Miami Dolphins: Immediate 53-Man Roster Cut-Predictions Post-Rams Game

The Miami Dolphins have completed the preseason 3-1 after defeating the St. Louis Rams 14-13, and now comes the toughest part of any preseason: who to keep, and who to release. 

The Dolphins had some great positional battles filled with hungry players looking for their shot to make noise in the league. Some players will have to be released due to the depth at their positions, with Miami's hope that they can clear waivers and wind up on the Dolphins' practice squad. 

So who's staying, who's going and who's starting? Let's predict who will fill each of those roles. 

Quarterback

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

QB1: Ryan Tannehill QB2: Matt Moore

Practice Squad: Seth Lobato

This was never a race, despite what a small contingent of Dolphins fans would've wanted. 

The non-battle between Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore was never interesting. Tannehill is Miami's best quarterback. 

However, there is the question of a third quarterback. Miami has had one for the last few years, but this season with depth needed at other positions, the Dolphins will more likely choose to go with only two quarterbacks, relegating Seth Lobato to the practice squad. 

If you've seen Lobato play at all this preseason, you'd understand why you wouldn't want him being two heartbeats away from being Miami's starting quarterback. 

Running Back

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

RB1: Knowshon Moreno

RB2: Lamar Miller

RB3: Damien Williams

IR: Mike Gillislee

Practice Squad: Orleans Darkwa

Cut: Daniel Thomas

I could see why Miami would keep four running backs on the active roster, and had Daniel Thomas turned in a good performance on Thursday night, I could see why they'd keep him. 

Unfortunately for Thomas, his performance was a typical performance for him. He ran for 38 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown. It's not what I would call a job-keeping performance. 

Orleans Darkwa wasn't much better, as he only had 22 yards on 11 carries. I could see him getting a spot on the practice squad based off of the upside potential that he has. 

Wide Receiver

David Goldman/Associated Press

WR1: Mike Wallce

WR2: Brian Hartline

WR3: Brandon Gibson

WR4: Jarvis Landry

WR5: Rishard Matthews

WR6: Damian Williams

Practice Squad: Matt Hazel

Cut: Marcus Thigpen, Kevin Cone

It was a tough battle for the six wide receiver spots Miami will keep, one that already claimed Armon Binns, who was released last Tuesday, per Andrew Abramson of The Palm Beach Post. 

Damian Williams' ability to return punts and kickoffs gives him a lift over Matt Hazel, Marcus Thigpen and Kevin Cone, as well as the fact that he has the most experience out of anyone. 

Tight End

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

TE1: Charles Clay

TE2: Dion Sims

TE3: Gator Hoskins

IR: Arthur Lynch

Cut: Kyle Miller, Evan Wilson

Gator Hoskins showed the most out of any tight end on the Dolphins this preseason, and not only will he make the team, but he will likely at some point this season replace Dion Sims as Miami's second tight end due to his ability to find the end zone (he led the NCAA in touchdowns the last two seasons). 

Arthur Lynch was hurt for most of training camp, which is why Miami is starting him on injured reserve, while Kyle Miller and Evan Wilson haven't shown anything this offseason. 

Offensive Line

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

LT: Branden Albert

LG: Daryn Colledge

C: Samson Satele

RG: Shelley Smith

RT: Ja'Wuan James

OT/C/G: Nate Garner

OT/G: Billy Turner

OG: Dallas Thomas

OG/C: Sam Brenner

C (soon to return as starter): Mike Pouncey

Practice Squad: Even Finkenberg

Cut: David Arkin, Jason Fox, Tony Hillis

Jason Fox may be the veteran, however, Billy Turner can serve the same role (and has more upside), as does Sam Brenner. 

In a perfect world, I'd get rid of Dallas Thomas, who has had a horrible preseason. This isn't a perfect world, though. 

Defensive Line

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

RDE: Olivier Vernon

RDT: Jared Odrick

LDT: Randy Starks

LDE: Cameron Wake

DE: Dion Jordan

DE: Derrick Shelby

DE: Terrence Fede

DT: Earl Mitchell

DT: Anthony Johnson

Practice Squad: Kamal Johnson, Garrison Smith

Cut: Isaako Aaitui, D'Aundre Reed

This is one of the toughest position groups to predict on the Dolphins due to the depth involved, as well as the great development of these players. 

The toughest decision will be choosing between Anthony Johnson, Kamal Johnson and Garrison Smith. All three would be helped by a good game against St. Louis, and they each delivered. 

I'm giving Anthony Johnson the nod over Smith and Kamal Johnson, as Anthony Johnson has been much more consistent throughout training camp and the preseason. The Dolphins should hope that at least one of those two players can clear waivers and get put on Miami's practice squad. 

Linebacker

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

WLB: Dannell Ellerbe

MLB: Koa Misi

SLB: Philip Wheeler

LB: Chris McCain

LB: Jordan Tripp

LB: Jelani Jenkins

LB: Jason Trusnik

LB: Jonathan Freeny

Practice Squad: Andrew Wilson

No linebackers cut despite this being one of Miami's weaker units, but the fact that they only had nine on the roster to begin with is probably a mistake on Miami's part from this offseason. 

Wilson could develop a bit on the practice squad, while Freeny, Trusnik and Jenkins will make it based off of their special teams play. 

Secondary

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

CB1: Brent Grimes

CB2: Cortland Finnegan

Nickleback: Will Davis

CB: Jamar Taylor

Safety: Louis Delmas

Safety: Reshad Jones

Safety/Cornerback: Jimmy Wilson

Safety: Michael Thomas

Safety: Jordan Kovacs

Practice Squad: Walt Aikens

Cut: Kevin Fogg

Jordan Kovacs' special teams performance against the Rams might have given him the spot on the final 53-man roster over Walt Aikens. 

Aikens has a bright future as a boundary corner, but he could use some further development. Miami's practice squad might be the best place for him to do just that. 

Special Teams

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

K: Caleb Sturgis

P: Brandon Fields

LS: John Denney

Cut: Jake Rodgers

Not too many changes here, Miami will go in with the same special teams unit as last season. 

Keep an eye on Sturgis, who is recovering from a groin injury that limited him during the preseason. He had some issues with leg strength against the Rams on Thursday night, and if this extends into the season, Miami could be shopping for a new kicker come Week 2. 

Follow @thomasgalicia