It was a fast-paced day yesterday… let’s pull it all together
All right, there are still moves to be made, but most of the Miami Dolphins Week 1 Roster is now clear! There were some pleasant and some unpleasant surprises, but overall the Dolphins are fielding an ultra-talented collection of players in most position groups. Unfortunately, some position groups look like someone coming off a weekend bender broke after a bad time at the tables. The good news on this bad news is that the Phins will get high-end talent reinforcements as some injured players heal. This isn’t the best-case scenario, but it is a legitimate reason for hope if the Phins can come out of the gates with a hot start.
So, let’s dig into the news and what the team looks like!
IR/ PUP list brings some troubled water for Phins
Odell Beckham Jr. will miss at least the first 4 games of the season. OBJ’s offseason acquisition was a big one and fans will have to wait to see what kind of impact he brings, but I expect his presence–whenever he returns– to be sizable for many reasons. I don’t think OBJ missing the first quarter of the season is a disaster for Miami’s chances for a big season. The problem is it will demand the Dolphins remaining wideouts to stay healthy and the offensive line to have less breathing room–and they need all the breathing room they can get.
The Dolphins didn’t claim any offensive linemen off waivers and have not signed any free agents to bolster their unit… yet. You can’t bet with the best pay per head that this unit will again be in the spotlight in evaluating this season for better or worse. Let’s hope Chris Grier shows all of us that he knows better. Last year he didn’t with his ‘fans are more worried about the depth of the offensive line than we are’, but it’s another season, so let’s see.
This is the roster for the 2024 Regular Season opener!
Quarterback:
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Skylar Thompson
Running back:
- De’Von Achane
- Alec Ingold
- Raheem Mostert
- Jeff Wilson Jr.
- Jaylen Wright
Wideout: (Surprise cuts– Erik Ezukanma)
- Jaylen Waddle
- Malik Washington
- Tyreek Hill
- Braxton Berrios
- River Cracraft (IR)
- Odell Beckham Jr. (PUP)
- Grant Dubose (claimed off waivers)
Tight End:
- Jonnu Smith
- Durham Smythe
- Julian Hill
- Connor Tanner, Tanner Connor
Offensive Tackle:
- Terron Armstead
- Austin Jackson
- Kendall Lamm
- Patrick Paul
Offensive Guard & Center:
- Aaron Brewer (injured and uncertain for WK 1)
- Lester Cotton
- Liam Eichenberg
- Robert Jones
- Andrew Meyer
- Isiaih Wynn (IR)
Defensive Line:
- Brandon Pili (injured but will play)
- Zach Sieler
- Benito Jones (injured and uncertain for WK 1)
- Da’Shawn Hand
- Calais Campbell
Edge:
- Bradley Chubb (IR)
- Cameron Goode (IR)
- Quinton Bell
- Mohamed Kamara
- Emmanuel Ogbah
- Jaelan Phillips (unbelievably looks to play WK1)
- Chop Robinson
Linebacker:
- David Long Jr.
- Duke Riley
- Channing Tindall
- Anthony Walker Jr. (Injured uncertain for WK1)
- Jordyn Brooks
Cornerback: (Notable Practice Squad player Nik Needham)
- Ethan Bonner
- Storm Duck (greatest name ever!)
- Kendall Fuller
- Kader Kohou
- Cam Smith (IR)
- Siran Neal
- Jalen Ramsey
Safety/Defensive Back:
- Jevon Holland
- Marcus Maye
- Patrick McMorris
- Jordan Poyer
When you look at the team, safety, edge, running back, and tight end appear to be exceptional position groups out of the gate. The cornerback group looks good, but some young guys need more evaluation before we can say it’s a strength with depth included. The problem areas are the interior defensive line, wide receiver (until OBJ gets back), and per usual, offensive line (what would a Phins season be without worried about the OL?).
No one can say definitively what this squad will all amount to, we have to sit back now, watch it unfold, and make a weekly evaluation. We must come out the gate hot and go no less than 4-1 to open the season because the Phins have a tough road to close the season and need all the breathing room they can get. It’s all about the Phins’ kickoff to the NFL 2024 Season vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars just over a week from now! Let’s hope this is our year! Go Phins!!!