The Miami Dolphins have played two preseason games, and things are beginning to clear up - at least in a few places - as far as how the roster is shaping up.
Afer the Dolphins' final preseason game on Friday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel will have to trim the roster down to their best 53 players.
Here's my projection as to how that final 53-man roster will look with one week left to go.
Quarterbacks (2): Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White
Clearly Miami will carry only two QBs here, and Skylar Thompson never stepped through the door that White left wide open for him all camp and preseason . White hasn't earned this, really. Thompson just never did any better. A shame Miami didn't address this group with any outside competition this offseason.
Running Backs (5): Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Chris Brooks, Alec Ingold
A bit of a surprise here at the back end perhaps with Brooks over Jeff Wilson, Jr., but Brooks has simply earned it this preseason. He is a guy who would help this roster right now. I don't think it makes sense to carry five running backs plus Alec Ingold. Too many other roster needs to carry five RBs.
Wide Receivers (6): Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, River Cracraft, Odell Beckham, Jr., Erik Ezukanma, Braxton Berrios
The first four names are set in stone. It comes down to Ezukanma, Berrios, and Malik Washington for the last two spots. Ezukanma - who stood out positively on Saturday night - has a higher as a receiver right now, and Berrios and Washington's skills are very similar, so I'm giving Ezukanma a spot. By a razor-thin margin I'm giving the last spot to Berrios based on experience. Washington could be a WR7 candidate if Miami goes that way, or certainly would remain on the practice squad - if he were to actually clear waivers.
Offensive line (9): Terron Armstead, Kendall Lamm, Patrick Paul, Austin Jackson, Aaron Brewer, Robert Jones, Liam Eichenberg, Lester Cotton, Jake Driscoll
It's hard to know what's going on with Isaiah Wynn right now. I'm going with him on PUP or IR to start the year until further word about improvement. Lester Cotton gets the nod here as a result.
Tight ends (3): Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill
Tanner Conner's injury is unfortunately, as he was looking good up until that point. No reason the Dolphins should carry four tight ends out of this group.
Defensive line (5): Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Benito Jones, Brandon Pili, Da'Shawn Hand
It's really tough to tell what the Dolphins will do on the back end of this group. There are a number of candidates in play. Pili has made some plays in both preseason games, so I'm giving him a nod here. Jonathan Harris and others could replace Hand easily. Very tight competition there.
Edge rushers (5): Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, Quinton Bell, Emmanuel Ogbah, Mo Kamara
I've got Bradley Chubb going on PUP or IR to start the year. It just doesn't seem like he's close enough to being ready, such as Phillips appears to be. The rest of the group seems pretty set.
Linebackers (4): Jordyn Brooks, David Long, Jr., Anthony Walker, Jr., Channing Tindall
Tindall has made some plays in the preseason, particularly rushing the passer, which Miami needs plenty of help with early this season. Duke Riley, however, has not done as much and doesn't make the cut here.
Cornerbacks (7): Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Cam Smith, Kader Kohou, Ethan Bonner, Siran Neal, Nik Needham.
Miami's deepest unit, at least as far as guys who have played well enough this preseason to deserve spots. Storm Duck has played well enough such that he honestly deserves a roster spot, but unfortunately for him Neal and Bonner have been very good since the start of camp. Miami would be lucky at this point to sneak Duck onto the practice squad. Needham's versatility to play all over the secondary gives him the nod for the final spot.
Safeties (4): Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell
Patrick McMorris, who's had a nice preseason, just misses out here. I don't think Miami would keep five safeties in this scenario, as they have Needham as an option if they needed someone in a pinch. McMorris to the practice squad (unless he gets claimed, which is possible).
Specialists (3): Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Blake Ferguson
No competition for this group. Miami clearly has their guys here.
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