Which Miami Dolphins roster spots remain open?

Offensive Line

One of my articles wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the offensive line, so here we go. Like most position groups, the core players are pretty safe from being cut. Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley, Michael Deiter, Robert Hunt, and Jesse Davis started in their last preseason game and it would be a shock if any of those players didn’t find their way onto the 53 man roster. Though it is worth noting that the Miami Dolphins love to remain mysterious in their process. When Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre was asked what Michael Deiter had done to earn his confidence and the starting center role, this was his answer:

"“Deiter has worked really hard and he cares a lot and he’s had the opportunity to keep going with the first group. Now, by all means we are the Dolphins, so we keep things in house; the reason that we do things. I’ll tell you right now, Matt [Skura] has done a great job as well.” -Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre 8/23/2021 Presser"

Now, this likely doesn’t mean anything. It would be an interesting strategy to play one guy with the first team all of preseason only to make a switch before week one, but it isn’t completely unprecedented. Either way, we can feel pretty confident that the preseason starting five, along with 2021 second-round selection Liam Eichenberg are going to be safe from cuts. Last year, the Dolphins broke camp with nine offensive linemen.

That leaves three spots up for grabs most likely with Matt Skura, Cameron Tom, Robert Jones, Durval Queiroz Neto, Larnel Coleman, Greg Little, and Adam Pankey still on the roster. Pankey hasn’t had a good preseason, so he is likely back to the practice squad. That leaves three separate competitions: Skura vs Tom (center), Queiroz Neto vs Jones (guard) and Little vs Coleman (tackle). If I was a betting man, I would say Skura, Jones, and Little will be the primary backups along with Eichenberg to start the season.

Honorable Mention: running backs

The running back room is another one that isn’t completely settled. Gaskin and Brown are very likely to make this team. With a strong showing this preseason and training camp, Salvon Ahmed seems to have earned his place on the team as well. That leaves one more spot for Patrick Laird, Gerrid Doaks, and Jordan Scarlett. I would be surprised if Laird made the team, but Miami does tend to prefer players they have a history with. This final spot will probably come down to Doaks vs Scarlett.

Final Thoughts

Training camp and preseason are all about competition. There are hundreds of NFL players that have to scratch and claw for roster spots each summer. We are getting down to final cuts and the competition will only heat up further. There are still a number of players on the Miami Dolphins with an opportunity to make their NFL dreams a reality.

There are other spots on the roster with competition, but these seemed like the most eventful ones. Comment below and let me know which roster spot is most contested and which players you are pulling for!