The Miami Dolphins released their initial 53 man roster last Tuesday, and since then have made a few moves to prepare for their week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Below in this article I will breakdown the decisions made by Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and staff on the offensive side of the ball.
The Dolphins had an early decision to make within their quarterback room, and they made a decision that surprised many Dolphins fans. The Dolphins carried 3 quarterbacks on their roster this offseason, and many thought they would carry the same 3 on the 53 man roster, or make one of their QBs a healthy scratch on game days like last year.
Instead the Miami Dolphins cut their primary backup Mike White, who was picked up by the Buffalo Bills instantly after. Mike White was signed by the Miami Dolphins prior to the 2022-2023 season with hopes he could be a consistent backup if Tua Tagovailoa went down with an injury. Tagovailoa stayed healthy for the entirety of last year’s season, and when Mike White came in he was fairly inconsistent. He finished last season with 1TD and 1INT on 6 attempts. His interception was notable in a blowout against the Carolina Panthers, he threw a pick six to Panthers cornerback Troy Hill. In the preseason this year, he competed with Skylar Thompson who ultimately ended up beating him out. Neither QB developed a consistent rhythm during preseason action, but Skylar was able to put together some more sustained drives. The move saved Miami $3.5mil in cap space.
The Dolphins have since added Tim Boyle to the practice squad. Boyle is well known in the NFL and by Dolphins fans for being the victim of the 100 yard pick six by safety Jevon Holland where Holland ran 129 total yards to end the 1st half. Coach Mike McDaniel likes his locker room presence and how he fits in with the team, as well as scheme familiarity.
The RB room didn’t make any surprising moves. The room consists of Raheem Mostert, Devon Achane, Jeff Wilson Jr, Jaylen Wright, and fullback Alec Ingold. There was speculation the Dolphins could keep 2nd year back Chris Brooks over Jeff Wilson, Brooks had an impressive rookie season when his name was called on in blowout game scenarios, and had a great preseason game against the Washington Commanders before going down with an injury. Since the injury Brooks has been placed on the Dolphins IR. It’s clear the Dolphins value the experience within the system of Jeff Wilson. Wilson was considered amongst fans as a possible surprise cut, because he will likely be the Dolphins RB4. Jaylen Wright looked outstanding in the preseason, and was considered a steal by many peoples standards in this past NFL draft. The Dolphins traded up for Wright and look to have cashed in.
There was a lot of movement for the Miami Dolphins WR room. The Dolphins ultimately ended up holding 5 WR’s (for now) with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Malik Washington, and former Charlotte and Green Bay Packers WR Grant DuBose. DuBose is a big bodied WR with strong hands and good athleticism. He fits a mold the Miami Dolphins have not really had in the Mike McDaniel era. He should be depth for now, but could see the field early on running downs. Odell Beckham Jr is on the PUP list, so he will miss at least four games this season. The other wide receiver who will return back to the team is River Cracraft, who has been the team’s most improved player this preseason. River caught a touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa in their lone drive together against the Washington Commanders.
The tight end group consists of newcomer Jonnu Smith, and returners Durham Smythe, Julian Hill, and Tanner Conner. The team waived Jordy Fortson who was brought in from Kansas City and rookie Hayden Rucci out of Wisconsin. Rucci was a great blocker for the Dolphins and caught a touchdown pass in the preseason against Tampa Bay. Many thought he could get a surprise roster spot, but the Dolphins chose the experience over the rookie. Jonnu Smith brings a run after catch ability that the Dolphins have not had in a very long time at the tight end position. He is considered by many a perfect scheme fit in Mike McDaniels system. Smythe and Hill were the teams top tight ends last year and specialize in blocking. Tanner Conner making the roster was an interesting move by the Dolphins, he has stuck around on the practice squad for the last 2 years. Mike McDaniel is impressed by his development and knowledge of the playbook.
The Dolphins decided to keep 9 among the OLineman. The 5 starters should be Terron Armstead, Liam Eichenberg, Aaron Brewer, Robert Jones, and Austin Jackson. The remaining 4 depth pieces are Kendall Lamm, Patrick Paul, Lester Cotton, and Andrew Meyer. The team waived intriguing OLineman Jack Driscoll coming over from the Eagles, who had the ability to play multiple positions on the OLine. The Dolphins opted to keep their returning depth pieces who have worked with OLine coach Butch Barry before. Isaiah Wynn begins the season on the PUP list, he was an impressive starting left guard for the Dolphins last year before having a season ending injury against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Wynn’s return is still in question, his return would be massive for the unit. Andrew Meyer making the team is one of the intriguing moves Miami made. Meyer played his college ball at UTEP, and is considered a great scheme fit for Miami’s wide zone run scheme. In the Dolphins offense it takes a center who can be a “people mover” in the run game, and can get out and run in space to make crucial blocks. Meyer showcased in the preseason that he can do that at an NFL level. Depth piece Kion Smith got injured in preseason play and will miss the entirety of the 2024 NFL season.