Kelly: The way too early projection of the Miami Dolphins’ 53-man roster | Opinion
This is super early look at what the 2024 Miami Dolphins roster might resemble.
Keep in mind nobody has put on a helmet yet, and not one snap of training camp practice has occurred.
The Dolphins haven’t lined up against any of the three opponents — Atlanta, Washington and Tampa Bay — they will face in joint practices, and the exhibition season.
And we don’t know who will get injured during training camp, and there will be someone of note (last year it was cornerback Jalen Ramsey, whose knee injury put the team in a state of panic).
Nonetheless, that doesn’t stop us from doing this way-too-early projection of what Miami’s 53-man roster might look like when the team is required to trim the roster to 53-players and assemble a practice squad at the end of August.
Keep in mind there are more than 53 players named in this projection because we anticipate two to four Dolphins players will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, which will allow the team to carry them into the season without those players counting against the 53-man roster.
QUARTERBACKS (2)
▪ On: Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White.
▪ Off: Skylar Thompson, Gavin Hardison (R).
Analysis: Tagovailoa is engaged in a complicated negotiation for a long-term deal, and it’s possible he could limit — or sit out entirely — portions of training camp until a a five- or six-year deal gets done that compensates him as if he’s a top-10 quarterback. Going that route could stress White and Thompson’s arm, but provide the Dolphins a thorough examination of both backups. The new changes to the practice squad elevation rule means Miami no longer has to carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, which means Thompson must shine to keep his 53-man status.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
▪ On: Raheem Mostert, Devon Achane, Jaylen Wright (R), Jeff Wilson Jr.
▪ Off: Chris Brooks, Salvon Ahmed (injured).
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins begin camp with Ahmed, who is recovering from a Lisfranc (foot) injury he sustained in November, on the the NFI list, which allows him to get stashed till October. Wright’s standing as a fourth-round draft pick will likely keep him safe, which means the final spot on the 53-man roster comes down to Wilson or Brooks if every back remains healthy through the exhibition season, which is unlikely because of the physicality that comes with playing that position.
RECEIVERS (6)
▪ On: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, Malik Washington (R)
▪ Off: Tahj Washington (R), Erik Ezukanma, Braylon Sanders, Anthony Schwartz, Matthew Sexton, Je’Quan Burton (R)
▪ Analysis: Hill, Waddle and Beckham are the locks, and Berrios should be safe as Miami’s slot receiver and return specialist unless Malik Washington, or Tahj Washington, the two rookie receivers drafted in the late rounds, unseat him. Cracraft’s versatility and reliability has kept him safe for two seasons, and might give him the edge over Ezukanma and the rest of the receivers, unless they excel in training camp and the exhibition season. Expect one of the draftees to make it onto the 53-man roster, and for Miami to potentially stash the other on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS (4)
▪ On: Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill, and fullback Alec Ingold.
▪ Off: Jody Fortson, Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci (R).
▪ Analysis: One of the biggest camp battles will be at tight end, where not only are Smith and Smythe competing for the lead role, but Hill has serious contenders in Fortson, Conner and Rucci, who impressed during the offseason program. Julian Hill, who made it onto Miami’s 53-man roster last season as an undrafted rookie from Campbell University, gets the edge because he’s the strongest player in that room and has special teams value. But Fortson shouldn’t be slept on because of his playing making potential as a pass catcher.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)
▪ On: OT Terron Armstead, OT Austin Jackson, C Aaron Brewer, OG Isaiah Wynn, OG/C Liam Eichenberg, OG Robert Jones, OT Kendall Lamm, OT Patrick Paul (R), OT/OG Jack Driscoll.
▪ Off: OG Lester Cotton, OT Kion Smith, OT Ryan Hayes, OG/C Chasen Hines, OT Bayron Matos, C Andrew Meyer, OG Matthew Jones (R)
▪ 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. Jones, Cotton, Smith and Hines are likely competing for that final spot, but don’t be surprised if Miami looks to upgrade this unit by combing through the waiver wire, or by making a trade for a veteran who possibly got dislodged by a youngster on another team’s roster. Matos will have an international player exemption, so he will be sticking around, likely on the practice squad, if he’s decent.
