Roster cut predictions: Miami Dolphins cornerbacks

The roster cut deadline for the NFL is getting closer, as we continue to wait for the Miami Dolphins to make their moves, reducing the roster to the 53-man regular-season limit. That deadline will come at 4pm ET today, with the Dolphins needing to make some tough choices before that time. We have been working our way through the Dolphins’ roster, position by position, to try to predict how the 53-man roster may look when the 4pm deadline arrives. We continue now, turning to the cornerbacks.

Safely on the roster: Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett, Bobby McCain

On the bubble: Chimdi Chekwa, Jordan Lucas, Rashaan Melvin, Lafayette Pitts

Physically Unable to Perform: Chris Culliver

Miami seems loaded on developmental cornerbacks and players best suited for the nickel cornerback position. The problem is they do not have many boundary cornerbacks who are ready to play right now. Byron Maxwell will start on one side, and the team will likely look to rookie Xavien Howard, who made his debut in the Preseason Week 4 contest after dealing with a knee injury all summer, to start on the other side. Tony Lippett has been playing the outside with Howard’s delay, and Bobby McCain should be the nickel cornerback - assuming the team does not use safety Michael Thomas in that role - as well as a backup outside corner. That makes four of the likely six roster spots filled with four players fighting for those spots. Chimdi Checkwa probably grabs one of those, but he may be a place-holder until Chris Culliver comes off the PUP list. Jordan Lucas has grown during the summer, but may need more time before he is ready for any significant role.

53-man roster prediction: Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett, Bobby McCain, Chimdi Chekwa

Practice squad: Jordan Lucas, Lafayette Pitts

Cut: Rashaan Melvin

PUP: Chris Culliver

Roster total: 45 of 53

Practice squad total: 9 of 10