Either-or decisions for Dolphins roster
Player count must be cut to 53 on Saturday
The Miami Dolphins have a few tough decisions to make as the Saturday cuts from the 90-player training camp roster to the 53-man regular-season roster approaches, and this week’s practices and final preseason game could swing a vote or two on several units.
One of the main criticisms about last year’s Dolphins was that the roster lacked depth. That seemed to be addressed until the Dolphins lost four starters to season-ending injuries this month, and now Miami’s executives find themselves scrambling to fill those holes.
Here is a look at eight battles heading into Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, which will likely decide what players make it onto Miami’s 53-man roster or practice squad, and whose stay in South Florida comes to an end:
Final two spots on offensive line — Jake Brendel, Isaac
Asiata or Eric Smith: If the Dolphins decide to carry nine offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, the final two spots will come down to Brendel, a backup center, Asiata, this year’s fifth-round pick who so far has sturggled at guard, and
Smith, a reserve offensive tackle. Smith has been the most impressive of those three, but they’ll also be competing with linemen Miami could find on the waiver wire.
Punter — Matt Darr or Matt Haack:
This is the most competitive position battle the Dolphins have. Haack, a rookie from Arizona State, is averaging 43.0 net yards and 45.8 yards on 10 punts during the preseason. Darr, Miami’s punter for the past two years, is averaging 34.5 net yards and 44.2 yards on nine preseason punts, but one of those was blocked because of an early snap by rookie Winston Chapman. Going with Haack could save the Dolphins some money, but is it worth losing Darr’s experience?
Fifth defensive tackle — Nick Williams or Julius Warmsley:
Vincent Taylor, this year’s sixthround pick, should safely make it onto the 53-man roster because of how well he’s performed in the preseason (nine tackles). Williams and Warmsley, who both spent most of last season with the Dolphins, have been decent, but not spectacular. Warmsley has practice squad eligibility left, Williams does not.
Reserve defensive end — Terrence Fede, Cameron Malveaux or Praise MartinOguike:
During the exhibition games Fede has contributed six tackles and one quarterback hurry in mop-up duty. His main competition for the last defensive end spot on the 53-man roster is Malveaux, who has recorded six tackles (three for loss) and one hurry, and MartinOguike. However, Malveaux and Martin-Oguike are both undrafted rookies and are realistic options for the practice squad.
Reserve linebacker — Trevor Reilly, Chase Allen or Deon Lacey:
Miami needs one or two more linebackers on the 53-man roster, and any linebacker kept needs to be a strong special teams contributor. Reilly could make it onto the 53-man roster because of his special teams contributions, but the Dolphins need a player with more upside. After an impressive three-year stint as a CFL standout, Lacey joined the Dolphins this spring, but hasn’t been impressive. His performance in the Baltimore game drastically hurt his chances. Allen, an undrafted rookie from Southern Illinois, deserves a practice squad look.
Backup safety — Jordan Lucas, A.J. Hendy or Maurice Smith:
A former Penn State defensive back the Dolphins selected in the sixth round of the 2016 draft, Lucas struggled to contribute as a nickel cornerback or safety last season. Miami moved him to safety full-time during camp, but he’s barely made an impact on defense or special teams. Good thing he still has practice squad eligibility. Smith spent a week working with the second-team defense, which indicates that he has some upside. Hendy, who spent most of last season on Miami’s practice squad, could benefit from another year of being developed.
Sixth receiver — Drew Morgan or Damore’ea Stringfellow:
Morgan, an undrafted rookie from Arkansas, impressed Miami’s coaches as the backup slot receiver during organized team activities, but disappeared when the pads came on. He’s still running with the second team, but has only caught one pass for 5 yards in three games. Stringfellow leads the Dolphins with four receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown, but most of that came off his 99-yard touchdown in the preseason opener against Atlanta. Both are practice squad options unless Miami decides to carry a sixth receiver on the roster, or finds something better in free agency.
Sixth cornerback — Lafayette Pitts or Torry McTyer:
Alterraun Verner replaced Tony Lippett, who suffered an Achilles injury, as Miami’s third-best cornerback, and will likely play ahead of rookie Cordrea Tankersley. But Lippett’s injury opens the door for a sixth cornerback to make the 53-man roster. But neither Pitts or McTyer, who is working as a nickel cornerback, have been impressive in camp or the preseason games, which indicates that it is more realistic for them to be practice-squad options unless they become impactful gunners on special teams.