Dolphins depth chart 2016: Arian Foster named starting running back, Laremy Tunsil left guard

The Miami Dolphins saw last year’s starting running back, Lamar Miller, signed with the Houston Texans in free agency in the spring. Most of the offseason was spent with the presumption that second-year runner Jay Ajayi would assume the top spot on the depth chart, but instead, it will actually be the Texans’ former starter taking the Miami feature back role. Miami named Arian Foster the starting running back on Monday when they released their first official depth chart of the regular season.

“I think a little bit of the reason is experience; but at the same time I think Arian (Foster), from the time he’s gotten here, has really shown that, that is the correct spot for him to be in,” head coach Adam Gase explained. “He had a really good camp. He did everything we asked him to do as far as what we wanted to see in the preseason and he’s been very consistent in his knowledge of the offense in the short period of time that he was here – it was impressive to watch him (and) how quickly he picked it up.”

The Dolphins will hope Foster, who is coming off an Achilles tear he suffered against the Dolphins in Week 4 last year, will be able to return to the form that saw him gain 1,246 yards and score 8 touchdowns on his way to his fourth Pro Bowl selection in 2014. They also have to realize the 30-year-old Foster has not played in all 16 games in a season since 2012.

Miami also officially listed rookie Laremy Tunsil as the starting left guard. Drafted with the 13th overall pick, it was presumed all summer that Tunsil would eventually move into the starting lineup, but the team kept him listed as the second-string guard throughout the preseason. He will now start between Pro Bowlers, left tackle Branden Albert and center Mike Pouncey.

“I think Tunsil did earn it,” Gase said of Tunsil’s moving into the top spot. “I mean we made it hard on him. Obviously you guys … we talked about it so much. But he did; he earned it. He earned being in that spot.”

The full depth chart for the Dolphins is:

Quarterbacks:

1st Team: Ryan Tannehill
2nd Team: Matt Moore
3rd Team: Brandon Doughty

Running backs:

1st Team: Arian Foster
2nd Team: Jay Ajayi
3rd Team: Damien Williams
Others: Kenyan Drake, Isaiah Pead (Injured)

Wide Receivers:

1st Team: Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry (slot), DeVante Parker
2nd Team: Justin Hunter, Jakeem Grant (slot), Leonte Carroo

Tight Ends:

1st Team: Jordan Cameron
2nd Team: Dion Sims
3rd Team: MarQueis Gray

Offensive Line:

1st Team:
Left Tackle: Branden Albert
Left Guard: Laremy Tunsil
Center: Mike Pouncey (Injured)
Right Guard: Jermon Bushrod
Right Tackle: Ja’Wuan James

2nd Team:
Left Guard: Dallas Thomas
Center: Anthony Steen
Right Guard: Billy Turner

3rd Team:
Center: Kraig Urbik

Defensive Ends:

1st Team: Cameron Wake, Mario Williams
2nd Team: Andre Branch, Jason Jones
3rd Team: Terrence Fede

Defensive Tackles:

1st Team: Ndamukong Suh, Earl Mitchell
2nd Team: Julius Warmsley, Jordan Phillips

Linebackers:

1st Team:
WLB: Jelani Jenkins (injured)
MLB: Kiko Alonso
SLB: Koa Misi

2nd Team:
WLB: Neville Hewitt
MLB: Mike Hull
SLB: Spencer Paysinger

Cornerbacks:

1st Team: Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard
2nd Team: Bobby McCain, Tony Lippett
3rd Team: Jordan Lucas

Safeties:

1st Team: Reshad Jones, Isa Abdul-Quddus
2nd Team: Michael Thomas, Walt Aikens

Special Teams

Kicker: Andrew Franks

Punter: Matt Darr

Long Snapper: John Denney

Kick Returner: Jakeem Grant, Kenyan Drake

Punt Returner: Jarvis Landry , Jakeem Grant