Miami Dolphins roster predictions through three preseason games

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The Miami Dolphins have one preseason game remaining, with the 2017 regular season starting two weeks from today. After 75 percent of the preseason schedule has been completed, we are starting to get a better idea of how the regular season 53-man roster could look come the team’s Week 1 meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This afternoon, we take an updated look at the Dolphins’ roster and attempt to predict how the coaches will build the regular season version of it when roster cuts are due. Will there be a surprise player who makes the 53-man roster? Will a veteran be left off?

Here is our prediction after the third preseason game:

Offense (24)

Quarterbacks (2)

Jay Cutler
Matt Moore

Analysis: Neither Brandon Doughty nor David Fales have jumped out as needing a roster spot. Matt Moore is clearly the number two quarterback behind starter Jay Cutler.

Running backs (4)

Jay Ajayi
Kenyan Drake
Damien Williams
Senorise Perry

Analysis: Initially, the group only included three players, but adding Perry to the roster seems to make sense. He has been working as a kick returner, and it frees up someone higher on the depth chart from being on the field in that role. An argument could be made to flip Perry for Storm Johnson. Otherwise, Ajayi, Drake, and Williams are clearly the top three for the position group.

Wide receivers (6)

Jarvis Landry
DeVante Parker
Kenny Stills
Leonte Carroo
Jakeem Grant
Damore’ea Stringfellow

Analysis: This is one of the deepest areas on the team this preseason, so it seems likely it will end up being one of the deepest areas on the 53-man roster, plus the practice squad. The top five, Landry, Parker, Stills, Carroo, and Grant, seem locked into the roster. Stringfellow and Drew Morgan are the two likeliest to fill a sixth roster position - in this case, Stringfellow.

Tight ends (3)

Julius Thomas
Anthony Fasano
MarQueis Gray

Analysis: Thomas and Fasano will take the top two spots. Gray has done enough to be worked onto the roster as the third option. Thomas Duarte and Chris Pantale are probably fighting for a practice squad position.

Offensive linemen (9)

Laremy Tunsil
Anthony Steen
Mike Pouncey
Jermon Bushrod
Ja’Wuan James
Sam Young
Jesse Davis
Eric Smith
Isaac Asiata

Analyis: To get a fourth running back on the roster, the offensive line group lost a spot. Tunsil, Steen, Pouncey, Bushrod, and James are the starting five at this point, through Davis is pushing Steen for that left guard spot. Sam Young appears to be the swing tackle, while Smith and Asiata provide depth options if needed. Jake Brendel got bounced off the roster and landed on the practice squad, giving Miami a depth center/guard if needed later this year. Avery Young picks up the same role on the outside.

Defense (26)

Defensive ends (5)

Cameron Wake
Andre Branch
William Hayes
Charles Harris
Terrence Fede

Analysis: Wake, Branch, Hayes, and Harris are locks for the roster, with Fede being the question mark. He provides depth, but he could also be on the wrong side of the roster bubble. He makes it in this scenario, but that may not be a guarantee. Praise Martin-Oguike makes the practice squad as a developmental pass rusher.

Defensive tackles (5)

Ndamukong Suh
Davon Godchaux
Jordan Phillips
Vincent Taylor
Julius Warmsley

Anlysis: Suh should be joined by Godchaux as the starters, with Phillips the primary reserve. Taylor likely provides the depth as the fourth defensive tackle, while Warmsley adds a defensive end/tackle depth option for both positions.

Linebackers (7)

Kiko Alonso
Lawrence Timmons
Mike Hull
Rey Maualuga
Neville Hewitt
Trevor Reilly
Chase Allen

Analysis: Five linebackers should easily make the roster, with Alonso, Timmons, and Hull the likely starters, while Maualuga works himself into football shape and Hewitt provides depth. Reilly and Allen get the nod as the end of the group options right now, but those could change during the next two weeks. Deon Lacey makes the practice squad as a developmental option for the team.

Cornerbacks (5)

Byron Maxwell
Xavien Howard
Bobby McCain
Cordrea Tankersley
Alterraun Verner

Analysis: Another area of depth in the preseason for Miami, there could be some tough decisions at cornerback. Maxwell, Howard, and McCain have the starter positions, With Tankersley’s draft position likely making him the fourth option. The loss of Tony Lippett makes filling out the roster a little easier, but it does hurt the team’s talent level some. Verner gets selected to provide the Dolphins with some veteran depth. Keeping only five cornerbacks feels like it is too few, especially with the injuries Miami has seen as the position, but there are some hybrid type players at safety that can fill in if needed. Trying to stash Lafayette Pitts on the practice squad could be dangerous, leaving him open to poaching, but there is just no roster room in this scenario.

Safeties (4)

Reshad Jones
Nate Allen
Michael Thomas
Walt Aikens

Analysis: Jones and Allen take the top two spots, while Thomas and Aikens should claim the two back up positions. They can play safety, give Miami some key special team capabilities. They also both have cornerback experience, either in games or, at least, practice, so the team has depth across the secondary with the two of them. The practice squad adds Maurice Smith, though A.J. Hendy could land that spot as well. The return of T.J. McDonald mid-way through the season will lead to some other decisions for the team.

Special Teams (3)

Punter (1)

Matt Darr

Kicker (1)

Andrew Franks

Long Snapper (1)

John Denney

Analysis: No real surprises here. Darr, Franks, and Denney all keep their positions from last year.

Practice Squad (10)

Brandon Doughty, quarterback
Thomas Duarte, tight end
Drew Morgan, wide receiver
Trey Griffey, wide receiver
Avery Young, tackle
Jake Brendel, center
Praise Martin-Oguike, defensive end
Deon Lacey, linebacker
Lafayette Pitts, cornerback
Maurice Smith, safety