Final 53 Miami Dolphins roster predictions with surprises
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are still a day away from their final pre-season game and some veterans will continue to see play in the hopes of making a final push for a roster spot.
Following this weeks final exhibition game the Dolphins will, like all NFL teams, clear almost half of their roster. Teams must get to their regular season 53 man roster on Saturday, Sept. 2. This means that teams will trim from 90 to 53 in one day. Previously a second cut was held from 90 to 75.
For the Dolphins, some decisions will be a lot tougher than were expected. Here is a look position by position of who will make the 53 man team initially and who will be the surprises of this weekend. Following cuts on Saturday teams will begin to fill in their practice squad on Sunday with ten additional players. Those players are not in this prediction.
Quarterback: Could Matt Moore be released? It’s not likely. His play in pre-season, especially in week three was not good but Moore still has value to the team and far more experience than Brandon Doughty or David Fales. Releasing him would save only $775, 000 while the team would carry $1.3 million in dead money. Those wondering out loud if Moore could be swapped for Colin Kaepernick…don’t waste your time. Kaepernick wants a starting QB salary.
Predictions: Jay Cutler and Matt Moore
Outside chance: David Fales but only if Moore is released
Cut: Brandon Doughty, David Fales
Running Back: Jay Ajayi is the workhorse and Kenyan Drake is starting to get his NFL legs. In week three pre-season Damien Williams looked flat but the Dolphins will likely hold on to him for now. Adam Gase told media last week that Miami could be in the market for a free agent running back after final roster cuts. This is important because if the Dolphins do go that route, then Williams’ future in Miami could be in question. Miami would save $1.7 million in cap space and carry no dead money if Williams is released. This is a real possibility come Saturday.
Senorise Perry, De’Veon Smith, and Storm Johnson are all outsiders looking in.
Predictions: Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, Damien Williams (for now),
Outside: Someone not on the roster.
Cut: De’Veon Smith, Senorise Perry, Storm Johnson