Miami Dolphins roster projection 2024: Resetting 53-man depth after preseason finale
TAMPA - The Miami Dolphins lost the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-14 in a NFL preseason game on Friday at Raymond James Stadium.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Washington and rookie running back Jaylen Wright shined, providing optimism from an otherwise lackluster, mundane and mostly pointless night.
With cut-downs due on Tuesday at 4 p.m., it's the perfect time to drop my fifth and final 53-man roster projection and depth chart prediction.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel must choose the best roster to allow Miami to win a playoff game for the first time since 2000.
Miami could surely still add a veteran interior offensive lineman or defensive tackle before the kickoff to the 2024 NFL season.
A Dolphins' 53-man roster projection and depth chart prediction:
Quarterbacks (2)
Tua Tagovailoa, Skylar Thompson
Thompson outperformed veteran Mike White on Friday night. And he was slightly better than White this summer. Thompson has a stronger arm, is more athletic, and costs less. The Dolphins released White Sunday morning.
Wide Receivers (6)
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Odell Beckham, Jr., Malik Washington, Erik Ezukanma
Seventh rounder Tahj Washington is already out for the season. Odell Beckham needs to practice before he can play. Will he practice this week? Nobody would be stunned if he's not added to the active roster on Tuesday. Malik Washington is added back here to replace injured River Cracraft.
Running Backs (5)
Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson, Chris Brooks
It's certainly possible Miami keeps only four backs, with Wilson or Brooks off the initial 53. In fact it's as likely they keep four as it is they keep five. But we'll keep five.
Fullback (1)
Alec Ingold
Pro Bowler.
Offensive Line (9)
Terron Armstead, Austin Jackson, Kendall Lamm, Aaron Brewer, Robert Jones, Patrick Paul, Jack Driscoll, Liam Eichenberg, Lester Cotton
Miami could very well add a veteran guard before the season starts. Wynn has been completely absent and it's hard to say he'll be ready for the season. Lester Cotton makes the roster, assuming Wynn is not ready. Or they'll add a veteran. Kion Smith (ACL) is unfortunately out for the season.
Tight end (3)
Durham Smythe, Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill
Tanner Conner and/or Jody Fortson to practice squad. We're calling Hill the most under-the-radar Dolphins player of the moment.
Defensive Line (6)
Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Benito Jones, Da'Shawn Hand, Jonathan Harris, Brandon Pili
In this scenario, Neville Gallimore, Isaiah Mack and Daviyon Nixon don't make the cut. Teair Tart has been cut. We've added Pili back to the 53, though this is a tough one. Jones has been hurt and we don't know if he'll be ready for the season opener.
Linebacker/Edge (8)
Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, Mo Kamara, David Long, Jordyn Brooks, Emmanuel Ogbah, Quinton Bell, Duke Riley
In this scenario, Bradley Chubb begins the season on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he'd miss at least the first four games. Channing Tindall just fails to make the cut here. Riley is added as a core special teamer. Anthony Walker has been hurt, so he's off for now.
Cornerback (6)
Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Siran Neal, Ethan Bonner
In this scenario, Bonner beats out Nik Needham make the 53. Needham certainly could make the roster ahead of, for example, a fifth running back.
Safety (4)
Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell
Patrick McMorris is a draft pick and he's played well, though he is hurt at the moment. He's squeezed in this scenario after the addition of Marcus Maye. But McMorris could certainly make the cut. Campbell and Neal can all play corner and safety.
Special Teams (3)
Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Blake Ferguson
Bailey will work to improve in 2024. He had a perfect line drive kickoff on Saturday.
Schad column Miami Dolphins: What we learned this summer
Rookie Report Card How did Malik Washington, Patrick Paul grade at Tampa Bay?
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins depth chart roster prediction Joe Schad
