Miami Dolphins: Projecting the Team's 2011 Depth Chart
With a fresh batch of rookies now officially integrated into the Miami Dolphins roster, the team's outlook is coming further into focus.
There are still a few holes to be plugged—namely at quarterback, running back and outside linebacker—but for the most part, Miami's roster looks to be set. Training camp (assuming it actually happens) will feature a few position battles. Fortunately for the team, all of these battles are coming from a surplus of talent.
Is this the roster that will lead Miami to a Super Bowl? Probably not. But if the team plays its free agency cards right, then this Dolphins squad could actually make a legitimate run in 2011.
Quarterback
1 of 20
1. Veteran Free Agent
2. Chad Henne
3. Tyler Thigpen
Chad Henne clearly understands that his job is in jeopardy. During the lockout, Henne, who has been criticized for his lack of vocal leadership, has been leading the Dolphins' workouts. However, it may be too little, too late.
Henne just doesn't appear to have the skill set or the mindset to succeed right now, and Miami will certainly be in the market for a quarterback once the lockout ends. The team has been connected to Carson Palmer, but if it cannot land him, then Henne might get another chance to prove himself in 2011.
Running Back
2 of 20
1. Daniel Thomas
2. Free Agent Signee
3. Lex Hilliard
Although we can't officially rule out Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams from returning, pursuing a younger free agent running back seems to be the most sensible solution for the 'Fins. DeAngelo Williams has openly expressed interest in playing for the Dolphins, and the team would probably jump at the opportunity to land the crown jewel of this year's class.
Meanwhile, Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets will battle for the third spot. Sheets' potential is totally untapped, and nobody knows what he is capable of or if he is any good. But if the Dolphins land a free agent scat back such as DeAngelo Williams or Darren Sproles, then Hilliard will likely win the spot for his physicality and fullback potential.
Fullback
3 of 20
1. Lousaka Polite
1b. Charles Clay
2. Lex Hilliard
If Lex Hilliard or Charles Clay gets a chance to compete for the starting fullback job during training camp, then Lousaka Polite could be cut. Polite was the league's best fullback in 2009, but in 2010, he was rated 27th by Football Outsiders.
Jeff Ireland said the team drafted Clay as a fullback, suggesting he might have the inside track on the job. Polite should and will get a chance to reestablish himself as an elite fullback over the summer, but if either Clay or Hilliard shows he can handle the duties, then one could seize the job.
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Wide Receiver
4 of 20
2. Davone Bess
3. Brian Hartline
4. Edmond Gates
5. Roberto Wallace
The outlook of Miami's wide receiving corps is almost entirely contingent upon Edmond Gates and his adaptability to the NFL. Gates will have to make an astronomical leap from Division II in order to make an impact this season, but it can be done (Pierre Garcon).
If Gates succeeds early in camp, then Brian Hartline likely lands on the hot seat. He'd probably duke it out with Marlon Moore, a young developmental receiver with more upside. Either way, the team will hold on to Roberto Wallace.
Tight End
5 of 20
1. Anthony Fasano
2. Charles Clay
3. Dedrick Epps
Unless Charles Clay wins the starting fullback job outright, he'll likely see some reps at tight end. Clay is a very versatile player whose H-back skill set will allow him to move around and add a dynamic athlete to Miami's packages.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins continue to place unwavering trust in Anthony Fasano, who has been merely mediocre thus far.
Left Tackle
6 of 20
1. Jake Long
2. Matt Kopa
Three Pro Bowls in three years? Jake Long isn't going anywhere for a very, very long time.
Left Guard
7 of 20
1. Richie Incognito
2. Ray Feinga
Richie Incognito will duel with Mike Pouncey for the starting center job, but it's difficult to see him dethroning the rookie.
Center
8 of 20
1. Mike Pouncey
2. Joe Berger
The Dolphins didn't spend a first-round pick on Pouncey to keep him waiting in the wings. He'll step in and (hopefully) immediately bolster an offensive line responsible for much of Miami's rushing woes.
Those worried about Pouncey's snapping accuracy should watch tape from the second half of his 2010 season after he had time to settle into the position.
Right Guard
9 of 20
1. John Jerry
2. Nate Garner
The second (and only other) position battle along the offensive line will take place at right guard. Sophomore John Jerry will duke it out with veteran Nate Garner for the starting role. Jerry, a 2010 third-round pick, had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, while Garner filled in admirably for separate injured players after he returned from injury midway through the season.
Once training camp rolls around, Jerry will probably earn the job. His upside far outweighs Garner's, and he should progress from last season.
