Early Projections for the Miami Dolphins' Final 53-Man Roster

Now that the Dolphins' draft class is complete, we have a preliminary look at how the 53-man roster might look when Miami takes on the Houston Texans in Week 1 of the 2012 season. 

It's important to remember that free agency is not over.

Plenty of veterans will be cut in the coming weeks as their respective teams make room for rookies and comply with the league's salary cap regulations. 

But, as of now, this is what the Dolphins' final 53-man roster might look like on opening day. 

Quarterback

1. Matt Moore

2. David Garrard

3. Ryan Tannehill 

There's not much up for debate at quarterback. Moore, Garrard and Tannehill are basically guaranteed roster spots, and they'll compete for the starting job in training camp. 

Running Back

1. Reggie Bush

2. Daniel Thomas

3. Lamar Miller 

4. Jerome Messam (Fullback)

Unlike quarterback, there will be some competition at running back. Bush, Thomas and Miller will make the roster, but Steve Slaton, who recently signed a one-year deal, is on the bubble. The Dolphins need a fullback on the roster—and Jerome Messam will most likely win that job—so unless they're willing to keep four running backs, then Slaton will be the odd man out. 

Wide Receiver

1. Davone Bess

2. Brian Hartline

3. Legedu Naanee

4. Roberto Wallace

5. BJ Cunningham

6. Clyde Gates

Assuming Joe Philbin installs a pass-heavy offense reminiscent of the one he ran in Green Bay, the Dolphins might keep six wide receivers on the 53-man roster. Miami currently has an overabundance of wideouts, and it'll be difficult for Jeff Ireland not to keep any of the names above onboard. 

B.J. Cunningham is the biggest wild card here. I expect him to impress in training camp, but there's also the chance the Dolphins will demote him to the practice squad. 

Tight End

1. Anthony Fasano

2. Charles Clay

3. Michael Egnew 

Unless Jeron Mastrud, Will Yeatman or accountant-turned-football player Les Brown wow in training camp, then Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay and rookie Michael Egnew will assemble Miami's tight end corps. 

Right Tackle

1. Jonathan Martin

2. Lydon Murtha 

Second-round draft pick Jonathan Martin and Lydon Murtha will fight for the starting right tackle job in training camp. This will be one of the most intense and exciting positional battles to watch this summer, and I expect Martin to prevail as the starter for opening day. 

Right Guard

1. John Jerry

2. Artis Hicks 

Right guard is easily the weakest spot on Miami's depth chart right now. John Jerry has shown glimpses of brilliance, but his inconsistency is very worrisome, and it might prevent him from winning the starting job.

The Dolphins signed veteran Artis Hicks to add depth, but I don't think Miami's starting right guard is on the roster yet. There are bound to be a few quality veterans cut in the coming weeks, and the Dolphins will most likely pick one up to bolster its Achilles' heel. 

Center

1. Mike Pouncey

2. Ryan Cook 

Center is another position that appears set. Mike Pouncey is the unquestioned starter, and Ryan Cook is a solid, reliable backup. 

Left Guard

1. Richie Incognito

2. Ray Feinga 

Richie Incognito has played admirably at left guard for the last two seasons, but he might not fit in Joe Philbin's West Coast offense. The WCO requires athletic offensive linemen, and Incognito is more of a mauling, power guard than a finesse one. 

This could open the door for another castoff free agent who fits the WCO mold to come in and win the starting job.

Left Tackle

1. Jake Long

2. Nate Garner

Jake Long is obviously a lock to start at left tackle, and Nate Garner is a rock-solid, versatile backup. 

Defensive End

1. Cameron Wake

2. Jared Odrick

3. Olivier Vernon

4. Jamaal Westerman

5. Jason Trusnik

All signs indicate that the Dolphins will use the 4-3 as their base defense this season, so Cameron Wake and Jason Trusnik are now technically considered defensive ends rather than outside linebackers. They will primarily line up in the 5-technique (outside of the offensive tackle with a hand on the ground) rather than standing up as 3-4 rush linebackers—though they will still line up there when the Dolphins align in the 3-4. 

Defensive Tackle

1. Paul Soliai

2. Randy Starks

3. Tony McDaniel

4. Ryan Baker

It looks like Randy Starks will move back to defensive tackle again (he's rotated between defensive end and defensive tackle for each of the last three seasons). But, he should still get some reps at defensive end. 

Seventh-round draft pick Kheeston Randall and second-year player Isaako Aaitui will both have an opportunity to earn a roster spot, but I think the Dolphins will ultimately demote Randall to the practice squad and cut Aaitui, leaving Ryan Baker in his incumbent position as the back-up defensive tackle. 

Outside Linebacker

1. Kevin Burnett (SLB)

2. Koa Misi (WLB)

3. Gary Guyton 

4. Josh Kaddu 

Kevin Burnett and Koa Misi will both transition to new roles in the 4-3 defense. Burnett will likely lineup as the "Sam," or strong-side linebacker, while Misi will lineup as the "Will," or weak-side linebacker. Hopefully, Misi will thrive in his new role after a disappointing sophomore season. 

Recently signed Gary Guyton and fifth-round pick Josh Kaddu should also make the 53-man roster, but the Dolphins could definitely stand to add more depth here.

Middle Linebacker

1. Karlos Dansby

2. Austin Spitler 

Karlos Dansby will captain Miami's defense from the "Mike," or middle linebacker spot.

Former seventh-round draft pick Austin Spitler is the only other middle linebacker on the roster, and it'll be interesting to see if he can finally carve out a regular role for himself. The Dolphins will probably bring in some competition for him, but it'd be exciting to see Spitler—who can deliver bone-crushing hits—on the roster come opening day. 

Cornerback

1. Vonate Davis

2. Sean Smith

3. Richard Marshall (Nickelback)

4. Nolan Carroll 

5. Jonathan Wade 

Davis, Smith, Marshall and Carroll will make the roster, but that fifth cornerback spot is up for grabs now that Jimmy Wilson is moving to safety. The Dolphins will host a competition between Vincent Agnew, Marcus Brown, Jonathan Wade and some undrafted free agents. 

Wade's experience makes him the early favorite, but don't be surprised if Miami picks up a veteran cornerback to fill the fifth spot. 

Safety

1. Chris Clemons

2. Reshad Jones

3. Jimmy Wilson

4. Tyrell Johnson

Joe Philbin said, via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald that "while not totally interchangeable, strong safety and free safety players could do one or the other."

So, it sounds like there won't be a great distinction between free and strong safety in defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle's defense. 

The Dolphins definitely would have benefited from pursuing a starting-caliber safety in free agency or the draft, but cap restraints prevented them from doing so. Another year of Chris Clemons and Reshad Jones is discomforting; however, Jimmy Wilson has the potential to thrive as a safety.

This also might be the end of the road for Tyrone Culver, who's been with the team since 2008. But, Culver has displayed amazing resilience every year, and I wouldn't be surprised if he manages to stay onboard for another season.   

Kicker/Punter/Long Snapper

PK: Dan Carpenter

P: Brandon Fields

LS: John Denney

Barring any surprises, the Dolphins' core special teams players should return. 

John Denney has spent the last seven years as Miami's long snapper, Brandon Fields was phenomenal last season and Dan Carpenter rebounded from a sub-par 2010 season last year.