The Miami Dolphins are set to play their final preseason game vs the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday evening. Head coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Greir are tasked with tough decisions to get the Miami Dolphins roster down to 53 men by Tuesday at 4PM EST. The 2024 season for the Dolphins was a huge disappointment. They missed the playoffs and had a losing record after four straight winning seasons. Needless to say, but this roster construction might be the most important roster of McDaniel’s and Grier’s careers as it is expected they are on thin ice with their job security. Below is a position-by-position breakdown, projecting the initial 53-man roster.
Predicting Offensive Players (24)
Quarterbacks (3)
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Zach Wilson
- Quinn Ewers
Unfortunately, because of Tua’s injury history the Miami Dolphins won’t have the luxury many other teams have of only keeping two QBs on their active roster. Hopefully they won’t need to play, but Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers should be better options as backup QBs over Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, and Tim Boyle
Running Backs (4)
- De’Von Achane
- Jaylen Wright
- Ollie Gordon II
- Alec Ingold
The Miami Dolphins have one the best running backs in the league in De’Von Achane. With Achane’s explosive speed he is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. With Achane’s own history of injuries, the Dolphins are likely to lean more on Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II this year. Gordon, who is a former Doak Walker Award winner, (awarded to the best college football running back) will likely take the brunt of Miami’s goal-line opportunities.
Wide Receivers (5)
- Tyreek Hill
- Jaylen Waddle
- Malik Washington
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
- Tahj Washington
Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle form arguably the NFL’s best WR duo. Malik Washington & Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are two strong 3rd and 4th options.
Tight Ends (4)
- Darren Waller
- Julian Hill
- Pharaoh Brown
- Tanner Conner
The 2025 Dolphins’ tight ends probably won’t see the amount of targets that Jonnu Smith saw in 2024, but if Darren Waller still has anything left in the tank, he could still be an excellent option for Tua, especially in the red zone.
Offensive Line (8)
- Patrick Paul (LT)
- Jonah Savaiinaea (LG)
- Arron Brewer (C)
- James Daniels (RG)
- Austin Jackson (RT)
- Larry Borom (T)
- Daniel Brunskill (G) or Kion Smith (T)
- Andrew Meyer (C)
- Liam Eichenberg (T/G/C) ((On PUP to start the season))
The Miami Dolphins will be rolling out three new starters on the offensive line this year. The Dolphins will need them to gel quickly if they are hoping for a fast start to the 2025 season. However, with Austin Jackson already missing time due to another injury, and Jonah Savaiinaea struggling in the preseason, the offensive line may look a little rough the first few weeks.
Predicting Defensive Players (26)
Defensive Tackles (5)
- Zach Sieler
- Kenneth Grant
- Benito Jones
- Jordan Phillips
- Zeek Biggers
Kenneth Grant and Zach Sieler will look to dominate on the interior of Miami’s defensive line. Jordan Phillips & Zeek Biggers, both rookies, along with Benito Jones will offer excellent rotation.
EDGE/Outside Linebackers (5)
- Jaelan Phillips
- Chop Robinson
- Bradley Chubb
- Matthew Judon
- Mohamed Kamara or Grayson Murphy
This is one of the toughest positions to predict. (as was defensive tackle with names like Matthew Butler & Matt Dickerson) Players like Derrick McLendon, Quinton Bell, and Cameron Goode all deserve roster spots.
If Phillips and Chubb can both stay healthy all year, paired with Chop (who may be better than the aforementioned) & Judon, this may easily be the best group of pass rushers in the entire league.
Linebackers (4)
- Jordyn Brooks
- Tyrel Dodson
- Willie Gay Jr
- K.J. Britt
This group of linebackers are already looking like the best linebacker unit the Dolphins have had in many years. Look for Willie Gay Jr to have the type of bounce back year that Zack Baun had in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cornerbacks (6)
- Storm Duck
- Jack Jones
- Kendall Sheffield
- Mike Hilton
- Jason Marshall Jr
- Ethan Bonner
Who would have thought that a only two years after the Miami Dolphins had perennial Pro Bowlers in Jalen Ramsey & Xavien Howard starting at their two outside cornerback spots the team would be starting 2024 undrafted free agent Storm Duck and either Jack Jones or Kendall Sheffield? Don’t be surprised at all if the Dolphins add another CB after Tuesday’s cut down deadline.
Safeties (6)
- Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Ashtyn Davis
- Patrick McMorris
- Elijah Campbell
- Donte Trader Jr
The Miami Dolphins welcome back their former first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick after moving on from Jevon Holland. This safety room is a major question mark for the Miami Dolphins. (as are the cornerbacks) The good news is, they can’t be any worse than the 2024 safeties Jevon Holland & Jordan Poyer.
Special Teams (3)
- Jason Sanders (PK)
- Jake Bailey (P)
- Joe Cardona (LS
Predicting the Practice Squad
Practice Squad (17)
- Dee Eskridge (WR)
- Theo Wease Jr (WR)
- Andrew Armstrong (WR)
- Erik Ezukanma (WR)
- Mike Boone (RB)
- Bayron Matos (T)
- Mohamed Kamara or Grayson Murphey (EDGE)
- Derrick McLendon (EDGE)
- Matthew Butler (DT)
- Matt Dickerson (DT)
- Ben Stille (DT)
- Quinton Bell (EDGE)
- Cameron Goode (EDGE)
- Eugene Asante (LB)
- Cameron Dantzler (CB)
- Chris Myarick (TE)
- Hayden Rucci (TE)
You don’t have a punt returner or kick off returner . Dee Eskeidge makes team as our return specialist
Malik Washington is the primary return specialist, but Tahj Washington, Ollie Gordon II, and probably some of the DBs can also return the ball.