The NFL’s roster deadline is 6 p.m. Eastern tonight, requiring teams to drop from the allocated 90-man preseason rosters to the 53-player regular-season limit. The cuts started yesterday all around the league, including with the Miami Dolphins who waived 12 players.
The Dolphins open the day with 78 players on the roster and need to make moves with at least 25 more. The focus is on the cuts, whether they are players being waived or released depends on service time for each individual, but there are other
options that can happen. Miami executed a trade yesterday, sending quarterback Quinn Ewers to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a draft pick, trimming one of the spots on the roster.
I predicted the Dolphins’ 53-man roster before the team’s game on Friday against the Jaguars. Today, we make one final projection before the 53-man roster is known.
Note: I am only projecting 52 players on the roster right now because I expect the Dolphins to cut Bradley Pinion. I left the roster spot open since they obviously need a punter. There are some other strange moves I made – like only keeping one quarterback – with explanations of why I made those decisions in each position group.
Miami Dolphins offense (24)
Quarterback (1)
Malik WillisQuinn Ewers – Traded to Jaguars 8/29
Cut: Cam Miller, Mark Gronowski
Changes: The Dolphins’ trade of Ewers.
In this projection, the Dolphins are only keeping one quarterback, not because that is realistic, but because I do not see them keeping either Miller or Gronowski. Maybe the do slide Miller onto the roster, then waive him once they make a waiver claim for someone who is cut by another team, but Miami’s second-string quarterback is not on the roster right now, and I am going to give the team one quarterback as they work to find the right player to backup Willis.
Running backs (4)
De’Von Achane
Jaylen Wright
Ollie Gordon II
Jarquez Hunter
Cut: Coleman Bennett (Waived 8/29), Donovan Edwards (Waived 8/29), Carlos Washington, Jr.
Changes: None
“That’s a good question,” head coach Jeff Hafley said on Saturday when asked if Miami would keep four tailbacks on the roster. “I think those are still some of the discussions going on, and I think that will clear up between today and tomorrow.” I think they will keep four. Otherwise, why did they trade for Hunter?
Fullbacks (1)
DJ Herman
Changes: Add Herman
I go back and forth on Herman. I am back to having him on the roster. I think he brings enough to the offense as a lead blocker and a pass protector that the coaches will want to keep him around. He could slide to the practice squad, then be elevated, but it feels like he is going to make the roster, even with the ugly dropped pass he had in the game on Friday.
Tight ends (3)
Greg Dulcich
Will Kacmarek
Ben Sims
Cut: Ethan Conner (Waived 8/29), Seydou Traore, Jeremiah Franklin
Changes: None.
This is where I am going to use the additional spot having one quarterback on the roster gives me. It feels like Sims is going to land on injured reserve, but teams are limited two players that can be directly placed on IR in the roster cuts, and those are going to be used elsewhere. I will keep Sims on the roster here, then place him on IR on Monday when the Dolphins need to create roster space for a quarterback. Conner (waived on Saturday), Traore, or Franklin could land on the practice squad, then be elevated for game day for the first few weeks of the season, giving Miami three tight ends and a fullback active for the games.
Offensive lineman (9)
Tackles
Patrick Paul
Austin Jackson
Caedan Wallace
Charlie Heck
Guards
Kadyn Proctor
Jonah Savaiinaea
DJ Campbell
Centers
Aaron Brewer
Andrew Meyer
Cut: Gottlieb Ayedze, Jim Bonifas, Kevin Cline (Waived 8/29), Marques Cox, James Ester, Josh Priebe
Changes: Add Heck; Cut Priebe
I have thought Priebe was going to make the roster as a reserve guard who also provides backup work as a center, a move that could lead to Meyer being cut. After Friday night, I think Priebe played himself off the roster and back to the practice squad for this year. With Priebe coming off the roster, I have the space to put Heck back on the 53.
Wide receivers (6)
Malik Washington
Caleb Douglas
Chris Bell
Kevin Coleman, Jr.
