Dolphins 2017 pre-camp 53 man roster prediction
By Brian Miller
The Mami Dolphins are set to open training camp later this month with the first practice scheduled to be held on July 27th. A month later the team will start making the final roster moves that will bring them to the league mandated 53.
It’s early we know but precting the final 53 is an annual attempt, most often far from the actual final roster. Well, not really, typically the top 40 are pretty much set but the final 13 can cause your head to swirl.
We know that, barring injury of course, certain players are going to make the roster so those will be listed first.
Definite
Offense
QB: Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore
RB: Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake
WR: DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills,
TE: Julius Thomas, Anthony Fasano
OL: Mike Pouncey, Ja’Wuan James, Laremy Tunsil, Jermon Bushrod
Defense
DL: Ndamukong Suh, Jordan Phillips,
DE: Cameron Wake, Andre Branch, William Hayes, Charles Harris
LB: Raekwon McMillan, Kiko Alonso, Lawrence Timmons
CB: Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard, Tony Lippett, Cordrea Tankersley
S: Reshad Jones, Nate Allen, Michael Thomas (T.J. McDonald will not take a roster spot due to suspension)
Special Teams
Johne Denney, Andrew Franks, Matt Daar
Total 31
Likely but not 100% guaranteed
Offense
RB: Damien Williams,
WR: Leonte Carroo, Jakeem Grant,
TE: Marquies Gray
OL: Ted Larsen, Isaac Asiata, Sam Young, Kraig Urban, Anthony Steen
Defense
DE: Terrence Fede,
LB: Neville Hewitt, Mike Hull,
CB: Jordan Lucas, Bobby McCain, Lafayette Pitts,
S: Walt Aikens
Total: 16: 47/53
Final six spots predictions:
Offense:
WR: Rashawn Scott
Defense:
DE: Julius Warmsley
DT: Davin Godchaux, Vincent Taylor,
LB: Trevor Reilly, Koa Misi (Health is a big factor and he hasn’t been cleared to practice yet)
S: A.J. Hendy
Total: 6 – 53/53
Notables who just miss:
I like the competition between Drew Morgan, Isaiah Ford, and Rashawn Scott. Leonte Carroo should be on this competition list as well but I don’t think the Dolphins cut the investment just yet. Miami has some talent at WR but they can’t keep them all and it’s unlikely that any of these three will make it to the practice squad without being claimed by someone else if they are released.
Thomas Duarte is in a log jam at tight-end and the Dolphins like Gray more so Duarte could be heading back to the PS to start the season.
Nick Williams is a hard one to leave off the final 53 but I can’t see the Dolphins cutting either of their DT draft picks.
Koa Misi is making the final 53 in this prediction but honestly I’m not sure he doesn’t get released due to injury issues. The Dolphins should not have redone his contract this off-season with any amount of guaranteed money. They still don’t know if they will see him back on the field this year.