Kelly: First stab at predicting Dolphins’ 2025 53-man-roster | Opinion
If the 2025 version of the Miami Dolphins plan to qualify for the postseason, history proves this roster needs reinforcements..
There hasn’t been a season where I’ve covered this team — a tenure that began in 2007 — where the Dolphins didn’t need to start a seventh if/not eighth offensive linemen, and at least six cornerbacks graced the field because of injuries, which are common.
Based on what we’ve seen in training camp and the preseason so far, the Dolphins need help on the offensive line (which struggled in the 24-24 tie to the Chicago Bears in the preseason opener), at cornerback, where the entire unit is fairly inexperienced, and can/will add a tailback once teams begin trimming their training camp rosters from 90 players to the 53-man roster required by the NFL’s Aug. 26 4 p.m. deadline.
Here’s a super early prediction on what Miami’s 53-man roster might look like in two weeks.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
▪ On the 53: Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson, Quinn Ewers (R)
▪ Off: Nobody
▪ Analysis: Tagovailoa has led the NFL in passer rating (2022), passing yards (2023) and completion percentage (2024), proving that he has what it takes to be one of the NFL’s premier passers. But his backup is critical because Tagovailoa hasn’t proven he can be durable. Wilson’s experience gives him the edge on the No. 2 role, but Ewers, a 2025 seventh-round pick, has been one of camp’s pleasant surprises, and that should earn the former Texas starter a spot on the 53-man roster.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
▪ On the roster: Devon Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II (R)
▪ Off: Mike Boone, Aaron Shampklin
▪ Analysis: Achane produced 1,499 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on his 207 carries and 78 receptions in 2024. But his yards-per-carry average reduced drastically in the second half of the season. Wright, a 2024 fourth-round pick, gained 249 rushing yards on 68 carries, but slid down the depth chart in the season for unknown reasons. Gordon is a powerful north-south runner whose 2023 rushing totals (1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns) led the entire FBS. Losing Alexander Mattison to a season-ending neck injury sustained in last week’s preseason opener against the Bears will hurt because he was Miami’s second-most productive tailback in camp. Boone and Shampkin, the two newly signed tailbacks, are competing for a role on the practice squad. But don’t be surprised if Miami claims a tailback off waivers because this team needs four on the 53-man roster.
RECEIVERS (6)
▪ On the roster: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Dee Eskridge, Tahj Washington
▪ Off: Theo Wease Jr., Erik Ezukanma, Tarik Black, A.J. Henning
Analysis: Hill and Waddle both had disappointing seasons for their talent level, and paychecks, collectively contributing 1,703 yards and eight touchdowns last year. That’s a far drop from their 2023 totals of 2,813 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on 191 catches. Dee Eskridge, Malik Washington and Tahj Washington have shown playmaking ability, but that brings Miami’s total of receivers who are 5-foot-10 and under to five. Miami needs Westbrook-Ikhine to become a red-zone weapon, but he has gotten off to a slow start in camp. Wease, who has been the most promising of the undrafted rookies in practices, and Ezukanma can be developed on the practice squad.
TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS (5)
▪ On the roster: Darren Waller, Julian Hill, Pharoah Brown, Tanner Conner; fullback Alec Ingold.
▪ Off: Hayden Rucci, Chris Myarick
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins have shelved Waller all training camp because it has been 19 months since the former retiree last played football. But offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who worked with the eighth-year veteran during their time together with the Raiders, has big plays for the athletic tight end, who has scored 20 touchdowns in the 86 games he has played. Hill’s being pushed by Brown for his in-line starting role, and Miami’s coaches can’t ignore what Conner has done as Waller’s replacement in his absence. Rucci and Myarick are practice squad options, and Myarick might have an edge over Rucci because he also plays fullback, a position that’s necessary if the Dolphins intend to turn up the team’s physicality.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8)
▪ On the roster: LT Patrick Paul, OG James Daniels, C Aaron Brewer, OG Jonah Savaiinaea (R), RT Austin Jackson. Backups: OG Liam Eichenberg, OT Larry Borom, and OG Daniel Brunskill.
▪ Off: C Andrew Meyer (headed to IR), OT Germain Ifedi, OT Jalen McKenzie, OT Kion Smith, OG Braeden Daniels, OT Jackson Carman, OT Ryan Hayes, OG Josh Priebe, OT Bayron Matos (headed to IR).
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins possess a more physical starting offensive line courtesy of the power the left side possesses, but this unit has the worst depth on the roster, and that’s problematic. Last year Miami’s offensive line was the source for a massive drop-off from the run game, and allowed 43 sacks. It doesn’t help that Eichenberg and Meyer, two of the team’s top backups, are each nursing injuries that could lead to them starting the season on injured reserve (missing the first four games). Meyer, who is sidelined by an undisclosed injury, likely gets stashed there to start the season.. This is a unit where general manager Chris Grier needs to find some upgrades via free agency or the waiver wire. An experienced left tackle should be at the top of a targeted list. Matos, who sustained a shoulder/neck injury during the Dolphins’ first training camp practice, has an international exemption that keeps him from counting against the 53-man roster if he’s healthy enough to play in 2025.
