Projecting the Miami Dolphins' 53-man roster

Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly projects the Dolphins' 53-man roster

Here is an early projection of the Miami Dolphins' 53-man roster

August 23, 2012|By Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel

Projecting an NFL team's 53-man roster isn't calculus. It has more to do with chemistry because the process involves finding the right balance between offense and defense, linemen and linebackers, tailbacks and tight ends.

It is a balancing act. You also have to factor in experience versus youth, expensive versus bargain, and the final ingredient......SPECIAL TEAMS.

Here's how I usually begin the exercise of projecting the Miami Dolphins' 53-man roster.

1. Start with special teams.

That unit always accounts for at least three players: kicker Dan Carpenter, punter Brandon Fields and holder John Denney.

Special teams coordinators also have a little weight when it comes to the roster, so I'm giving Darren Rizzi two extra players for his unit. One on offense, and one on defense.

Those picks are receiver Julius Pruitt, who is dynamic as a gunner, and versatile linebacker Jason Trusnik, who is steady and reliable in whatever role you give him.

Never overlook special teams because it usually decides the field position battle, which often decides who wins on Sundays.

2. Divide the team evenly.

Factoring in special teams leaves us with 48 players to select from a pool of 89. That means offense and defense each gets 24 players, but it's really 25 if you count Pruitt, who falls into the receiver category, and Trusnik, who falls into the linebacker unit.

3. Find the right formula for each position.

My latest projection includes the Dolphins keeping three quarterbacks, five running backs and fullbacks, six receivers, three tight ends and eight offensive linemen. I kept six receivers because the west coast offense is wide open, which means it requires more receivers. I'd love to keep nine offensive linemen, but that would require keeping one less quarterback or tailback.

However, sometimes you take from one side of the ball to assist another, and I might do that with the defense to enhance the offense. So, I'm projecting the Dolphins keep eight defensive linemen, six linebackers and nine defensive backs. That formula helps me keep an extra offensive lineman. Now we're keeping 26 offensive players and 24 on defense.

4. Make your picks, and have conviction about it.

Here are my picks, but keep in mind it is a fluid situation that hasn't taken into account the final two games, or injuries.

QUARTERBACKS (3) - Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, David Garrard (injured). I'd try to put Pat Devlin on the practice squad for the second straight season. For those thinking Devlin over Garrard because of money keep in mind that Devlin is HALF the quarterback Garrard is.

RUNNING BACKS (5) - Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas, Steve Slaton, Lamar Miller and fullback Jorvorskie Lane, who also brings special teams value. The toughest call is Slaton over Marcus Thigpen, but you make this move hoping to put Thigpen, who is used more as a slot receiver, on the practice squad. In my opinion this is the toughest decision to make.

RECEIVER (6) - Davone Bess, Legedu Naanee, Brian Hartline (injured former starter), Julius Pruitt (special teams stud) have solid footing. The final two spots of the 53-man roster go to Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore. Moore was the toughest call because of the promise some of the youngsters, especially Jeff Fuller, showed. It can easily go Fuller over Moore based on their production in the final two games, but I'm going with Moore because I've counted him out the past two years and he's made it to the 53. Two young receivers (say Fuller and BJ Cunningham, or Chris Hogan) will likely go on the practice squad.

TIGHT ENDS (3) - Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay and Michael Egnew. Leaving Jeron Mastrud off the 53 is tough because he provides some versatility. Les Brown is a practice squad possibility, but not one I'm married to.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9) - Jake Long, Richie Incognito, Mike Pouncey, Artis Hicks (injured), Jonathan Martin are the starters. What you need is a backup center (Josh Samuda), backup tackle (Lydon Murtha) and backup guard (Nate Garner). You also keep one extra player in case of injury and my vote goes to Will Yeatman because of the upside he possesses, and his versatility. But that means I'm investing in Yeatman's raw and unpolished talent and dumping John Jerry. It is also possible the Dolphins could invest in Yeatman by placing him on the practice squad and poach an offensive lineman from another teams waiver wire (think Green Bay).

DEFENSIVE LINE (8) - Cameron Wake, Paul Soliai, Randy Starks, Jared Odrick are the starters. Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby are the backup defensive ends, and Tony McDaniel and rookie Kheeston Randall are the backup defensive tackles. I'd invest in Isaako Aaitui as the practice squad nose tackle for the second straight season. He has some talent, but might be poached by another team.

Sun Sentinel Articles