Dolphins’ 53-man roster projection: Undrafted rookies rising but injuries complicate decisions

Since training camp opened three weeks ago, the Dolphins have seen several developments that will reshape their 53-man roster. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey sustained a meniscus injury that will sideline him for a lengthy portion of the regular season. Young defensive backs Brandon Jones and Trill Williams have slowly returned to practice after tearing their ACL last year. And other injuries have surfaced that could linger for some time.

The injury to Ramsey is particularly of note for Miami with the Aug. 29 roster cutdown deadline just a few weeks away. In order for Ramsey to be eligible to return this season, he must be on the initial 53-man roster and then he can be placed on injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four games. The same applies for players like Needham and Conner who are on the physically-unable-to-perform list. While it limits initial roster flexibility, it allows potential contributors to make their way back to the field at some point.

After three weeks of training camp and one preseason game, here’s the Miami Herald’s projection of what the Dolphins’ 53-man roster will look like.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (2): Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White.

▪ On the bubble: Skylar Thompson.

▪ Skinny: This isn’t an indictment on Thompson, who struggled in the opener, as much as it is a reflection of the limited roster spots the Dolphins have. McDaniel said that Thompson would likely play before White in the second preseason game and a good showing could solidify his standing on the team. Either way, Miami would look to keep Thompson, whether it’s re-signing him to the active roster after the cutdown deadline or adding him to the practice squad.

Running backs (4): Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., De’Von Achane, Salvon Ahmed.

▪ On the bubble: Myles Gaskin, Chris Brooks.

▪ Skinny: No changes from the original projection but Brooks has played his way onto the bubble. Gaskin has made the decision for the fourth running back spot a bit more interesting after a 57-yard rushing performance in the opener.

Wide receiver (6): Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Robbie Chosen, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Braxton Berrios, Erik Ezukanma.

▪ On the bubble: River Cracraft, Braylon Sanders.

▪ Long shot: Chris Coleman, Daewood Davis, Keke Coutee

▪ Skinny: No wide receiver competing for the No. 3 spot distanced themselves in the opener but Ezukanma showed impressive skills in the open field on a pair of carries. Sanders’ lower-body injury further hurts his chances to crack the roster in what is already a stacked room. Cracraft could easily make the roster or be a practice squad addition called up on game days.

Tight end/fullback (4): Durham Smythe, Alec Ingold, Elijah Higgins, Tanner Conner (reserve/PUP).

▪ On the bubble: Eric Saubert, Tyler Kroft.

▪ Longshot: Julian Hill.

▪ Skinny: Saubert and Kroft were listed ahead of Higgins and Hill on the initial depth chart and played first in the opener. But neither did much to stand out, while Higgins showed flashes as a receiver. At this point, it’s fair to wonder whether Conner’s absence will stretch into the start of the regular season, which could force him to spend the first few weeks on the reserve/PUP list. Saubert and Kroft were late free-agent additions and could likely be re-signed after clearing waivers.

Offensive tackle (3): Terron Armstead, Austin Jackson, Kendall Lamm.

▪ On the bubble: Ryan Hayes, Cedric Ogbuehi, Kion Smith.

▪ Longshot: Geron Christian, James Tunstall.

▪ Skinny: Lamm has begun to separate himself as the top swing tackle option. Three tackles may seem light, but guards Robert Hunt and Isaiah Wynn can move outside if need be. Hayes had a good debut in the opener and could play his way into another reserve spot.

Interior offensive line (6): Connor Williams, Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg, Isaiah Wynn, Dan Feeney, Robert Jones.

▪ On the bubble: Lester Cotton.

▪ Longshot: Alama Uluave.

▪ Skinny: Wynn and Jones had good showings on Friday night and are pushing Eichenberg for the starting left guard spot.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (4): Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler, Raekwon Davis, Emmanuel Ogbah.

▪ On the bubble: Josiah Bronson, Jaylen Twyman, Brandon Pili, Da’Shawn Hand, Randy Charlton.

▪ Skinny: Though Ogbah is listed as a defensive end, he almost exclusively played as an outside linebacker in the opener. Miami signed Hand about a week ago and he played well in the opener, along with Bronson, Twyman and Pili, an undrafted rookie. All four are making cases to be on the roster but again, a numbers game could keep the position limited until a wave of post-cutdown deadline transactions frees a spot or two.

Outside linebacker (4): Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Andrew Van Ginkel, Malik Reed

▪ On the bubble: Mitchell Agude, Garrett Nelson, Cameron Goode.

▪ Skinny: Agude continues to make a strong case to be on the 53-man roster, recording one sack and two tackles for loss in the opener.

Inside linebacker (4): Jerome Baker, David Long Jr., Duke Riley, Channing Tindall.

▪ On the bubble: Aubrey Miller II.

▪ Longshot: Mike Rose.

▪ Skinny: Tindall was one of the standouts from the opener, a good sign for the second-year player who played sparingly as a rookie. His roster spot is already established because of special teams but his performance gives some reassurance about the inside linebacker depth.

Cornerback (8): Jalen Ramsey (IR), Xavien Howard, Kader Kohou, Noah Igbinoghene, Cam Smith, Eli Apple, Nik Needham (PUP), Keion Crossen (IR)

▪ On the bubble: Justin Bethel.

▪ Longshot: Tino Ellis, Ethan Bonner, Parry Nickerson, Jamal Perry.

▪ Skinny: Three of the projected eight corners making the roster are dealing with injuries that could keep them sidelined for some time, so there will be a lot of maneuvering after Aug. 29. McDaniel hasn’t given return timetables on either Needham or Crossen, but Needham has been seen working on the side just about every day of practice. A return could be close. Bethel could be a part of the roster cuts but quickly re-sign after clearing waivers and a roster spot opens.

Safety (5): Jevon Holland, Brandon Jones, DeShon Elliott, Elijah Campbell, Verone McKinley III.

▪ On the bubble: Keidron Smith, Trill Williams, Bryce Thompson.

▪ Skinny: The competition for the starting spot opposite Holland is wide open and Campbell, who has been a special teams standout, is making a case for defensive snaps. Smith, a coveted undrafted rookie, was impressive at both corner and safety against the Falcons. He’s pushing for a spot but could be at the mercy of a numbers crunch. The same goes for Williams, who did not play in the opener as the training staff brings him along slowly.

Specialists (3): Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Blake Ferguson.

▪ Skinny: The release of Michael Turk ended any questions about whether Bailey was the Dolphins’ top punter.