Here we go. With veterans reporting to the Miami Dolphins training facility, the chase for a final 53-man roster spot will begin. While some veterans are easily going to make the roster, others may not be so lucky and could be looking for new homes soon.
So, who has the inside track to make this year's roster? Will there be another "Shaquil Barrett-type" surprise that leaves the team with a hole at a position? That's the fun part about camp. Anything can and typically does happen. Here is how we see the final roster playing out:
Quarterback - 2
Tua Tagovailoa is the lock of the roster and the only thing that is in question is whether or not he will practice if he doesn't have a new contract. The Dolphins are up against a wall on this one and all eyes, at least this week, will be on Tagovailoa taking the field or not.
Mike White - It would be much smarter for the Dolphins to keep Skylar Thompson and release White. They could find another practice squad QB to take over the emergency quarterback role if White doesn't clear waivers. Miami would save money they could use elsewhere, but the real point of this is simple. If the Dolphins lose Tagovailoa, neither White or Thompson will take the team to the playoffs. Might as well save money.
Special Teams - 3
Jake Bailey, Jason Sanders, and Blake Ferguson will enter camp with no competition and while that could change once camp gets underway, each of the team's specialists holds a job that only they can lose as there is nothing to win.
Running back - 5
Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, and Jaylen Wright are the locks to make the team. Alec Ingold will make the roster as well and while he is a fullback, he will be part of the five-man running back unit. This will leave one spot open on the roster.
Chris Brooks - If Brooks can stay healthy, he will make the team after showcasing his talent last year before being put on IR. With Brooks, the Dolphins get a different running style. The biggest challenge here will be Jeff Wilson Jr. Wilson is well respected by the team and the coaching staff. It will be a hard decision, but the Dolphins should go with youth.
With Salvon Ahmed starting camp on the PUP list, his chances of making the roster, already a long shot, are not looking good.
Wide receivers - 6
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Odell Beckham, Jr. are the locks at wide receiver. They are the best players on the unit and Hill may be the best player on the team. Miami knows what they have in these three, but the next three are going to be tough decisions.
Braxton Berrios - Berrios has value as a returner, and that gives him more of an edge in an otherwise tight race. He needs to run better routes in this system, but another year with McDaniel should help.
Malik Washington - Miami's 2024 sixth-round draft pick, is considered a steal by many in the industry, but he has to show it on the field. Washington has garnered attention from the media and the coaches through his off-season work, but he will make the team from what he does in training camp. He won't find making the team easy, but he has a better chance than anyone else after the top four.
River Cracraft - This will be a tight competition. Tahj Washington will start camp on the reserve list and that will pit Cracraft against Erik Ezukanma. Both are equally talented but on paper, Ezukanma may have more upside potential. Cracraft has been more reliable and consistent when he is on the field. The Dolphins have given Ezukanma time and now he has to take the next step. If he stays healthy, this will be one of the better competitions in camp this year.
Tight End - 3
Last season, the Dolphins kept two tight ends to start the season. This year, look for them to keep three, which should be about right. Durham Smythe and Jonnu Smith are both locks to make the team, barring injury, but the battle begins after that.
Jody Fortson - Fortson will have to prove that he is ready for the next step in his career. He was buried on the Chiefs depth chart, but he has potential and upside. Fortson should be better rounded for Miami's offense, but he will have to compete for his job, and his main competition will be Julian Hill. Hill played throughout the year last season, and while he still needs to develop, he too has a good future. He also is a better candidate for the practice squad.
Offensive Line - 9
Miami has to do better with their offensive line depth this year, but the problem they will face is having a line consisting of mostly cheap players they hope can do enough to keep the offense moving. Last year, Miami's line was just average and that was with Robert Hunt. They still don't have a replacement for Hunt just yet.
Austin Jackson, Terron Armstead, and Aaron Brewer are the absolutes for the roster. The veterans will hold the tackle and center positions. Liam Eichenberg will play the final year of his contract and his value will be the depth he provides at center and guard. He is hoping to challenge for a starting guard job but regardless, he should make the team without any problems.
Isaiah Wynn - Wynn will start camp on the reserve list with an injury designation, but it isn't presumed to be something that will keep him out of camp for a long period. Wynn should make the roster even if he does miss a lot of time. The veteran played well last year until being placed on IR.
Patrick Paul - The Dolphins drafted Paul in the second round last April. He is the future left tackle of the team.