Right Tackle
10 of 20
1. Vernon Carey
2. Pat McQuistan
Vernon Carey has quietly established himself as a cornerstone player in the Dolphins offense. Like Jake Long, Carey will be around for a while.
Left Defensive End
11 of 20
1. Kendall Langford
2. Jared Odrick
Kendall Langford has materialized into one of this regime's best draft picks. The 2009 third-round pick racked up 47 tackles last season and should receive a big payday when his contract expires next summer—though it might not be from Miami.
Last year's first-round pick Jared Odrick is returning from injury and will be waiting in the wings, but he probably isn't ready to usurp Langford or Randy Starks quite yet. He'll still see plenty of reps in 2011, though.
Nose Tackle
12 of 20
1. Paul Soliai
2. Ryan Baker
The Dolphins slapped the franchise tag on Paul Soliai earlier this offseason. Until the lockout is lifted, though, Miami can't negotiate a long-term deal with last year's most surprising success story. That might be a good thing, however. Soliai will be even more motivated to earn his money.
Right Defensive End
13 of 20
1. Randy Starks
2. Phillip Merling
Miami experimented with Randy Starks at defensive tackle last season, but Paul Soliai's breakout season will push Starks back to end, where he can utilize his pass-rushing dominance. Meanwhile, patience is wearing thin with 2009 second-round pick Phillip Merling, whose impact has been minimal and unimpressive.
Left Outside Linebacker
14 of 20
1. Koa Misi
2. Free Agent Signee
Koa Misi quietly had a very impressive rookie season in 2010. He compiled 41 tackles and 4.5 sacks, showing more pass-rushing potential than most initially suspected he possessed.
Currently, there are only three outside linebackers under contract, so the Dolphins will have to pursue somebody in free agency who can add depth and security to the position.
Middle Linebacker
15 of 20
1. Karlos Dansby
2. Channing Crowder
3. Tim Dobbins
4. A.J. Edds
Karlos Dansby's job is obviously safe atop Miami's linebacker corps; however, the starting spot alongside him could be up for grabs. Channing Crowder has resiliently clung onto that starting role, but his durability continues to drag him down.
Miami has two intriguing prospects in Tim Dobbins and A.J. Edds. Dobbins played respectably when he saw the field last season, but he didn't outplay Crowder. Edds, a 2010 fourth-round pick, missed the season with a torn ACL, and his potential is completely untapped.
Right Outside Linebacker
16 of 20
1. Cameron Wake
2. Ikaika Alama-Francis
Cameron Wake rose to stardom with a breakout campaign in 2010 and will secure that starting role for the foreseeable future. Alama-Francis is entering the final year of his contract, and assuming Wake is clobbered by double-teams for most of the season, he could see some extended playing time to prove his worth.
Cornerback
17 of 20
1. Vontae Davis
2. Sean Smith
3. Will Allen
4. Nolan Carroll
5. Benny Sapp
Will Allen is slated to return from a one-and-a-half-year injury hiatus. This will force a position battle at cornerback, where the veteran will challenge Vontae Davis and Sean Smith for a starting spot.
Remember, Allen started over both in '09 and was the team's No. 1 corner during its 2008 playoff run. In all likelihood, the three will rotate assuming Allen stays healthy. This bodes well for the Dolphins—a surplus of talent never hurt anybody.
Strong Safety
18 of 20
1. Yeremiah Bell
2. Tyrone Culver
Yeremiah Bell now has two Pro Bowls under his belt as he continues to hover below the radar as one of the NFL's most consistent safeties. He should continue bolstering his résumé in 2011.
Free Safety
19 of 20
1. Chris Clemons
2. Reshad Jones
3. Jonathan Amaya
The second defensive position battle will take place at free safety. Chris Clemons was good, but not great, as the Dolphins' starting free safety during the 2010 season. The team continues to get torched down the middle of the field, especially by tight ends.
Clemons will battle with 2010 fifth-round pick Reshad Jones and Jonathan Amaya for the job. Both Jones and Amaya have shown promising flashes on special teams and in their respective reps.
Kick Returner
20 of 20
1. Nolan Carroll
2. Edmond Gates
Carroll assumed return duties as a rookie in 2010 and averaged a rather respectable 24.3 yards per return. It's still unspectacular, and Miami has lacked an explosive return man since...Wes Welker? Jeff Ogden? (Ted Ginn was not a good return man. Discount his game against the Jets and there's nothing there.)
Gates ran a 4.37 at the combine, and though he doesn't have much return experience, he could challenge Carroll given the opportunity.
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