Top 10 Dolphins Cuts Who Could/Should Be Back on the Practice Squad

The Miami Dolphins will be assembling their practice squad Wednesday afternoon.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (18) catches the football against cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Miami Dolphins have reached the 53-player roster limit, the next orders of business will be tweaking that active roster and putting together their practice squad.

If the practice squad includes one international player, the Dolphins will be able to have 17 players, and they have that with Dominican offensive tackle Bayron Matos.

The practice squad must include at least ten players with two years of NFL experience or less as a refresher.

Based on history, most of the practice squad likely will be filled with players they let go on Tuesday, so we have our list of the top ten candidates for the practice squad.

As another reminder, players with less than four years of NFL experience must clear waivers by Wednesday at noon before they can be signed to the practice squad. Vested veterans (four years or more) can sign with any team anytime.

With all that said, here's our list of the top ten candidates for the Dolphins' practice squad among the players they let go Tuesday to reduce their roster to 53 players.

DOLPHINS CANDIDATES FOR THE PRACTICE SQUAD (ASSUMING THEY'RE NOT CLAIMED ON WAIVERS OR SIGN WITH ANOTHER TEAM)

• RB Chris Brooks — This player has shown really good potential as a runner in his two training camps with Miami and could also help on special teams. He was waived/injured, so he'll have to get healthy, but there is talent there.

• TE Hayden Rucci — The rookie free agent from Wisconsin put himself in contention for a roster spot with his blocking ability, and he's got an NFL future.

• DT Isaiah Mack — While he's a bit undersized for the middle of the defensive line, Mack has some intriguing traits.

• LB Curtis Bolton — This would be one of the veteran exceptions. He had a pretty nondescript stint with the Raiders before joining the Dolphins but may have been the most consistent linebacker on the team in the summer.

• CB Isaiah Johnson — Johnson was one of three very impressive rookie free agents, and he brings great size for the cornerback position.

• CB Jason Maitre — This was another one of those impressive rookie free agents at cornerback. While he's much smaller than Johnson, Maitre showed he could cover and come up in run support during the preseason.

• S Mark Perry — Another rookie free agent, this one from TCU, Perry made himself noticed with his playmaking, particularly as a blitzer.

• DB Nik Needham — This may have been the biggest name among the players released Tuesday, and his versatility and experience certainly could land him a spot on the practice squad if he doesn't end up signing with another team.

• WR Erik Ezukanma — This was the most surprising cut from this standpoint, partly because moving on from him left the Dolphins with only four wide receivers on the active roster. If Ezukanma clears waivers, one would think Miami would bring him back.

• DT Leonard Payne — The rookie free agent from Louisville was effective in training camp and the summer and looks like a prospect worth investing time in.