Miami Dolphins training camp 2017: Bubble watch - Terrence Fede

Our last look at a player potentially on the Miami Dolphins’ roster bubble was a look at an undrafted free agent hoping to do enough to impress the coaches and earn a spot on the final 53-man roster. Today, we look at a player who has been on the roster but could be running out of time to establish himself in a deep position group. The Dolphins selected defensive end Terrence Fede in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft, with him appearing in 11 games as a rookie, then 15 games in 2015, and nine games last year. He has a career stat line including 40 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and one safety.

Fede has shown flashes of potential since joining the Dolphins out of Marist, but he has not had consistent production, either on defense or on special teams. He has had some spectacular moments, including his blocked put to give the Dolphins a 37-35 win over the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. He has just struggled to find regular playing time, however, and, without an impressive training camp and preseason, he could be on the wrong side of the bubble this year.

Fede’s biggest issue with making the roster this year may simply be numbers. Cameron Wake and Andre Branch will man the starting positions, with William Hayes likely the third man in the rotation. The Dolphins drafted Missouri defensive end Charles Harris in the first round of the Draft this year, giving the team their pass rush specialist and heir apparent to Wake. Julius Warmsely, who likely will be looked at as a rotational defenisve tackle this year, could also play outside providing the Dolphins with depth at defensive end, while saving a roster spot. Basically, Fede has to convince the coaching staff that he is too valuable to release, even if he is buried on the depth chart.

That may mean he has to make an immediate impact on special teams in camp. The coaches and front office seem to like Fede, so he has that going for him, and that could be the tie breaker when it comes down to the final few roster spots, but it is not enough to guarantee him one of the 53.

Fede is clearly on the bubble. Now, it is up to him to prove he should be on the roster when the season starts.