Kendall Lamm - When Lamm was plugged in at left tackle for Armstead last year, he played well and he should provide the needed experience to keep Paul on the bench for the season.
Jack Driscoll - Driscoll will need to earn his roster spot with the Dolphins. Working in his favor is five seasons of NFL experience. The Dolphins have a lot of youth at the position, so Driscoll has to show he is not only better than them, but more valuable to the team as well.
Robert Jones - This one is going to be a tough call. If the Dolphins go with 10 linemen, Jones has no problem making the roster. He will be competing with Driscoll and Lester Cotton for the final two roster spots.
So, 28 offensive players and special team spots have filled half of the roster and the defense will take up the other half. It never quite works out to an even split, but with 25 players on offense, three on special teams, that means 25 spots are open on defense.
Safety - 4
Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer are the locks to make the team in 2024. Marcus Maye should also make the team. That gives the Dolphins three safeties. For Chris Grier, the decision to go with four people in the position will be tough. He drafted Patrick McMorris in Round 6, and while he could be a candidate for the practice squad, the Dolphins would need to expose him to waivers first. McMorris making the final 53 could come down to his special teams contributions.
Cornerback - 8
Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey will be the top two CBs on the Dolphins roster and will make the team, but the rest of the field is open for competition.
Kader Kohou - Kohou took a step back last year, but it wasn't a big one. He shouldn't have a problem making the 53 this year and the Dolphins are hoping he takes a big step forward.
Siran Neal - Neal isn't going to make the roster as a corner, but his special teams play is valuable and his NFL experience helps as well.
Nik Needham - Needham could make McMorris' spot obsolete if he cross-trains at safety. Having the skill to play both safety and corner will bolster his roster chances. He has quality experience in the NFL and will provide the Dolphins depth at the position.
Cam Smith - This is a big season for the second-year player. He has to show that Vic Fangio was the problem last season and not his attitude. If he doesn't make strides in 2024 or see the field, it will be a big red flag that could see him out of Miami next year, if not during the season.
Ethan Bonner - Bonner impressed his coaches last year with his work ethic and he showed signs of progressing. This is a big camp for the second-year player, but he has a good chance to make the team.
Elijah Campbell - Another player that could be cross-trained as a safety. Campbell has versatility and experience, and that should be plenty to get him on the 53.
Linebacker - 9
The Dolphins LB position took an unexpected hit when Shaquil Barrett announced he was retiring from the NFL after signing a free agent contract with Miami earlier in the offseason. The retirement leaves an unwanted hole for the Dolphins who will start the season without Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillps.
Chop Robinson, Mohamed Kamara, Jordyn Brooks, David Long, and Anthony Walker, Jr. are all locks to make the Dolphins 53. Miami is relying on them to not only make the team, but impact it. For Kamara and Robinson, they will need to step up quickly given the status of the Dolphins' unit.
Cam Brown - With five years of experience, Brown will give the Dolphins some much-needed depth. While not a lock, he will need to compete against some of the team's returning draft picks.
Channing Tindall - The Dolphins are not ready to give up on Tindall yet.
Duke Riley - Miami should replace Riley, but he continues to provide the team with depth and situational play. Riley does far better off the bench than he does as a starter.
Unsigned free agent - The Dolphins need to replace Barrett, which means they have to go to the street free agent list to find one. With Cameron Goode starting camp on the PUP list, the Dolphins need a veteran. The list isn't a great one, but Miami will have to bring a player in who will not only compete for a job, but also win one.
UPDATE: The Dolphins have reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Emmanuel Ogbah. The team parted ways with him in the offseason, but after hosting him for a workout, Chris Grier wasted no time in getting a reunion done.
Defensive Line - 5
Calais Campbell and Zach Seiler will take two of the five positions on the roster. Campbell is still playing at a good level, and the Dolphins believe that Seiler can and will continue his level of play without Christian Wilkins next to him.
Benito Jones - Jones looked good last year with the Lions, and his return to Miami with more experience should win him a roster spot.
Teair Tart - Tart has a lot of potential and it will be up to the coaches to get it out of him. He has experience and upside and should make an impact in camp.
Neville Gallimore - Gallimore and Tart will face stiff competition from Da'Shawn Hand and Jonathan Harris for what could be the final spot on the unit. The defensive line competition will be the best at training camp for any position.