Jalen Tolbert
Jalen Reagor
Cut: AJ Henning, Donaven McCulley, Terrace Marshall, Jr., Ryan Miller, Theo Wease, Jr. (Waived 8/29)
Changes: None
I am not positive Tolbert is on the roster by the end of the day on Sunday because Miami could look for a trade partner. He played 24 snaps on Friday night, a high number given the Dolphins sat all of their starters and even Bell, the rookie who was making his debut after being cleared to return from an ACL tear he suffered last year, only played 14 snaps. He would be a good veteran presence in the group, but I am not sure he is in Miami’s plans, given their desire to give the rookies playing time to develop them for the future. Reagor is not a lock, but I have believed his special teams play, especially as a returner, keeps him on the roster and Friday reinforced that idea. Ryan Miller could be a bubble player who steals a roster spot. If the roster math gets ugly, keeping five receivers and having someone on the practice squad to elevate is an option as well.
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Miami Dolphins defense (26)
Defensive ends (5)
Chop Robinson
Josh Uche
Robert Beal, Jr.
Max Llewellyn
Clelin Ferrell
Cut: Cameron Goode, Seth Coleman-Lyles (Waived 8/29), Rodney McGraw, David Ojabo
Changes: Cut Goode
Goode falls back off the roster; I just do not think he has done enough to clinch a spot on the 53. Ferrell hangs on to a roster spot, but he has been dealing with an injury and he could be a consideration for another player who moves to IR on Monday.
Defensive tackle (5)
Zach Sieler
Jordan Phillips
Zeek Biggers
Matthew Butler
Keith Cooper, Jr.
Injured Reserve: Kenneth Grant
Cut: Alex Huntley (Waived 8/29), Fatorma Mulbah, Cam Rice (Waived 8/29)
Changes: Grant to IR; Add Cooper
I moved Butler onto the roster and pulled Mulbah off ahead of Friday’s game, and I think it was the right move. Moving Grant to one of the two direct-to-IR slots opens a roster spot, with Cooper sliding into it. If you want to swap out Cooper and Mulbah, I think that is fine as well. They are both probably practice squad players, but in this scenario I have Cooper on the roster until Grant is healthy. Then the Dolphins can waive Cooper and have him join Mulbah on the practice squad.
Linebackers (7)
Jordyn Brooks
Jacob Rodriguez
Tyrel Dodson
Kyle Louis
Ronnie Harrison, Jr.
Willie Gay, Jr.
Jackson Woodard
IR: Trey Moore
Cut: Stephen Dix, Jr. (Waived 8/29), Cam Riley, Jaheim Thomas (Waived 8/29)
Changes: Add Woodard
I am very heavy at linebacker when you just look at seven names on the roster, but there is some method to it. The group has already had some injury concerns with Brooks and Dodson, plus Moore landing on IR, leading to a need for a deeper group. Louis is listed as a linebacker by the Dolphins, but he has also been working as a safety, which may be where he settles in for this year. Gay is probably the wildcard in the group – it would not be a surprise if he were cut, but for now I have him making the team. As I said on the last projection, the team needs to find a way to keep Woodard, either on the roster or on the practice squad. In this projection, I protect him by moving him to the 53. Dodson could be trade bait if someone wants to add a veteran.
Cornerbacks (5)
Chris Johnson
JuJu Brents
Jason Marshall, Jr.
Ethan Bonner
A.J. Green III
Physically Unable to Perform list: Darrell Baker, Jr., Storm Duck
Cuts: Alex Austin (Waived 8/29), Miles Battle, Ahmari Harvey, Jai’Onte McMillan, Marco Wilson
Changes: None
I know there will be comments about Bonner making the team, but I think he is almost a lock unless something shocking happens today. This is an area where plenty of roster churn could happen as waiver claims are processed on Monday. Several of these cut players will likely be brought back to the practice squad as well.
Safeties (4)
Dante Trader, Jr.
Zayne Anderson
Michael Taaffe
Major Burns
Cuts: Lonnie Johnson, Jr., Louis Moore (Waived 8/29)
Changes: None
I have been consistent with this position, listing Burns as the fourth safety on all three projections. I did say in Friday’s version that Burns was not a lock for the roster. I think now he is. I think these four – plus linebacker Louis – are the safeties for Week 1.
Special Teams (2)
Long Snapper (1)
Tucker Addington
Changes: None
Kicker (1)
Riley Patterson
Changes: None
Punter (0)
Cut: Bradley Pinion
Changes: Cut Pinion.
Obviously, the Dolphins will have a punter, but I do not think it is in Pinion. I will project he is cut here, leaving the roster spot open for whoever the team might bring in. If I could pick anyone who might be available, I would be bringing Matt Haack back to Miami – but the Patriots would need to cut him today for that to happen. Whatever the case, I expect a change here.