EDGE PLAYERS (5)
▪ On: Jaelan Phillips (injured), Bradley Chubb (injured), Chop Robinson (R), Mohamed Kamara (R), Cameron Goode (injured).
▪ Off: Quinton Bell, Leonard Payne Jr. (R), Grayson Murphy (R)
Analysis: The Dolphins would benefit from beginning training camp with Phillips (Achilles), Chubb (ACL) and Goode (patella tendon) on the PUP because it would allow the team to bring them back slowly, and provides some roster space until they are healthy enough to be placed on the 53-man roster. If a player doesn’t begin training camp on the PUP they can’t be added to it later. Phillips, Chubb and Goode beginning the season on the PUP creates three extra roster spots, and Miami can easily remove them off at any point before the 53-man roster is assembled. Robinson and Kamara will need to hold the edge position down for the first month or two unless one of the three injured edge players makes a miraculous recovery. The Dolphins are shopping for veteran edge players to help address Shaquil Barrett’s retirement.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (7)
▪ On: Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand, Jonathan Harris, Benito Jones, Neville Gallimore.
▪ Off: Isaiah Mack, Daviyon Nixon, Brandon Pili.
▪ Analysis: Tart and Jones will likely handle the nose tackle spot unless Pili beats one of those veterans out. Sieler and Campbell are projected as Miami’s starting defensive tackles while Hand, Harris and Gallimore compete to serve as Miami’s five technique defensive ends in this 3-4 scheme. The one thing the Dolphins can’t afford is to suffer a serious injury at this position because seven of the 10 defensive linemen are relatively unproven, and Campbell is 37, which means he probably can’t handle a ridiculous amount of snaps in the season.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
▪ On: Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Anthony Walker Jr., Duke Riley.
▪ Off: Channing Tindall, Cam Brown, Zeke Vandenburgh.
▪ Analysis: Brooks, Long and Walker all have starting experience, and should be able to anchor the interior of Miami’s defense. Riley should safely make it onto the 53-man roster because of his special teams experience, but he will need to prove he’s a playmaker on defense during the exhibition season. Tindall, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, has struggled to find his footing on defense because of his inability to diagnose plays. If Tindall doesn’t excel on special teams during the exhibition season his days in South Florida could be numbered.
CORNERBACKS (6)
▪ On: Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Nik Needham, Cam Smith, Siran Neal.
▪ Off: Ethan Bonner, Storm Duck (R), Isaiah Johnson (R), Jason Maitre (R).
▪ Analysis: Expect Fuller, an eight-year veteran starter, to be the boundary opposite Ramsey, who will likely shadow the opposition’s best receiver this upcoming season. Kohou and Needham will probably compete to determine who is Miami’s starting nickel cornerback, and the hope is that Smith, a 2023 second-round pick, matures enough to be counted on by Miami’s new defensive coaches. Neal is expected to be a major contributor on special teams. This unit is one of Miami’s thinnest so the hope is someone — maybe Bonner — steps up and proves they belong in the 53-man roster. This unit also can’t afford an injury because of how thin it is. from an experience standpoint.
SAFETIES (4)
▪ On: Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell.
▪ Off: Mark Perry (R), Jordan Colbert (R).
▪ Analysis: Poyer’s wisdom and maturity could help Holland take the next step as an NFL veteran, becoming the versatile, playmaking safety he has the talent to be. And Maye has the versatility to play both safety spots and serve as the dime defender. Campbell’s a special teams standout who has shown some potential as a spot starter. Perry and Colbert are realistically battling for a practice squad spot unless they excel as rookies, which Needham and Kohou did.
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. By re-signing Braxton Berrios the Dolphins retained last year’s kickoff and punt returner, but it’s possible the new changes to special teams could create some challengers for the kickoff role.
This story was originally published July 12, 2024 at 4:41 PM.
