While position battles and roster spots are still very unsettled, this greater picture of performance, injuries, and cuts allows means we’re able to post our 3rd roster projection of the pre-season.

MDD Lead Editor: Eric Galko

Quarterbacks
1. Ryan Tannehill
2. Matt Moore
3/PUP. David Garrard
3/PS. Pat Devlin

NOTES
The only real question mark here is at the #3 spot for the quarterback position. Basically, will the team carry one? With David Garrard likely out for the early part of the year, is he worth PUPing now and cutting another player later? And as for Pat Devlin, Joe Philbin’s offeneses have never carried more than 2 quarterbacks, and he’s eligible for the practice squad. My guess is that one of them is carried.

Running Backs
1. Reggie Bush
2. Daniel Thomas
3. Lamar Miller
4. Steve Slaton
FB/5. Jorvorskie Lane

MISSED: Marcus Thigpen

NOTES:
Odds are, this is as safe of a prediction as we’ll get of any position. They won’t be carrying more than 5 total running backs, and Jorvorskie Lane has already been a lock at fullback. Marcus Thigpen is an exciting player I’d like to keep, but he doesn’t offer much that Lamar Miller and Steve Slaton don’t.

Wide Receivers
1. Davone Bess
2. Legadu Naanee
3. Brian Hartline
4. Roberto Wallace
5. Jeff Fuller
6. Rishard Matthews

MISSED: Marlon Moore, BJ Cunningham, Chris Hogan

NOTES:
Won’t dwell too much on this, but with Julius Pruitt gone, it opened up that #6 spot once again. Despite the fact that Naanee has been very bad in camp and Brian Hartline has been missing, both are likely making the team. Roberto Wallace has flashed enough to make the team, and the coaching staff has liked Jeff Fuller thus far. It came down to Matthews, Marlon Moore, and BJ Cunningham with the last spot (Hogan to be practice squaded), and I went with Matthews because I feel he’s the most talented of the trio.

Tight Ends
1. Anthony Fasano
2. Charles Clay
3. Michael Egnew

MISSED: Jeron Mastrud

NOTES:
It’s been made pretty clear that tight ends will be a substantial part to this offense, and thus far, they haven’t really exceeded expectations. Fasano is the clear cut starter for now, as he’s been the most consistent in camp. But the Dolphins know that to reach their ceiling as a passing offense, Charles Clay and/or Michael Egnew needs to step up. Clay is the likely “step-up” candidate and played well at times last year.

Offensive Line
LT. Jake Long
LG. Richie Incognito
OC. Mike Pouncey
RG. Artis Hicks
RT. Jonathan Martin
6. Lydon Murtha (OT)
7. Josh Samuda (OG/OC)
8. John Jerry (OG)

MISSED: Nate Garner, Andrew McDonald, , Will Barker, Ryan Cook, Ray Feinga

NOTES:
Jake Long’s most recenty “tweaking” of an injury is worrisome, but outsid eof that, the lineup is set on the offensive line. Hicks is obviously the weakest link on the offensive line, but John Jerry hasn’t done enough to earn that spot. With Murtha being able to play both tackle spots, it’s unlikely they take antoher tackle, but Garner is the most worthwhile of the players remaining because he can play RG and RT.

Defensive Line
NT. Paul Soliai
DT. Randy Starks
DE. Cameron Wake
DE. Jared Odrick
5. Oliver Vernon (DE)
6. Tony McDaniel (DT/DE)
7. Derrick Shelby (DE)
8. Kheeston Randall (NT/DT)

MISSED: Jamaal Westerman, Ryan Baker, Jarrell Root, Isaako Aaituui

NOTES:
The top six on the defensive line have been set since before camp starter, and luckly, when they are all in action, they’ve been adequate. Derrick Shelby has certainly earned his spot on this team, and may get more time than Oliver Vernon to start out. Kheeston Randall is the only defenisve linemen I’d feel comfortable playing NT if Paul Soliai goes down on this current roster.

Linebackers
MLB. Karlos Dansby
SLB. Kevin Burnett
WLB. Koi Misi
4. Gary Guyton (MLB/SLB)
5. Josh Kaddu (OLB)
6. Jason Trusnik (OLB)
7. Austin Spitler (MLB)

MISSED: Cameron Collins, Jonathan Freeny, Shelly Lyons

NOTES:
As much as Koi Misi and Gary Guyton annoy me in coverage and with their indecisiveness, they are both set as the WLB and first LB off the bench. Josh Kaddu hasn’t shown much this camp, but he’s talented and versatile enough to let develop. Jason Trusnik has been been very active, but is a bit of a liability in space. And Austin Spitler seems like the clear cut #2 ILB despite him lacking ideal NFL skills that the team needs.

Cornerbacks
1. Sean Smith
2. Richard Marshall
3. Nolan Carroll
4. Quinten Lawrence
5. Vince Agnew

MISSED: Kevyn Scott

NOTES:
The team has made clear that Sean Smith, Richard Marshall, and Nolan Carroll are who the team is trusting for the future after the Vontae Davis trade. And while Marshall has been just okay, Carroll has been very good and Smith has been near shutdown level this pre-season. I don’t trust Quinten Lawrence or Vince Agnew as dime cornerbacks, but it looks like safety Jimmy Wilson will be filling that role if need be.

Safeties
FS. Reshad Jones
SS. Chris Clemons
3. Jimmy Wilson
4. Tyron Culver
5. Anderson Russell

NOTES:
With just five safeties remaining after the first round of cuts, I think this is the crew they want to go with for the regular season. I’ve never been an Anderson Russell fan, but after cutting Tyrell Johnson, he seems like the man for the 5th safety job.

Specialists
Kicker: Dan Carpenter
Punter: Brandon Fields
Long Snapper: John Denney

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