The Miami Dolphins will be looking to prove they can take that next step forward after a brutal end to last season. After being handed a massive four-year, $212.4 million extension, it's time for Tua Tagovailoa to deliver. This year's roster looks strong, with many of the strongest units from last season remaining the same.
A few key veteran losses have occurred, but many have been replaced in the free agency pool. The Dolphins will hope that their explosive offense from early last season can continue all the way through this time and that their performances in the bigger games can improve. Most of the roster seems open and shut, but there are a few positions, such as wide receiver and defensive line, where there will be some competition for the final places. Here's who I think will make the final roster.
Miami Dolphins Offense
Quarterbacks (2) - Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White
Outside Looking In - Skylar Thompson
Regarding the starting position, there's no contest; it will be Tua. Where things get interesting is the fight for the backup. Mike White and Skylar Thompson have both had their share of reps this preseason and looked serviceable, but I think White's experience may give him a slight edge. A new rule change allows teams to call up an emergency QB from the practice squad whenever they please, so should there be an injury, Thompson can still be called upon.
Given Tua's less-than-perfect injury history, it wouldn't be surprising to see White or Thompson start at least a game or two this season, but the rule change makes having three quarterbacks on the main roster unnecessary.
Running Backs (4) - Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Outside Looking in - Zander Horvath, Anthony McFarland Jr., Chris Brooks
The running game was a massive part of the Dolphins' home-run-hitting offense last season. Mostert led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns, and Achane posted an absurd 7.8 yards per carry, albeit on only 103 carries. Look for Achane to receive considerable carries this year, with Mostert aging and Achane fully accustomed to the offense. Mostert, Achane, and 4th-round draft pick Jaylen Wright are locked to make the squad. Wilson is likely to, and Brooks could be a coin flip. The Dolphins may take five backs, taking both Wilson and Brooks, instead of having them fight for the last spot. Horvath and McFarland Jr. were only just signed and are unlikely to make the final roster.
Wide Receivers (6)- Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Odell Beckham, Jr., River Cracraft, Malik Washington
Outside Looking in - Erik Ezukanma, Anthony Schwartz, Braylon Sanders, Je'Quan Burton, Mike Harley Jr.
There should be little competition here apart from the last spot. Hill was arguably the league's best receiver last season and will look to continue his production. At some points in the season, he was on pace to break the single-season receiving yards record, but injuries slowed him down. Waddle is coming off a season where he battled some niggling injuries but is the clear #2. Berrios will likely continue as the return man. The question with this group is if Odell Beckham Jr. will be ready to start the season; he is currently on the PUP list, which would rule him out for the first four weeks at least and would open up an extra spot. The final spot will be between Washington and Ezukanma, but I've given it to the sixth-round draft pick from Virginia.
Tight Ends/Fullbacks (4) - Alec Ingold, Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill,
Outside Looking In - Tanner Conner, Jody Fortson Jr.
Ingold will be the lone fullback, being one of the best blockers in a dying position for years. Smythe and new offseason acquisition Jonnu Smith headline the tight ends in what will be a solid but unspectacular part of the Dolphins' offense. Smith, primarily, will provide a spark with his added athleticism. He will be the lead receiving tight end after sharing duties with Kyle Pitts in Atlanta. Expect all of them to assist in the blocking game as well. Tanner Conner has been battling an injury and misses out.
Offensive Line (9)- Terron Armstead, Liam Echenburg, Austin Jackson, Robert Jones, Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer, Kendall Lamm, Jack Driscoll, Lester Cotton
Outside Looking In - Isaiah Wynn, Bayron Matos
An inconsistent group, the Dolphins' offensive line has been through some injuries and changes. They will hope that the left tackle and leader of the offensive line, Terron Armstead, can stay healthy. At right tackle, Austin Jackson is tasked with protecting Tua's blindside and will be the starter again. For the interior linemen, look for Jack Driscoll to push Liam Echenburg as a starter for one of the guard spots. Wynn looks like he'll start the season on the PUP list, which means Lester Cotton will likely be cut.
