90-in-90 Miami Dolphins roster breakdown: Gabe Wright

The Phinsider’s 90-in-90 series is back again today, continuing our look at the Miami Dolphins’ 90-man preseason roster. The series, an annual event on the site, breaks down the Dolphins’ roster player-by-player, randomly picking a member of the team at whom we take a closer look in this (nearly) daily post.

For each article, we start with a look at the player’s 2017 performance. Then we move to why the player could progress and why he could regress in 2018. We close with a look at the chances the player has to make the 2018 regular season 53-man roster. So far this year, we have taken a look at 15 players, wide receiver Leonte Carroo, punter Matt Haack, safety T.J. McDonald, running back Buddy Howell, wide receiver DeVante Parker, defensive end William Hayes, wide receiver Isaiah Ford, safety/cornerback Walt Aikens, defensive end Claudy Mathieu, linebacker Kiko Alonso, cornerback Xavien Howard, long snapper Lucas Gravelle, wide receiver Danny Amendola, tight end A.J. Derby, and running back Frank Gore. Today, we take a look at defensive tackle Gabe Wright.

2017 Review

Wright joined the Dolphins’ practice squad in September 2017, spending the first 15 games there. He made his team debut in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills, recording one tackle in the game. Wright was originally a fourth round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2015, and has spent time with the Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles in his career, playing in 13 total games, including the one with the Dolphins.

Why he will progress

Stability could be a big boost for Wright, who the coaches seem to like and could continue as a developmental option on the team. The Dolphins need depth at defensive tackle, having cut Ndamukong Suh this offseason, and Wright could be that guy, which would increase his playing time and (should) lead to progress.

Why he will regress

The Dolphins did not address the defensive tackle position in the Draft as was widely expected, but they did address the position, adding Akeem Spence in a trade from the Lions, as well as signing undrafted free agents Jamiyus Pittman and Anthony Moten. This is behind presumed starter Jordan Phillips, along with Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor. Wright needs to prove himself a solid rotational player to break into the roster grouping.

Chances of making the 53-man roster

Phillips, Spence, Godchaux, and Taylor all seem like locks for the roster, leaving Pittman, Moten, and Wright to battle for a fifth position on the depth chart - and that is not a guaranteed position for the team, given defensive end William Hayes could also move inside to defensive tackle. It is not a promising situation for Wright, who likely ends up cut this year.