The Miami Dolphins finished their 2024 veteran minicamp and signed free agency safety Marcus Maye. It’s time for a new 53-man roster prediction.
The Miami Dolphins will take a six-week sabbatical following the conclusion of their offseason conditioning program and before to the start of training camp. Players and coaches will be enjoying the NFL’s only genuine down period, though there is never a fully quiet period in the NFL. The Dolphins finished their veteran minicamp last week, and as vacations began, they signed veteran safety Marcus Maye.
Minicamp and the addition of a new safety to the roster call into question my previous forecast for the Dolphins’ 53-man roster. What changes as we prepare for training camp? How does Maye fit into the roster, and who may lose their spot as a result of his addition? I updated my roster projections this morning.
Quarterbacks (2)
Tua Tagovailoa
Mike White
There are no changes here. Skylar Thompson remains the odd man out, landing on the practice squad under the league’s revised emergency quarterback rules.
Running backs (4)
Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright (R) and Salvon Ahmed.
There are no changes here. I know many people claimed that Chris Brooks should be on the roster over Ahmed, and they may be correct. I want to see more from Brooks, who was injured for the most of his rookie season. Jeff Wilson, Jr. also plays a role in this conflict. The bubble watch at training camp will be exciting for running backs.
Fullback (1)
Alec Ingold
The Dolphins enjoy having a fullback, and they have a Pro Bowl player.
Tight ends (3)
Durham Smythe
Jonnu Smith
Julian Hill
This was the first of two significant concerns people had about my earlier estimate. I left Jody Fortson off the roster in the first projection, and I’m doing it again now. I understand he was signed early in the free agency season, and people like the potential he provides to the position, but (a) the Dolphins still need to establish they will use tight ends, and (b) where does the roster space come from to add him? Fortson has made 14 receptions in his career. If he performs well during camp, he may force his way onto the roster, but for now, it’s a numbers game, and I don’t see it going his way. Tanner Conner and rookie Hayden Rucci will be battling for practice squad space.
Wide receivers (6)
Tyreek Hill
Jaylen Waddle
Odell Beckham, Jr.
Malik Washington (R)
River Cracraft
Braxton Berrios
My first change is to reinstate Berrios to the roster. The impact of the new kick return regulations on rosters remains to be seen, but Berrios provides the Dolphins with a reliable option back there, which may force them to keep him on the roster. Erik Ezukanma, Anthony Schwartz, Braylon Sanders, Mathew Sexton, and newcomers Tahj Washington and Je’Quan Burton will all compete for roster spots this season.
Offensive line (9)
Terron Armstead
Isaiah Wynn
Aaron Brewer
Liam Eichenberg
Austin Jackson
Patrick Paul
Kendall Lamm
Robert Jones
Jack Driscoll
Berrios’ addition to the roster necessitates the removal of someone from the 53-man projection. In this scenario, Lester Cotton is on the wrong side of the cut line. Cotton and Kion Smith might both fight their way onto the roster, but the numbers game is not in their favor right now. Miami could consider keeping multiple lineman on the practice squad to ensure depth at a position that has battled to stay healthy in recent seasons. Chasen Hines, Ryan Hayes, Matthew Jones, Andrew Meter, and Ireland Brown might all influence those decisions. Bayron Matos, the Dominican-born basketball star hoping to switch to the NFL as a lineman, is an International Pathway Program athlete. He should make the practice squad in an exempted spot.
Defensive line (6)
Zach Sieler
Da’Shawn Hand
Teair Tart
Benito Jones
Neville Gallimore
Brandon Pili
Another roster move has occurred, but this time it is a one-for-one position swap, with Pili replacing Jonathan Harris in the lineup. There’s something about Pili that makes me think he’ll make the roster. Harris, Pili, and Gallimore are all competing for the remaining two defensive tackle spots. Daviyon Nixon and Isaiah Mack require good training camps to prevent falling off the roster. Rookies Leonard Payne and Mario Kendricks must prove themselves.
Linebackers (9)
Jaelan Phillips
David Long, Jr.
Anthony Walker, Jr.
Bradley Chubb
Chop Robinson (R)
Shaquil Barrett
Jordyn Brooks
Mohamed Kamara (R)
Duke Riley
I completely botched up my prior projection, but it’s solved here. I left Kamara off the roster – not because I didn’t believe he would make it, but because I believed I had included him on the list, and after I published the post, it was pointed out that I had forgotten him. He is back on the list where he belongs, but my statement about eight linebackers being too many is worsened by this projection, which has nine on the list. Part of this stems from concerns about Chubb and Phillips’ rehabilitation status. Phillips appears to be ready for Week 1, but Chubb might end up on the physically unable to perform list, which case, a roster spot opens. Channing Tindall, Cameron Goode, and Zeke Vandenburgh are all on the wrong side of the cut line. Rookie Grayon Murphy is likely a practice squad player.
Cornerbacks (5)
Jalen Ramsey
Kendall Fuller
Kader Kohou
Siran Neal
Cam Smith
Adding Kamara to my list compels me to make another cut, depriving rookie Storm Duck a position on the projected roster. Ethan Bonner is the best bubble player to keep an eye on here. Jason Maitre and Isaiah Johnson are longshots.
Safeties (5)
Jevon Holland
Jordan Poyer
Marcus Maye
Elijah Campbell
Nik Needham
Marcus Maye’s addition to the team results in Mark Perry’s departure from the roster. Patrick McMorris, a sixth-round pick, must show himself in order to make the roster; else, he may be assigned to the practice squad. Jordan Colbert, a rookie, must appear on special teams to make the roster.
Special Teams (3)
K: Jason Sanders
P: Jake Bailey
LS: Blake Ferguson