Miami Dolphins Special Teams
Specialist (3) - Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Blake Ferguson
There are no surprises here; the Dolphins will continue with the same specialists from last season. Sanders hit 24-28 field goals, including an impressive 5-7 from 50+ yards. He was also perfect from under 40 yards. Punter Jake Bailey was used sparingly, ranking 26th in total punts, because the Dolphins' offense usually makes it to at least field goal range. Nevertheless, he'll be the starter again, with Ferguson as the long snapper.
Miami Dolphins Defense
Interior Defensive Line (6) - Calais Campbell, Benito Jones, Da'Shawn Hand, Zach Sieler, Brandon Pili, Jonathan Harris
Outside Looking in - Neville Gallimore, Isaiah Mack, Robert Cooper
The significant loss to this group is DT Christian Wilkins. Wilkins is coming off a monster season in which he recorded nine sacks and was a menace for offensive lines to deal with. The Dolphins were tight on the salary cap and elected not to franchise tag him, allowing him to move on to the Raiders. The Dolphins allowed the 7th fewest rushing yards per game last season, but the loss of Wilkins is likely to hurt that ranking. Gallimore and Mack will fight with Hand, Harris, and Pili; the Dolphins could also elect to take only five interior linemen. Pili is more of a traditional nose tackle than the others, which gives him a slight edge. This is one of the better battles on the Dolphins' roster.
EDGE (5) - Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, Emmanuel Ogbah, Mohamed Kamara, Quinton Bell
Outside Looking in - Wyatt Ray
PUP/IR - Bradley Chubb
The Dolphins maintained a pretty intense pass rush last season, hampered by an injury to Jaelan Phillips, who looked to be on his way to a career season. Even still, the Dolphins ranked third in total sacks last season with 56, albeit this includes the entire team and not just the edge rushers. Bradley Chubb will start the season on the PUP list after tearing his ACL in Week 17, and Andrew Van Ginkel has moved on to Minnesota. The Dolphins used their first-round pick on the low-production but high-potential edge rusher from Penn State, Chop Robinson, who will look to further aid the pass rush. With a nickname like "Chop," the kid's gotta be good, right?
Linebackers (4)- Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Channing Tindall, Duke Riley
Outside Looking in - Anthony Walker Jr, Curtis Bolton
It'll be a tight call between Walker, Tindall, and Riley; expect two in and one out. I've chosen to omit Walker because he has reportedly not practiced in weeks for unknown reasons. The addition of Jordyn Brooks will boost this group. Brooks and Long both had over 100 total tackles last season. Duke Riley is a fan favorite and will also be valuable on special teams. Tindall hasn't played much, but his youth and freakish athleticism provide a new dimension.
Cornerback (6) - Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Siran Neal, Ethan Bonner
Outside Looking in - Nik Needham
The clear star in this group is Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey will look to bounce back after missing the first half of last season with a torn meniscus. Veteran Xavien Howard was cut, so Kendall Fuller will fill the void as the #2 corner after joining from Washington. Ramsey and Fuller, as a tandem, are fantastic, but the depth is more of a concern. Cam Smith should see significantly more reps after barely playing last season. Nik Needham could see himself on the roster, as he also spent some time at safety, but I've gone with Bonner for the last spot. Bonner has had an excellent training camp, and his teammates have gone on about his speed and improvement from last season.
Safeties (4)- Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Elijah Campbell, Marcus Maye
Outside looking in - Patrick McMorris
Holland and Poyer will be the undisputed starters to top off what looks like one of the best-starting secondaries in the NFL. Holland has been dealing with a slight injury throughout training camp, but Mike McDaniel said it is minor and he'll be ready for the season. Poyer looks to continue his career after coming over from AFC East rivals Buffalo at 33. Poyer has said that he's grateful to be able to continue playing in Miami and will start alongside Holland. Marcus Maye was signed in June and will provide some much-needed depth. The team has spoken highly of rookie Patrick McMorris, and he has a real shot of making it depending on other positions, but I've only just left him out.
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