MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins told us as much about the current state of their depth chart and 53-man roster by who was on the bench for Friday night’s preseason opener as who was on the field.
Mike McDaniel historically has sat all starters and many projected key contributors in the Dolphins’ first preseason game of the year, and he stuck to the script Friday.
Using that context, here’s our best guess about where things stand with the Dolphins’ roster composition as of Aug. 10.
Predicting Miami Dolphins Depth Chart, 53-Man Roster
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Tua Tagovailoa
Backup: Skylar Thompson
First Out: Mike White
The battle for QB2 was, in the words of McDaniel, “neck and neck” entering Friday’s game. And while Thompson certainly wasn’t great against the Atlanta Falcons, he was much better than White. This battle is far from settled, however.
Running Back (5)
Starters: Raheem Mostert, Alec Ingold
Backups: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Chris Brooks
First Out: Jeff Wilson Jr.
The Dolphins have an embarrassment of riches at running back, and the margin between Brooks and Wilson is razor-thin. In an ideal world, the Dolphins could trade Wilson before the cuts deadline, which would both net the Dolphins an asset and save $1.6 million against the cap.
Wide Receiver (6)
Starters: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle
Backups: Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, Malik Washington
First Out: Erik Ezukanma
Injuries have made things a bit bleak at this position. The Dolphins were so depleted by the end of Friday night’s game that they had to use new arrival Mike Harley Jr., who barely knew the plays. But assuming everyone hurt is back for the opener, the depth chart is pretty straightforward.
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Tight End (3)
Starters: Jonnu Smith
Backups: Durham Smythe, Julian Hill
First Out: Tanner Conner
Jody Fortson Jr. has an uphill climb to make this team after getting hurt in a rough preseason game. Conner is banged up too. McDaniel was smart to rest his top three, who seem locked into their spots at this point.
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: Terron Armstead, Robert Jones, Aaron Brewer, Liam Eichenberg, Austin Jackson
Backups: Kendall Lamm, Patrick Paul, Jack Driscoll, Kion Smith
First Out: Ryan Hayes
The red light was flashing on the O-line even before Smith got hurt Friday night. Brewer is likely out for multiple weeks with a hand injury, and Isaiah Wynn seems destined to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Expect the Dolphins to pursue an experienced IOL in the coming weeks.
Defensive Line (6)
Starters: Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Benito Jones
Backups: Neville Gallimore, Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand
First Out: Brandon Pili
Friday’s unofficial inactives list confirmed what most expected entering the game: Jones and Tart are pretty much locks to make the team. Gallimore, Hand, and Pili are probably fighting for two spots.
EDGE (5)
Starters: Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah
Backups: Chop Robinson, Mohamed Kamara, Quinton Bell
First Out: Grayson Murphy
This list is missing one very big name: Bradley Chubb. Why? It seems more likely with each passing day that he and fellow OLB Cameron Goode start the season on the PUP. Murphy’s quest for a roster spot suffered a setback Friday when he suffered a lower-body injury.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr.
Backups: Duke Riley, Anthony Walker Jr., Channing Tindall
First Out: Cam Brown
Has Tindall finally arrived? The 2022 third-round pick totaled just 21 defensive snaps in his first two seasons but seems to be much improved in his third training camp. Tindall had a sack and a tackle for loss versus Atlanta.
Secondary (9)
Starters: Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer
Backups: Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Siran Neal, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell
First Out: Ethan Bonner
The Dolphins clearly think highly of Bonner, who got the start at corner Friday with Ramsey, Fuller, Kohou, and Smith out. But at the end of the day, he might be the team’s 54th-best player.
Special Teams (3)
Starters: Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Blake Ferguson
Backups: N/A
First Out: N/A
Sanders’ successful 58-yard field goal attempt would have been good from 68 yards. He looks ready for the season. Bailey, meanwhile, was shaky Friday. He netted a paltry 39.1 yards per punt.
