Miami Dolphins: Predicting team's 53-man roster before training camp
Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase looks on in the game against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins roster is loaded with players right now, but by Week 1 kickoff they will all be whittled down to just 53 players. Who will those men be?
The Miami Dolphins 53-man roster will look much better heading into 2017 than it has since the days of Ricky Williams, Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas. While there are closer to 100 guys on the roster currently, we all all know it'll be cut down to the 53-man before Week 1. But who will make the team? We'll break it down into three categories: offense, defense and special teams.
It's still early so things will undoubtedly change. Free agents, trades and unexpected cap casualties are inevitable. However, right now we are rolling with the players on the current roster. The stars like Cameron Wake, Jarvis Landry and Jay Ajayi are easy to predict. The backup guards, bottom of the chart linebackers and defensive backs are not quite as predictable.
With that said, my overwhelming expertise will surely wow you with my uncanny accuracy — no not really. But hopefully this is more accurate than most.
They say you are only as strong as your weakest link so all 53 of these players will have an opportunity to play a big role for the 2017 Miami Dolphins. Injuries and cuts lead to opportunities for the lesser known players. So get to know the entire Dolphins roster here, from quarterback Ryan Tannehill to special teams ace Mike Hull and the best punter in the NFL, Matt Darr.
Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Offense
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Brandon Doughty
The quarterbacks are fairly predictable. There is no doubt Tannehill will be the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback this season with Matt Moore backing him up. I currently have Doughty on the 53-man roster with them. However, it is conceivable they only carry two quarterbacks into the season. The ACL injury that held Tannehill out of the playoffs may sway them to roster three though.
Running Backs
Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, Damien Williams, De'Veon Smith
Ajayi is the star of this group and will be the leader in the backfield entering 2017. He has more than earned the job after exploding in 2016. However, look for Kenyan Drake to have an increased role heading into his sophomore campaign. He showed nice burst last season as expected coming out of Alabama. The player to watch will be undrafted rookie De'Veon Smith. Will he be able to push for touches and can he surpass Damien Williams on the depth chart? Williams is mostly used down near the goal line.
Wide Receivers
Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Rashawn Scott, Leonte Carroo, Isaiah Ford, Jakeem Grant
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I currently have Miami retaining seven wideouts — mostly because I have faith in Grant as a returner. It is very possible he loses his roster spot. He will have to prove he deserves the job during the summer. Landry is the stud and will man the slot. I believe Parker steps up as the WR2 this season and has a monster year. Injuries have always been the issue, never talent. We have heard nothing but good things about him coming out of Miami this offseason.
Kenny Stills will remain as the deep threat and surely a fan favorite after taking home-town discount to stay in South Beach. All signs point to last year's undrafted free agent out of The U, Rashawn Scott, jumping Carroo on the depth chart who the Dolphins traded up to get last year. The rookie Isaiah Ford will make the roster and could become a contributor at some point in the future.
Tight Ends
Julius Thomas, Anthony Fasano, Marques Gray
Thomas will start the season out as the top pass-catching tight end. Unfortunately, he can't block or stay healthy. Enter Anthony Fasano. Fasano will be the lead blocking tight end and he can catch passes as well. I expect Dolphins fans to be much bigger fans of Fasano than Thomas by the end of this upcoming season. Gray will step in if needed.
Offensive Line
Laremy Tunsil (LT), Ja'Wuan James (RT), Sam Yount (RT), Mike Pouncey (C), Anthony Steen (C), Isaac Asiata (LG), Ted Larsen (LG), Jermon Bushrod (RG), Craig Ubrikc (RG)
I have the starting five on the offensive line as Tunsil and James at tackle, Bushrod and the rookie Asiata starting at guard. There is a chance Steen or Larsen step into the starting lineup depending on how things go in camp. Steen will more than likely need to step in at center at some point if Pouncey inevitably goes down. Young and Ubrick seem locked in as backups. There is a chance the Dolphins keep another lineman should they decide to cut a backup at another position.
Dec 27, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins strong safety Reshad Jones (20) is introduced before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium. The Colts won 18-12. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Defense
Defensive End
Cameron Wake, Andre Branch, William Hayes, Charles Harris
This is a very strong and deep group of defensive ends. Wake and Branch will be the starters with their first-round pick Harris working in to spell an aging Wake at times and hopefully work his way into a larger role. Hayes can play at end and tackle. I have no doubt he'll be a major contributor this season. Don't be shocked if he ends up playing a ton of snaps.
Defensive Tackle
Ndamukong Suh, Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux
This position is pretty cut and dry. Suh and Phillips will be the starters and Godchaux will try to carve out a niche of his own as a backup if he makes the team. Hayes will also work in as a tackle in 2017. There is a chance a move is made at this position at some point this season.
Linebacker
Kiko Alonso, Lawrence Timmons, Raekwon McMillan, Neville Hewitt, Koa Misi, Mike Hull, Trevor Reilly
I do expect McMillan to win a starting job this offseason. He will play alongside Timmons and Alonso. Hewitt and Misi will serve as the primary backups should someone go down with an injury. Hull is a premier special-teamer for Miami, so I fully expect him to stick on the roster. I have Reilly winning the final linebacker spot, but we'll see if that holds true.
Cornerbacks
Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett, Bobby McCain, Cordera Tankersley, Jordan Lucas
Maxwell and Howard will step up as the Dolphins top corners. This is a much stronger group than they get credit for. Lippett is a playmaker that will be the nickel corner and will step in as a starter if there is an injury. McCain and the rookie Tankersley are both safe from being cut, and at least one of them will likely be a heavy contributor. We will have to see how Tankersley develops this summer, but he fits the bill of what head coach Adam Gase is looking for physically. Lucas has the last spot and is in jeopardy of not making the team.
Safeties
Reshad Jones, Nate Allen, Michael Thomas, Walt Aikens, T.J. McDonald*
Jones is the star of the group and will head the safety position. It is very important to note that McDonald is suspended eight games and will not count against the 53-man roster until his suspension is served. Allen and Thomas will fight for a starting job in McDonald's absence. Aikens will make the roster, but could be in trouble once McDonald is eligible to return.
Nov 6, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) leaps over New York Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Special Teams
Punter
Matt Darr
Darr will be the starting punter and I say that with full confidence. If he's not the best punter in the league, he's in the top two. No one is coming in and beating him out in camp. Only an injury could keep him off the 53-man roster. He will also serve as the holder on field goals.
Place Kicker
Andrew Franks
Franks is fully expected to return as the Dolphins' starting kicker in 2017. He doesn't have the biggest league, but he's accurate and more than serviceable. I don't expect the Dolphins to go in a different direction this season. He will also serve on kickoffs.
Long Snapper
John Denney
I expect Denney to win the long snapper job. This is all he does, but is quietly a very important piece. Those snaps need to be accurate on punts and kicks. We've seen how this player failing to successfully do his job can ruin a game.
Kick Returner
Jakeem Grant, Kenyan Drake
As long as Grant can hold on to the ball this summer, I expect him to remain as the kick returner. Drake will definitely get his chances as well as he's proven he can take it to the house with incredible explosiveness.
Punt Returner
Jarvis Landry, Jakeem Grant
I hate that Landry returns punts. Star players should never be on punt returns unless it's Deion Sanders. I feel the same way about Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh. There is way too much risk on these plays and the reward does not validate the decision. Grant will step in as the backup, however, it's the same story as I've mentioned twice before. He needs to cleanly field these punts.
