{"id":66571,"date":"2019-06-08T11:38:15","date_gmt":"2019-06-08T15:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=66571"},"modified":"2021-03-14T15:47:12","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T19:47:12","slug":"miami-dolphins-roster-projection-2-0-post-minicamp-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/06\/08\/miami-dolphins-roster-projection-2-0-post-minicamp-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami Dolphins Roster Projection 2.0: Post-Minicamp Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Miami Dolphins<\/a> mandatory minicamps are officially in the books. With the team beginning their quest to return to the playoffs, let\u2019s take a look at who has the best chance to make it to Week One in the latest Dolphins roster projection.<\/p>\n

Dolphins Roster Projection 1.0<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Miami Dolphins Roster Projection 2.0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Quarterback (2)<\/h3>\n

In: <\/em>Ryan\u00a0Fitzpatrick, Josh Rosen<\/p>\n

No surprise here, as Ryan Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/strong> and Josh Rosen<\/a><\/strong> are easily the two best passers on the roster. Fitzpatrick is currently the favorite<\/a> for the starting job, as the longtime NFL veteran is reportedly putting on a clinic in off-season practices. However, he\u2019s also had an extra month to learn the playbook, so the job isn\u2019t his quite yet.<\/p>\n

Even if Fitzpatrick starts the season under center, look for Rosen to take the job shortly thereafter. Fitzpatrick typically comes out of the gate on fire before dramatically cooling off with more playing time. Rosen has the chance to be the future, and Miami will want to see what he can do in their offense.<\/p>\n

Running Back (5)<\/h3>\n

In: <\/em>Kenyan\u00a0Drake, Kalen Ballage, Myles Gaskin, Chandler Cox, Kenneth Farrow<\/p>\n

Kenyan Drake<\/a><\/strong> is still the starter, but don\u2019t expect him to earn a full workload under Brian Flores<\/strong>. Flores and offensive coordinator Chad O\u2019Shea<\/strong> come from the New England Patriots School of Running Back Committees, so Kalen Ballage<\/a><\/strong> should see a decent chunk of the work.<\/p>\n

Myles Gaskin<\/strong><\/a> has a redundant skill set but provides plenty of value as injury insurance. Chandler Cox<\/strong> should be a Day One starter and O\u2019Shea will probably try to utilize him in a similar manner to Patriots fullback James Develin<\/a><\/strong>. Kenneth Farrow<\/a> <\/strong>earns the final spot after an impressive run in the short-lived AAF. Patrick Laird<\/strong> has an outside shot to steal the final spot away from Farrow, while Mark Walton<\/a><\/strong> is simply here to take carries. If he makes the team, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.<\/p>\n

Wide Receiver (6)<\/h3>\n

In: <\/em>Kenny\u00a0Stills, DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson, Brice Butler, Preston Williams, Jakeem Grant<\/p>\n

Albert Wilson<\/a><\/strong> is still recovering from his hip injury but should be ready to go for the start of training camp. With Wilson out of the picture, DeVante Parker<\/a><\/strong> has gone through his annual June dominance and should earn a spot on the roster. Kenny Stills<\/a> <\/strong>rounds out the locks and it\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess who earns the final three spots.<\/p>\n

For now, the honors go to Brice Butler<\/a>, Preston Williams, <\/strong>and Jakeem Grant<\/a><\/strong>. Butler\u2019s pretty underwhelming but at least flashed some potential with Dallas. Undrafted free agent Preston Williams has reportedly impressed in minicamp and should win a spot on a weak depth chart. Jakeem Grant\u2019s special team prowess earns him the final nod.<\/p>\n

Tight End (3)<\/h3>\n

In: <\/em>Mike Gesicki, Dwayne Allen, Durham Smythe<\/p>\n

No changes from the last projection. Mike Gesicki<\/a><\/strong> and Dwayne Allen<\/a><\/strong> are locked in as the top two options, while Durham Smythe<\/a><\/strong> battles with Nick O\u2019Leary, Clive Walford<\/a><\/strong>, and Chris Myarick<\/strong> for the final spot on the roster. The preseason will ultimately decide who takes home the TE3 job.<\/p>\n

Offensive Line (9)<\/h3>\n

In: <\/em>Laremy\u00a0Tunsil, Michael Deiter, Daniel Kilgore, Jesse Davis, Zach Sterup, Chris Reed, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Isaiah Prince, Connor Hilland,<\/p>\n

