Breaking Down and Analyzing the Dolphins' Initial 53-Man Roster

We are breaking down the Miami roster by position after the moves to get to the 53-player limit.

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) runs for a first down against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins have their initial 53-man roster.

The team made more than two dozen transactions to reach the NFL-mandated limit by Tuesday's 4:00 PM EDT deadline.

Here's the rundown by position, along with a quick analysis of the moves made to get there.

QUARTERBACKS (2)

• On the 53: Tua Tagovailoa, Skylar Thompson
• Tuesday moves: None.
• Analysis: This was settled when the team released veteran Mike White on Sunday.

RUNNING BACKS (5)

• On the 53: Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright (R), Jeff Wilson Jr., FB Alec Ingold
• Tuesday moves: Waived/injured Chris Brooks, released Anthony McFarland Jr., waived Zander Horvath.
• Analysis: We discussed the possibility of the Dolphins trading Wilson for a draft pick, but the fact that he'd have that kind of value also indicates he was worth keeping. This is a disappointing ending for Brooks, who sometimes flashes but also deals with his share of injuries.

WIDE RECEIVERS (4)

• On the 53: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios, Malik Washington (R)
• Tuesday moves: Placed River Cracraft on IR/designated to return; moved Odell Beckham, Jr. to the Reserve/PUP list; waived Erik Ezukanma, Mike Harley, Jr., Je'Quan Burton and Kyric McGowan; waived/injured Braylon Sanders.
• Analysis: What stands out here is the fact that the Dolphins have only four wide receivers on the 53, a situation we think will change between now and September 8th. The big news was Beckham having to start the season on PUP, though Ezukanma being outright waived was surprising. Cracraft will be eligible to return after four games.

TIGHT ENDS (4)

• On the 53: Durham Smythe, Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner
• Tuesday moves: Waived Hayden Rucci.
• Analysis: We said the big question here was whether the Dolphins would carry a fourth tight end, and it certainly makes sense, given the low number at both quarterback and wide receiver.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10)

• On the 53: Terron Armstead, Robert Jones, Aaron Brewer, Liam Eichenberg, Austin Jackson, Kendall Lamm, Lester Cotton, Jack Driscoll, Patrick Paul (R), Andrew Meyer (R)
• Tuesday moves: Waived Chasen Hines and Matthew Jones; moved Isaiah Wynn to the Reserve/PUP list.
• Analysis: Meyer making the team as a rookie free agent has to be the biggest surprise on the 53, but the rest of the group is as expected.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (5)

• On the 53: Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Da'Shawn Hand, Brandon Pili, Benito Jones
• Tuesday moves: Released Neville Gallimore and Isaiah Mack; waived Robert Cooper and Leonard Payne.
• Analysis: Absolutely nothing surprising here, even if Gallimore's $1.8 million salary (signing bonus and base salary) was fully guaranteed.

EDGE DEFENDERS (5)

• On the 53: Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah, Chop Robinson (R), Mohamed Kamara (R), Quinton Bell
• Tuesday moves: Moved Bradley Chubb and Cameron Goode to the Reserve/PUP list; waived David Anenih; placed Wyatt Ray on season-ending IR.
• Analysis: Nothing surprising here, either.

LINEBACKERS (5)

• On the 53: David Long, Jr., Jordyn Brooks, Duke Riley, Channing Tindall, Anthony Walker, Jr.
• Tuesday moves: Released Curtis Bolton; waived Dequan Jackson.
• Analysis: The big question was whether Walker's injury, which has kept him from practicing the past several weeks, would jeopardize his roster spot. Don't be surprised if he's put on IR on Wednesday, allowing him to return in 2024.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (11)

• On the 53: CB Jalen Ramsey, CB Kendall Fuller, S Jevon Holland, S Jordan Poyer, S Marcus Maye, CB Kader Kohou, CB Ethan Bonner, CB Siran Neal, S Elijah Campbell, CB Storm Duck, S Patrick McMorris
• Tuesday moves: Placed CB Cam Smith on IR/designated to return; released CB/S Nik Needham; waived S Jordan Colbert, CB Isaiah Johnson, CB Jason Maitre and S Mark Perry
• Analysis: Duck making the team as a rookie free agent is a big accomplishment, but we're not surprised that a UDFA made it because the Dolphins had three good-looking players fitting that bill. Smith, like Cracraft, will be eligible to return after four games as he recovers from his hamstring injury.

SPECIALISTS (2)

• On the 53: K Jason Sanders, P Jake Bailey
• Tuesday moves: Released LS Blake Ferguson.
• Analysis: Remember when we discussed the likelihood of Walker going on IR on Wednesday? Well, the Dolphins needed a roster spot to carry him because they used their two IR/return allotments of cutdown day on Cracraft and Smith, and we suspect this will happen. The Dolphins obviously need to have a long-snapper on the roster and likely told Ferguson he'd be re-signed. Interestingly enough, the Buffalo Bills did that in 2021 and 2023 with no other than Blake's brother Reid, who is also a long-snapper.