EDGE RUSHERS (5)
▪ On the roster: Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, Quinton Bell, Derrick McLendon
▪ Off: Cameron Goode, Grayson Murphy and Mohamed Kamara (headed to IR).
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins’ top two pass rushers are both coming back from serious knee injuries. Phillips had an ACL surgically repaired in November and might be ready for training camp in August. Chubb sustained a catastrophic knee injury in December of 2023 and sat out all of last season. They have both played well in training camp, allowing Miami’s edge rushers to be the strength of the team. This is where the toughest decisions reside because McLendon and Murphy have shined in camp as rushers, while Bell and Goode, who haven’t, are valued special teams contributors. I’m picking McLendon over Goode because he’s a superior athlete. The concussion Kamara suffered last week might allow the Dolphins to stash him on injured reserve. My heart would be broken if Murphy isn’t signed to Miami’s practice squad, but Miami can’t keep them all.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6)
▪ On the roster: Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, Kenneth Grant (R), Jordan Phillips (R), Zeek Biggers (R), Matt Dickerson
▪ Off: Matthew Butler, Ben Stille and Alex Huntley
▪ Analysis: The Dolphins held opponents to 3.8 yards per carry and set a franchise record with 56 sacks in 2023. The yards-per-carry average ballooned up to 4.4 yards per attempt, and Miami produced 35 sacks last season. The drastic decline can be attributed to lackluster defensive line play, but that was addressed in the offseason when Miami selected three defensive tackles in the draft. Grant, Phillips and Biggers are all progressing at a respectable rate, and each should be capable of handling 400 snaps a piece for this defense. Dickerson, a six-year veteran who spent most of last season in Miami, has been one of training camp’s most consistent performers, which should help him become one of the final veterans on the 53-man roster. But Dickerson need to continue playing and practicing well to secure that spot.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)
▪ On the roster: Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Willie Gay Jr., K.J. Britt
▪ Off: Channing Tindall, Dequan Jackson and Eugene Asante.
▪ Analysis: Brooks had one of the most productive seasons as an inside linebacker since Karlos Dansby was a Dolphins, and should take another step forward in Anthony Weaver’s defense this season. Dodson has the potential to play better than he did last season, when he contributed 36 tackles and three interceptions in the eight games he played for the Dolphins after being claimed off waivers at the midseason point. Gay, a free agent signee, is a jack-of-all-trades linebacker who has shined in camp. Gay, who has started 55 games in his NFL career, contributing 261 tackles, seven sacks and four interceptions, has likely worked his way into being involved in a special defensive package. The Dolphins have invested three seasons into Tindall’s development without seeing much of a return. The 2023 third-round pick will need to make this team as a special teams contributor, or a practice squad selection.
CORNERBACK (6)
▪ On the roster: Storm Duck, Kendall Sheffield, Ethan Bonner, Mike Hilton, Jack Jones and Jason Marshall (R)
▪ Off: Cam Smith (placed on IR), Cornell Armstrong, Isaiah Johnson, BJ Adams and Ethan Robinson
▪ Analysis: Losing Kader Kohou and Artie Burns to season ending knee injuries led to the signings of Hilton, Jones and Armstrong, and two of those veterans will make it safely onto the 53-man roster as long as this unit doesn’t suffer another setback. Duck and Sheffield have seemingly earned starting roles, with Bonner, Jones and Hilton as the top backups. Marshall’s draft status keeps him safe, unlike Smith, who has been a disappointing 2023 second-round pick. Don’t be surprised if Miami stashes Smith on injury reserve instead of releasing the cornerback, who has battled soft tissue injuries the past two seasons.
SAFETY (4)
▪ On the roster: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris
▪ Off: Dante Trader Jr. (R placed on IR), Ashtyn Davis (placed on IR), Jordan Colbert, John Saunders Jr
▪ Analysis: Fitzpatrick and Melifonwu are viewed as this unit’s starters because the foot injury Davis sustained in camp’s first week will likely get him placed on injured reserve to begin the season. It’s also possible that Trader, a 2025 fifth-round pick, might start the season there too because of the soft tissue injury that’s sidelined him for the past two weeks. Campbell’s one of Miami’s top special teams contributors, so he will safely make it onto Miami’s 53-man roster again. McMorris, Colbert and Saunders have each had moments in training camp. Expect the top special teams contributor to get that final spot with the other two viewed as options for the practice squad
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
▪ On the roster: K Jason Sanders, P Ryan Stonehouse, LS Joe Cardona
▪ Off: P Jake Bailey
▪ Analysis: Stonehouse and Bailey had one of the few legitimate training camp battles in Miami, and the decision comes down to finances because Stonehouse makes $725,000 less than Bailey before a $400,000 per game bonus is factored in. Of course Bailey could adjust his contract to remain in Miami.
This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
