A closer look at Miami Dolphins 1st depth chart

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The Miami Dolphins and Joe Philbin kept yesterday’s promise that the first official depth chart would be released today. It was. The Dolphins face the Washington Redskins this Sunday in their first regular season game of 2015.

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With so many changes this off-season many wonder exactly what the year has in store for the team. Expectations are rising towards the roof and national media attention continues to grow. Expectations for the Dolphins has not been this high since the 2009 season. Heading into 2009 the Dolphins were coming off a playoff appearance and a division title but the hype was never realized as the Dolphins continued to run wild with the Wild Cat formation. Ultimately the season was practically over by the time the playoff push came around.

This year feels different. The Dolphins have spent in free agency and for the first time in a very long time have invested in their own players as well. With the release of the first depth chart we will get our first look at the new faces and the returning players that Miami has invested their future in.

Here is our look at the Miami Dolphins first depth chart.

Offense

Quarterback – No surprises here. Ryan Tannehill is the starter, Matt Moore the back-up, and newly acquired Logan Thomas is the 3rd string.

Running back – Lamar Miller is primed for another 1,000 yard season and this year he will again be backed up by Damien Williams and then LaMike James ( yes it says LaMike on the official depth chart). Where Jay Ajayi fits in when he gets back will be interesting but for now he is on the six week IR.

TE – Does it really matter where they are? Jordan Cameron is the starter in single TE sets while Dion Sims starts in two tight end sets. There are only two TE’s on the active roster.

WR – This gets fun. Despite a lot of talk of Rishard Matthews jumping over Kenny Stills, it’s “still” Stills who is up front on the depth chart. In reality it doesn’t mean much as both should see a lot of playing time. Jarvis Landry will once again start in the slot as expected and Greg Jennings gets the nod over recently returned from injury DeVante Parker. The more Parker plays the more likely he will jump ahead of Jennings. Expect plenty of both on Sunday. Matt Hazel who earned his spot on the roster is slotted as the number slot receiver behind Landry.

RT – Ja’Wuan James is the starting right tackle and we knew that coming in. He is backed up by Jeff Linkenbach. Linkenbach had a decent but not great off-season but he is capable of coming off the bench if need be.

RG – Jamil Douglas gets the 1st team over Billy Turner. This is not a big surprise as Turner has been struggling over the last few weeks and Douglas has looked much better at times. The concerning issue here is that the Dolphins are starting a rookie from the 4th round, have Branden Albert returning from an ACL injury and Dallas Thomas who spent the last two seasons as a door greeter at Walmart for incoming defensive ends and tackles.

Center – Mike Pouncey returns to his position after spending a year at right guard. Where he made the pro-bowl. The interesting point here is that Jacques McClendon is his back-up and not Sam Brenner but we already knew that after Brenner was released and signed to the practice squad.

Left Guard – Dallas Thomas earned the opportunity to start. He had a very good pre-season and camp but now it’s time to show that he can do it when it counts, consistently against the number one defensive players and not just for a few series. Behind him the Dolphins have slotted Billy Turner who now is the number two guard at both positions.

Left Tackle – As expected Albert gets the top spot with Jason Fox behind him.

Continue to read for the defensive side of the ball.

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