2016 Dolphins roster cuts: Predicting the linebacker position

The Miami Dolphins are getting closer and closer to the NFL’s roster limit change scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The change move the rostser size from the 75-man limit they are currently using to the 53-man limit they will use throughout the regular season. Who will make the roster, and who will have to be cut? We continue building the roster with the linebacker position.

Safely on the roster: Kiko Alonso, Jelani Jenkins, Koa Misi, Spencer Paysinger

On the bubble: James Burgess, Tyler Gray, Neville Hewitt, Mike Hull, James-Michael Johnson

The Dolphins have three starters and a reserve fairly well locked onto the roster at his point when it comes to the linebacker position. Jelani Jenkins will be the starting weakside linebacker (assuming he is healthy), Kiko Alonso will be in the middle, Koa Misi will have the strongside position, and Spencer Paysinger will be the primary reserve and a special teams player. That takes four of what should be six or seven roster spots. James Burgess and Tyler Gray are likely looking for a practice squad position right now, and it may come down to who the team feels would devlop into a better special teams contributor. That leaves the team looking at Neville Hewitt, Mike Hull, and James-Michael Johnson for the back end of the linebacker group. Due to injury concerns, Miami could max out the linebacker group with seven, but look to use one of them as the player most likely to be dropped if a follow-up roster move is needed (or when Non-Football Injury list activations are needed).

53-man roster prediction: Kiko Alonso, Jelani Jenkins, Koa Misi, Spencer Paysinger, Neville Hewitt, Mike Hull, James-Michael Johnson

Practice squad: James Burgess

Cut: Tyler Gray

Roster total: 40 of 53

Practice squad total: 7 of 10