The Dolphins released Isaac Asiata<\/a> <\/strong>from the injured reserve, so it\u2019s safe to say he won\u2019t make the roster. Michael Deiter<\/strong><\/a> has reportedly impressed in camp and should have the inside spot to the starting guard positon. Joining him on the starting offensive line are Laremy Tunsil<\/a>, Daniel Kilgore<\/a>, Jesse Davis<\/a><\/strong>, and Zach Sterup<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Chris Reed<\/a><\/strong> is now the top interior option while Jaryd Jones-Smith<\/strong><\/a> and Isaiah Prince<\/strong><\/a> battle for the swing tackle position. Due to the important nature of the role and Miami\u2019s relative uncertainty at tackle, both players make the cut. Connor Hilland<\/strong> earns the final spot on the depth chart.<\/p>\n

Defensive Line (9)<\/h3>\n

In:<\/em> Jonathan Woodard, Christian Wilkins, Davon Godchaux, Charles Harris, Tank Carradine, Akeem Spence, Kendrick Norton, Vincent Taylor, Joey Mbu<\/p>\n

Jonathan Woodard<\/a><\/strong> gets the first crack at replacing Cameron Wake<\/a><\/strong> on the edge. Charles Harris<\/a><\/strong> hasn\u2019t played up to his athletic potential, but Brian Flores reportedly loves what he sees from him. Christian Wilkins<\/strong><\/a> should be a Day One starter on the interior while Davon Godchaux<\/a> <\/strong>fills out the starting line.<\/p>\n

Tank Carradine<\/a><\/strong> is similar to Harris in that he\u2019s a low-risk, high-reward player. However, unlike Harris, there hasn\u2019t been much praise thrown his way. Akeem Spence<\/a><\/strong> is still a valuable backup while Kendrick Norton, Vincent Taylor<\/a>, <\/strong>and Joey Mbu<\/a> <\/strong>take the final depth spots. The back end of this projection is especially difficult to predict, as there isn\u2019t much separating the final names from a guy like Jamiyus Pittman<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Linebacker (6)<\/h3>\n

In:<\/em> Kiko Alonso, Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker, Quentin Poling, Mike Hull, Andrew Van Ginkel<\/p>\n

Kiko Alonso<\/a>, Raekwon McMillan<\/a><\/strong>, and Jerome Baker<\/a><\/strong> are the presumed starters, but nothing is guaranteed at this point of the season. Quentin Poling<\/strong> should see time off the edge while Mike Hull<\/a><\/strong> helps solidify the defensive interior. Fifth-round rookie Andrew Van Ginkel<\/strong> is already earning time in sub packages and could easily outplay his draft stock.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not in this projection, but keep an eye out for Terrill Hanks<\/strong>. The undrafted free agent has reportedly impressed in minicamp and could see a bigger role in training camp and the preseason. If he continues to impress, he could easily be a cost-effective replacement for one of the depth veterans.<\/p>\n

Cornerback (6)<\/h3>\n

In: <\/em>Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain, Eric Rowe, Jalen Davis, Cordrea Tankersley, Montre Hartage<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s defense runs through the secondary, and that starts with Xavien Howard<\/a><\/strong>. Howard is one of the better young corners in the league and should only improve with age. Bobby McCain<\/a><\/strong> can hold down the CB2 job while Eric Rowe<\/a><\/strong> is primed for a bounce-back season. Jalen Davis<\/a><\/strong> and Cordrea Tankersley<\/a><\/strong> will play in case of injury while undrafted free agent Montre Hartage<\/strong> is continuing to impress in minicamps.<\/p>\n

Safety (4)<\/h3>\n

In:<\/em> Minkah Fitzpatrick, T.J. McDonald, Walt Aikens, Maurice Smith<\/p>\n

Brian Flores clearly doesn\u2019t want Reshad Jones<\/a><\/strong> and his $17.1 million cap hit on the team, so they\u2019ll find a way to get rid of him before Week One. This leaves Minkah Fitzpatrick<\/a> <\/strong>as the top safety, and the hyper-athletic second-year player should be a superstar in Flores\u2019 scheme. T.J. McDonald<\/strong><\/a> will see the field on running downs while Walt Aikens<\/a><\/strong> will serve as a poor mans\u2019 Fitzpatrick. Maurice Smith<\/a><\/strong> earns a spot for his special teams prowess, but he could easily miss the cut.<\/p>\n

Specialists (3)<\/h3>\n

In:<\/em> Matt Haack, Jason Sanders, John Denney<\/p>\n

Matt Haack<\/a>, Jason Sanders<\/a><\/strong>, and John Denney<\/a><\/strong> are the only players at their positions on the roster. Not much competition here.<\/p>\n

Dolphins Roster Projection 1.0<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>