TAMPA — Life has a way of sorting out the 53-man rosters of even the most talented teams.
That’s certainly the case for the 2024 Miami Dolphins, whose 53-man roster and depth chart projections are much easier at the end of training camp than at the beginning of it.
The Dolphins have been fortunate to avoid injuries to their best players this summer, but their depth will definitely be tested, at least early, due to a bunch of significant losses to their second-line players.
Predicting Miami Dolphins Depth Chart, 53-Man Roster
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Tua Tagovailoa
Backup: Skylar Thompson
First Out: Mike White
The QB2 decision will ultimately come down to trust. Because if it were decided purely on the field, Thompson would be the runaway winner.
Thompson’s preseason stats weren’t great (57.4%, 5.7 yards per attempt, 76.3 rating), but they were significantly better than White’s.
Running Back (5)
Starters: Raheem Mostert, Alec Ingold
Backups: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson Jr.
First Out: Chris Brooks
This is a tough, tough call for the RB4 spot, but we gave the nod to Wilson over Brooks due to his relationship with McDaniel and Brooks’ recent injury.
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If Brooks is still hurt as of Tuesday, the Dolphins should stash him on IR for a couple of months and bring him back for the stretch run.
Wide Receiver (5)
Starters: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle
Backups: Braxton Berrios, Malik Washington, Erik Ezukanma
First Out: Braylon Sanders
McDaniel told reporters that he’s “not nervous” about the fact that Odell Beckham Jr. has yet to practice as a member of the Dolphins. Regardless, our guess is OBJ begins the season on PUP until there’s confidence he’s truly healthy.
Tight End (3)
Starters: Jonnu Smith
Backups: Durham Smythe, Julian Hill
First Out: Tanner Conner
The Dolphins telegraphed their intentions at this position by sitting Smith, Smythe, and Hill for the final preseason game. All three are seemingly locks to make the team.
Offensive Line (9)
Starters: Terron Armstead, Robert Jones, Aaron Brewer, Liam Eichenberg, Austin Jackson
Backups: Kendall Lamm, Patrick Paul, Jack Driscoll, Lester Cotton
First Out: Ryan Hayes
Real talk: The Dolphins’ ninth offensive lineman is probably not on the roster yet.
Hayes’ injury Friday further upped the urgency for the Dolphins to find help on the interior offensive line from the outside this week.
Defensive Line (6)
Starters: Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Benito Jones
Backups: Neville Gallimore, Brandon Pili, Da’Shawn Hand
First Out: Jonathan Harris
Pili is on the 53, assuming his MRI went well after he suffered what appeared to be a minor injury Friday night. Jones’ health is the only other question mark for this group. He hasn’t practiced in weeks.
EDGE (5)
Starters: Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah
Backups: Chop Robinson, Mohamed Kamara, Quinton Bell
First Out: Wyatt Ray
The Dolphins’ youth is going to have to carry them until Bradley Chubb returns from the physically unable to perform list. Robinson and Kamara have flashed at times, but more consistency is needed.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr.
Backups: Duke Riley, Anthony Walker Jr., Channing Tindall
First Out: Curtis Bolton
Few Dolphins players have helped themselves more this summer than Tindall, who made splash plays in all three preseason games. He went from a true wild card to a pretty comfortable member of the 53.
Secondary (10)
Starters: Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer
Backups: Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Siran Neal, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell, Ethan Bonner
First Out: Storm Duck
Beckham’s roster status should allow the Dolphins to keep 10 DBs, with Bonner earning the final spot.
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This is a deep and talented group and will be even deeper if the Dolphins can get Duck, Isaiah Johnson, and Jason Maitre to the practice squad.
Special Teams (3)
Starters: Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Blake Ferguson
Backups: N/A
First Out: N/A
Bailey netted just 40.9 yards per punt in the preseason, and Sanders missed two field goals, but special teams coordinator Danny Crossman doesn’t seem inclined to switch out either.
