The Miami Dolphins enter their 68th training camp with the NFL‘s 11th-oldest roster, and it’s going to get no younger once they pare their roster down to 53 players next month.
In our initial Dolphins 53-man roster projections of 2023, we have Miami down for just four rookies — two of whom are draft picks.
This is a team built to compete today and worry about tomorrow — tomorrow.
Miami Dolphins 53-Man Roster Projection: Offense
We went with a truly balanced roster — 25 players on offense, 25 players on defense, and three specialists. Of those 25 offensive players, all but eight were members of the group that ranked 11th in scoring (23.4 points per game) in 2022.
Quarterback
QB2 will be one of the top position battles to watch this training camp but don’t be surprised if Mike McDaniel keeps both Mike White and Skylar Thompson, given Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history and the NFL’s new game-day roster rules.
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Mike White
- Skylar Thompson
Running Back
This group should be written in graphite, not ink. Salvon Ahmed’s odds of making the team will approach zero if the Dolphins win the Dalvin Cook sweepstakes.
- Raheem Mostert
- Jeff Wilson Jr.
- Devon Achane (R)
- Salvon Ahmed
- Alec Ingold
Wide Receiver
Beyond the top three, it’s truly a wide-open competition. Braxton Berrios probably has one of the other three jobs locked up, considering the Dolphins see him as their primary returner.
- Tyreek Hill
- Jaylen Waddle
- Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- Robbie Chosen
- Braxton Berrios
- River Cracraft
Tight End
With Mike Gesicki gone, Miami doesn’t have a real red-zone threat at tight end. So that means TE1 is Durham Smythe’s job to lose. Beyond that, no player is guaranteed a spot. Expect Tanner Conner to be a part of the conversation.
- Durham Smythe
- Eric Saubert
- Tyler Kroft
Offensive Line
The Dolphins have eight solid offensive linemen. The only ways this list changes are: 1) injuries or 2) someone like rookie Ryan Hayes has a great camp.
- Terron Armstead
- Robert Hunt
- Connor Williams
- Austin Jackson
- Liam Eichenberg
- Robert Jones
- Dan Feeney
- Isaiah Wynn
Miami Dolphins 53-Man Roster Projection: Defense
This is the most talented Dolphins’ defense in at least a decade. But to be really special, new coordinator Vic Fangio will need to unearth some diamonds in the rough on the interior defensive line and at off-ball linebacker.
Interior Defensive Line
Beyond Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler, the Dolphins have big-time questions. They certainly need Raekwon Davis to regain his rookie form. But IDL4 and IDL5 might not currently be on the roster.
- Christian Wilkins
- Zach Sieler
- Raekwon Davis
- Josiah Bronson
- Brandon Pili (R)
EDGE
The Dolphins have a dangerous group of pass rushers. The question with this group isn’t ability but availability. Fangio needs injury luck on his side this fall.
- Bradley Chubb
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Jaelan Phillips
- Malik Reed
- Mitchell Agude (R)
Linebacker
Like IDL, we could see the Dolphins adding external depth at this position between now and Week 1.
Miami would benefit from a strong camp by second-year player Channing Tindall, their top pick in the 2022 draft.
- Jerome Baker
- David Long
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Duke Riley
Cornerback
This is probably the deepest group on the team and one of the deepest in football. Nik Needham is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and our guess is he stays there until at least October.
- Jalen Ramsey
- Xavien Howard
- Kader Kohou
- Cam Smith (R)
- Keion Crossen
- Noah Igbinoghene
Safety
Brandon Jones seems to be on track to play the season opener — which means the Dolphins won’t have to force players into roles they probably shouldn’t.
- Jevon Holland
- Brandon Jones
- DeShon Elliott
- Verone McKinley
- Justin Bethel
Miami Dolphins 53-Man Roster Projection: Special Teams
The Dolphins made a change at punter this offseason, swapping Thomas Morstead for Jake Bailey. While Jason Sanders has no in-house competition, he likely needs a strong summer to secure a job. Not a dime of his $3.4 million base salary is guaranteed.
Kicker
Punter
Long Snapper
Complete Projected Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
Wide Receiver
- Tyreek Hill
- River Cracraft
Wide Receiver
- Jaylen Waddle
- Braxton Berrios
Wide Receiver
- Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- Robbie Chosen
Quarterback
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Mike White
- Skylar Thompson
Running Back
- Raheem Mostert
- Jeff Wilson Jr.
- Devon Achane
- Salvon Ahmed
Fullback
Left Tackle
- Terron Armstead
- Isaiah Wynn
Left Guard
- Liam Eichenberg
- Robert Jones
Center
- Connor Williams
- Dan Feeney
Right Guard
Right Tackle
- Austin Jackson
- Isaiah Wynn
Interior Defensive Line
- Christian Wilkins
- Josiah Bronson
- Brandon Pili
Interior Defensive Line
- Zach Sieler
- Raekwon Davis
EDGE
EDGE
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Mitchell Agude
EDGE
- Jaelan Phillips
- Malik Reed
Weakside Linebacker
Strongside Linebacker
- David Long
- Andrew Van Ginkel
Cornerback
Cornerback
- Xavien Howard
- Keion Crossen
Cornerback
- Kader Kohou
- Noah Igbinoghene
Safety
- Jevon Holland
- Justin Bethel
Safety
- Brandon Jones
- DeShon Elliott
- Verone McKinley
Kicker
Punter
Long Snapper
