, is healthy enough to start the season on the active roster, unlike Chubb (ACL) and Goode (patella tendon), who will begin the season on the PUP. Ogbah, Bell and Robinson will serve as a four-man rotation until Chubb returns to full strength, and Kamara’s draft status gifts him the final spot.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
▪ On: Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Da’Shawn Hand, Benito Jones (injured), Jonathan Harris, Neville Gallimore.
▪ Off: Isaiah Mack, Brandon Pili, Robert Cooper, Leonard Payne Jr.
▪ Analysis: This unit happens to be one of Miami’s thinnest positIons, which means don’t be surprised if there’s a post-cut signing, or a waiver wire claim made. Jones injury, which hasn’t been disclosed, could lead to Pili making the 53-man roster. However, Miami might be tempted to place him on the practice squad, either now or later. Mack had a solid camp and is worthy of being on Miami’s practice squad.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)
▪ On: Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr. (injured), Anthony Walker Jr. (injured), Duke Riley, Channing Tindall.
▪ Off: Curtis Bolton, Dequan Jackson.
▪ Analysis: Brooks, Long and Walker all have starting experience, and should be able to anchor the interior of Miami’s defense. Problem is, all three of them are nursing injuries that could carry on into the season. That’s why Tindall, who has a strong preseason showing, makes it onto the 53-man roster for the third straight season. Riley and Tindall need carry the special teams coverage units.
CORNERBACKS (6)
▪ On: Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Ethan Bonner, Cam Smith, Siran Neal.
▪ Off: Storm Duck (R), Isaiah Johnson (R), Jason Maitre (R).
▪ Analysis: Ramsey, Fuller and Kohou are Miami’s staring cornerbacks. Bonner and Smith are the top backups while Neal makes it onto Miami’s 53-man roster because of his special teams contributions as a gunner. All three rookie cornerbacks have showcased ability, and one (my guess would be Duck) might sneak onto the 53-man roster. However, all three would be benefit from a season of development on Miami’s practice squad.
SAFETIES (4)
▪ On: Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell.
▪ Off: Nik Needham, Patrick McMorris (R - injured), Mark Perry (R), Jordan Colbert (R).
▪ Analysis: Poyer and Holland are viewed as Miami’s starters, but both have struggled with injuries this camp. That’s why keeping Maye, who has started 77 NFL games, would be ideal, despite his early camp struggles. Campbell makes it onto the 53-man roster for a third straight season because of his special teams contributions. Cutting Needham wasn’t easy because of his history with the team, and versatility he brings as a player. But he’s still present a young man’s game.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
▪ On: K Jason Sanders, LS Blake Ferguson, P Jake Bailey.
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins didn’t get any of the team’s specialists competition this camp, but those players realize they are competing with whoever gets released in today’s NFL. All three have been solid this camp.
This story was originally published August 23, 2024 at 7:31 PM.
