Early Projections for Miami Dolphins' Final 53-Man Roster
It's early in the process of building a 53-man roster, but it's not too early to project who will be the lucky 53 for the Miami Dolphins.
With rookie camp finished and an impressive list of undrafted free agents finding themselves currently with the Dolphins, there will be plenty of battles for those precious final spots on the roster.
Who will win those spots? Like I said in the first paragraph, it is a bit early to figure it out, as other teams will release players who will be useful to the Dolphins, trades might occur and other factors will come into play.
So here's the first projection for the Miami Dolphins' 2015 53-man roster as of May 11.
Quarterback
1 of 13
Starter: Ryan Tannehill
Backup: Matt Moore
The Dolphins only kept two quarterbacks on the roster in 2014, and with Ryan Tannehill's durability despite poor offensive lines—he has started every game since his rookie season and only missed parts of one due to injury—along with the need for depth elsewhere, this shouldn't change.
Josh Freeman was brought in earlier in the offseason in what amounts to a last chance to stick in the NFL.
While Freeman will be a good camp arm who should play well in the preseason, it will be Matt Moore who winds up as Miami's backup due to his experience with the team and knowledge of the playbook.
It won't be for naught with Freeman, as he should expect to remain on Miami's speed dial just in case of an emergency. He could also find himself a new home elsewhere with an impressive enough performance.
Running Back
2 of 13
Starter: Lamar Miller
Backups: Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams, LaMichael James
Calling Lamar Miller the starting running back will feel weird.
Instead, a running-back-by-committee setup by the Dolphins seems likely. While Miller will get more carries, you'll see Jay Ajayi get the bulk of the snaps during passing situations due to his ability as a receiver out of the backfield.
Ajayi will also get more end-of-game snaps as more of a north-south bruiser able to chew up clock.
As for Damien Williams and LaMichael James, they should get some snaps in, but only in case of injury or in order to keep the top two backs on the team fresh.
Wide Receiver
3 of 13
Starters: Greg Jennings, Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker
Backups: Kenny Stills, Matt Hazel
I went with five wide receivers on Miami's roster—the same number they kept on as last season—and not one of them is named Rishard Matthews.
Matthews requested either a trade or his release last week, per Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald, but with the depth Miami has at the position, this is a request that will likely be granted—albeit not until after training camp.
Matt Hazel should beat out Matthews, as he has been practicing with the rookies during rookie camp.
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Tight Ends
4 of 13
Starter: Jordan Cameron
Backups: Dion Sims, Arthur Lynch
The Dolphins seem set on their tight ends. Thus far, none of the tight ends brought in during rookie camp have been impressive, so unless 2014 UDFA Harold "Gator" Hoskins somehow finds himself back in Miami, this will be your lineup at the position in 2015.
Offensive Tackle
5 of 13
Starters: Branden Albert (LT), Ja'Wuan James (RT)
Backups: Jason Fox, Mark Asper
Tackle is a simple group with one request: Stay healthy.
The backups at the position are not set in stone, as some players who are listed at guard on Miami's roster could wind up at tackle as a result of injury.
Guard
6 of 13
Starters: Jamil Douglas (LG), Billy Turner (RG)
Backups: Jeff Linkenbach, Dallas Thomas
The Dolphins won't have much experience at guard this season, yet the 2015 group will still constitute an upgrade over years past.
Jamil Douglas is going to have to earn his starting spot, but according to Omar Kelly and Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, his performance over the weekend at rookie camp showed that he's more than capable of doing so.
Billy Turner was groomed all season to take over at right guard, despite the fact that he didn't take a lot of snaps. This year is his big opportunity to grab the starting job, and he should be able to do so.
Dallas Thomas will likely remain on the team as a bench player. If he's brought into the game due to injury, expect him to play strictly at guard, with the two former tackles in Douglas and Turner moving to tackle if the injury occurs to any of the starting tackles.
Center
7 of 13
Starter: Mike Pouncey
Backup: J.D. Walton
This position is set in stone.
Barring injury, Mike Pouncey will be Miami's starting center for many years to come.
Former New York Giant J.D. Walton is the likeliest backup. As a veteran, he brings experience to a position that needs it, but he will also be available to fill holes at guard if the need arises.
Defensive End
8 of 13
Starters: Cameron Wake, Olivier Vernon
Backups: Terrence Fede, Derrick Shelby
Yes, I only have four defensive ends on the roster, but that's not counting Chris McCain, who will see action at the position from time to time—especially when Miami lines up in a 5-2 alignment.
With the defensive line being fortified up the middle, there should be an improvement when it comes to the number of sacks made by the defensive ends. Factor in Olivier Vernon being in a contract year, and this could be one of the most destructive defensive end groups in the NFL in 2015.
Defensive Tackle
9 of 13
Starters: Ndamukong Suh, Earl Mitchell
Backups: Jordan Phillips, Anthony Johnson
This is another position where you can't really say there are "starters" or "backups."
There will be a rotation at defensive tackle, and the only player who will definitely start is Ndamukong Suh.
Second-round pick Jordan Phillips is a pure nose tackle and will be used in situations where such a player is needed, specifically against the run. Because of that, there will be some games where he will start, but he'll likely have as many snaps as Mitchell throughout the season.
Linebackers
10 of 13
Starters: Jelani Jenkins (WLB), Koa Misi (MLB), Chris McCain (SLB)
Backups: Spencer Paysinger, Jordan Tripp, Zach Vigil, Kelvin Sheppard
The starters shouldn't be a mystery, as this was what the Dolphins were working with last season—sans Philip Wheeler—and Chris McCain was impressive enough in his rookie season that it's easy to envision him winning the final starting linebacker spot.
As for the bench, Spencer Paysinger will likely take over the special teams ace role from Jason Trusnik, while Zach Vigil looks to be Miami's likeliest UDFA to stick with the team due to his skill set—he can play middle linebacker as well as on the outside—and impressive play during rookie camp.
There will be plenty of competition for him, though, as other UDFAs Mike Hull, Jeff Luc and Neville Hewitt have shown sparks as well. With that said, Vigil has been the most consistent.
Cornerbacks
11 of 13
Starters: Brent Grimes, Jamar Taylor, Brice McCain (Nickle back)
Backups: Bobby McCain, Will Davis, Tony Lippett
Six cornerbacks will be on Miami's roster.
This may seem excessive, but considering the fact that the unit turned into a MASH unit in 2014, it's necessary.
It's also necessary because of the fact that, in a given game, you might only see five of them play.
I don't see former wide receiver Tony Lippett playing too much in 2015 due to him being raw at the position. However, the Dolphins liked him enough to draft him 156th overall and likely won't risk him having to clear waivers to land on their practice squad.
Safeties
12 of 13
Starters: Reshad Jones (SS), Louis Delmas (FS)
Backups: Walt Aikens, Cedrick Thompson, Michael Thomas
I was debating whether the Dolphins would carry five or six safeties on the roster.
I went with five, as the cornerbacks will likely have—and need—more depth.
As for what will happen to start the season, that will depend on Louis Delmas' health. As of March, ESPN.com's James Walker reported that he was ahead of schedule in his recovery from an ACL injury, but there really isn't a reason for Miami to rush him back.
If the Dolphins decide to sit him out to start the year, this will open up another roster spot.
Special Teams
13 of 13
Kicker: Caleb Sturgis
Punter: Brandon Fields
Long Snapper: John Denney
Before I celebrate the end of the Caleb Sturgis era, I'd have to see how well the competition does in actual game action come the preseason.
For now, Sturgis is the favorite.
As for punter and long snapper, don't expect any change there.
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