2016 Dolphins depth chart: Breaking down Miami's roster V - Wide receivers

The Phinsider breakdown of the Miami Dolphins' 2016 roster continues into part four, with just shy of one-third of the roster already filled. The first 16 positions on the 53-man roster features two quarterbacks, four running backs, six defensive ends, and four defensive tackles. There are three players on the bubble, as well as three players on the practice squad now. Today, the wide receivers are added to the roster.

The Dolphins currently have 90 players on their roster, right at the limit for the offseason and preseason. When the regular season starts in September, the team will have to be down to the league's 53-man roster, along with 10 players on the practice squad. The breakdown series takes a look each day at one position on the roster, and projects what the depth chart would look like for that group, including starters, reserves, bubble players, and practice squad players.

Wide receivers take the stage in part five:

Starters

Jarvis Landry - 3rd year
DeVante Parker - 2nd year
Kenny Stills - 4th year

The Dolphins went into the Draft with the top three positions on the depth chart fairly well set, and came out of it with a little ambiguity when it comes to Stills' spot. Could a rookie usurp the position from him? At this point, it is a possibility but not a projected outcome. Landry, who set the team record last year for receptions in a single season, will see plenty of targets during the season, and a lot will be expected from Parker, who struggled through his rookie year after missing all of training cap and the preseason following surgery on his foot.

Reserves

Leonte Carroo - Rookie (3rd round)
Jakeem Grant - Rookie (6th round)

Miami will likely keep their two rookie wide receivers, with Carroo having the greatest chance to push Stills down the depth chart. Both players should see playing time, likely with Grant primarily working as a returner, while making some slot or backfield appearances in four-wide receiver sets. The Dolphins could be looking to keep six receivers on the roster, especially if Grant is seen solely as a returner, but that will come down to the bubble watch players.

Bubble Watch

Matt Hazel - 3rd year
Griff Whalen - 4th year

Hazel appeared to be in position to claim the fourth position on the depth chart following Rishard Matthew's departure in free agency this year, but the drafting of Carroo seems to have Hazel now sitting firmly on the roster bubble. The Dolphins added Whalen this year, likely as competition for Hazel and as a returner option for the club. He is still in a position to claim a roster spot, but the rookies seem to have him competing with Hazel, not for the fourth spot, but rather a sixth position.

Practice Squad

Tyler Murphy - 2nd year
Rashawn Scott - Rookie (UDFA)

The practice squad will be an interesting place for Miami when it comes to wide receivers. The team has four players who appear to to be on the wrong side of the cut line at this point. Whichever of the four is able to stand out, and probably shows some knack for special teams play, will be able to claim a practice squad spot. The Dolphins can use two practice squad spots for receivers, as this projection does. Murphy has recorded one NFL reception with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but is still converting from a college quarterback to the receiver position. Scott is a project, coming to the team with injury concerns and "maturity issues." He has the speed and the route running to be a solid receiver, but he has to fix his actual pass catching and has to stay healthy. Miami could keep him around for a season to see if any of it can be developed.

The Rest

A.J. Cruz - 1st year
Brandon Shippen - Rookie (UDFA)

53-man roster prediction (21/53)

Quarterbacks (2)

Ryan Tannehill
Matt Moore

Running back (4)

Jay Ajayi
Kenyan Drake
Damien Williams
Daniel Thomas

Wide Receiver (5)

Jarvis Landry
DeVante Parker
Kenny Stills
Leonte Carroo
Jakeem Grant

Defensive ends (6)

Cameron Wake
Mario Williams
Andre Branch
Terrence Fede
Chris McCain
Jason Jones (Updated after article)

Defensive tackles (4)

Ndamukong Suh
Earl Mitchell
Jordan Phillips
Chris Jones

Bubble Watch

Cleyon Laing - defensive end
Isaiah Pead - running back
Deandre Coleman - defensive tackle
Matt Hazel - wide receiver
Griff Whalen - wide receiver

Practice squad (5/10)

Brandon Doughty (rookie) - quarterback
Farrington Huguenin (rookie)- defensive end
Charles Tuaau - defensive tackle
Tyler Murphy - wide receiver
Rashawn Scott (rookie) - wide receiver