Plan A for NFL teams is usually out the window long before Week 1 of the NFL season. For the Miami Dolphins, they were onto Plan B in Week 1 of training camp.
A significant injury on Day 2 of camp of shook up the Dolphins’ 53-man roster projections.
Miami Dolphins 53-Man Roster Projection | Offense
With each iteration of our roster projections, we get more information. And the information we’ve gathered: The Dolphins hold one offensive lineman in higher regard than we estimated. As a result, we’ve added a 26th player on offense.
Quarterback
Barring an injury or a horrendous stretch by one of Tua Tagovailoa‘s backups, these will be the three quarterbacks on the team’s Week 1 roster. Skylar Thompson has consistently outplayed Mike White for QB2, but let’s wait until the preseason games begin before crowning anyone.
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Skylar Thompson
- Mike White
Running Back
No change here from 1.0, and this list probably remains static until either: 1. Someone gets hurt; or 2. Dalvin Cook signs with Miami.
With Jeff Wilson Jr. dealing with some sort of minor injury issue, Salvon Ahmed has gotten a ton of looks and has made the most of those opportunities.
- Raheem Mostert
- Jeff Wilson Jr.
- Salvon Ahmed
- De’Von Achane (R)
- Alec Ingold
Wide Receiver
With the caveat that it’s early, the biggest battle at wide receiver is between Erik Ezukanma and Robbie Chosen for WR6. Cedrick Wilson Jr. is not only unlikely to be traded, but he has gotten what appears to be a stranglehold on WR3.
- Tyreek Hill
- Jaylen Waddle
- Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- Braxton Berrios
- River Cracraft
- Erik Ezukanma
Tight End
The Dolphins don’t have any great options at tight end beyond Durham Smythe, but that should not be a big surprise. Only eight teams are spending less cap space on the position this year than Miami ($6.9 million).
- Durham Smythe
- Eric Saubert
- Julian Hill
Offensive Line
It’s unfair to truly evaluate offensive linemen until pads come on. Well, on they have come in recent days, and Kendall Lamm has consistently been in prominent positions (thanks in no small part to Terron Armstead’s deliberate recovery from knee surgery). He’s got a real shot to make this team.
- Terron Armstead
- Robert Hunt
- Connor Williams
- Austin Jackson
- Liam Eichenberg
- Robert Jones
- Dan Feeney
- Isaiah Wynn
- Kendall Lamm
Miami Dolphins 53-Man Roster Projection | Defense
The Miami Dolphins learned their lesson from 2022. You truly cannot have too many cornerbacks, which is why they doubled up in the offseason — trading for Jalen Ramsey and drafting Cam Smith. So even with Ramsey out until December, they should be OK at the position.
Interior Defensive Line
We still believe the Dolphins’ No. 4 defensive tackle is not currently on their roster, but Josiah Bronson and Brandon Pili have done enough to remain in the conversation.
- Christian Wilkins
- Zach Sieler
- Raekwon Davis
- Josiah Bronson
- Brandon Pili (R)
EDGE
Adding a 26th offensive player meant we needed to remove a defensive player from the 53. That player is rookie Mitchell Agude, who would be a slam-dunk practice squadder (assuming he makes it through waivers).
- Bradley Chubb
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Jaelan Phillips
- Malik Reed
Linebacker
Like IDL, the only way this list will change substantially is if there’s an injury or the Dolphins add from the outside.
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These are the top four at this position, and it’s not particularly close.
- Jerome Baker
- David Long Jr.
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Duke Riley
Cornerback
Ramsey’s injury was a body blow, but it won’t KO this position group. Cam Smith and Noah Igbinoghene have had some really good practices in camp, and signing Eli Apple was a smart depth move after Ramsey’s knee surgery.
- Xavien Howard
- Kader Kohou
- Cam Smith (R)
- Keion Crossen
- Noah Igbinoghene
- Eli Apple
Safety
The Dolphins are wisely taking it slow with Brandon Jones’ recovery from a torn ACL, and that prudence has created an opening for DeShon Elliott, who has been an imposing presence in the defensive backfield.
- Jevon Holland
- Brandon Jones
- DeShon Elliott
- Verone McKinley III
- Justin Bethel
Miami Dolphins 53-Man Roster Projection | Special Teams
We never claimed to have a discerning eye for specialists, but in our untrained opinion, Jake Bailey looks fantastic. He’s been booming punts in practice.
Kicker
- Jason Sanders
Punter
- Jake Bailey
Long Snapper
- Blake Ferguson
Complete Projected Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
Wide Receiver
- Tyreek Hill
- River Cracraft
Wide Receiver
- Jaylen Waddle
- Braxton Berrios
Wide Receiver
- Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- Erik Ezukanma
Quarterback
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Skylar Thompson
- Mike White
Running Back
- Raheem Mostert
- Jeff Wilson Jr.
- Salvon Ahmed
- Devon Achane
Fullback
- Alec Ingold
Tight End
- Durham Smythe
- Eric Saubert
- Julian Hill
Left Tackle
- Terron Armstead
- Kendall Lamm
Left Guard
- Liam Eichenberg
- Robert Jones
Center
- Connor Williams
- Dan Feeney
Right Guard
- Robert Hunt
- Isaiah Wynn
Right Tackle
- Austin Jackson
- Kendall Lamm
Interior Defensive Line
- Christian Wilkins
- Josiah Bronson
- Brandon Pili
Interior Defensive Line
- Zach Sieler
- Raekwon Davis
EDGE
- Bradley Chubb
- Malik Reed
EDGE
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Malik Reed
EDGE
- Jaelan Phillips
- Malik Reed
Weakside Linebacker
- Jerome Baker
- Duke Riley
Strongside Linebacker
- David Long Jr.
- Andrew Van Ginkel
Cornerback
- Noah Igbinoghene
- Cam Smith
Cornerback
- Xavien Howard
- Keion Crossen
Cornerback
- Kader Kohou
- Eli Apple
Safety
- Jevon Holland
- Justin Bethel
Safety
- Brandon Jones
- DeShon Elliott
- Verone McKinley III
Kicker
- Jason Sanders
Punter
- Jake Bailey
Long Snapper
- Blake Ferguson
