Over three hours after Saturday’s final cut-down deadline, the Dolphins finally announced the 22 cuts that trims their roster to 53 players.
The team kept us waiting long enough, so without further ado, here is a list of everyone who was let go, followed by the likely temporary 53-man roster:
CUTS
Waived:
G Chris Barker
C Sam Brenner
WR Chad Bumphis
WR Keenan Davis
DT A.J. Francis
RB Jonas Gray
S Keelan Johnson
S Jordan Kovacs
T Andrew McDonald
WR Marvin McNutt
TE Kyle Miller
DE Tristin Okpalaugo
CB Julian Posey
CB De’Andre Presley
DT Kheeston Randall
DT Tracey Robertson
LB Lee Robinson
LB Austin Spitler
WR Brian Tyms
Waived/Injured:
T Jeff Adams
QB Aaron Corp
Terminated Contracts:
LB Antwan Applewhite
53-MAN ROSTER
Offense
QB: Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Pat Devlin
RB: Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Mike Gillislee
FB: Evan Rodriguez
TE: Charles Clay, Dion Sims, Michael Egnew
WR: Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Rishard Matthews
OT: Jonathan Martin, Tyson Clabo, Dallas Thomas, Will Yeatman
OG: Richie Incognito, John Jerry, Nate Garner
C: Mike Pouncey, Josh Samuda
Defense
DE: Cameron Wake, Olivier Vernon, Dion Jordan, Derrick Shelby
DT: Paul Soliai, Jared Odrick, Randy Starks, Vaughn Martin
LB: Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Koa Misi, Jelani Jenkins, Jason Trusnik, Jonathan Freeny, Josh Kaddu
CB: Brent Grimes, Dimitri Patterson, Nolan Carroll, Will Davis, Jamar Taylor, R.J. Stanford
S: Reshad Jones, Chris Clemons, Jimmy Wilson, Kelcie McCray, Don Jones
Specialists
K: Caleb Sturgis
P: Brandon Fields
LS: John Denney
KR/PR: Marcus Thigpen
ANALYSIS
So, a few surprises here. First off, nobody projected the Dolphins to keep 11 defensive backs. Chances are, however, that doing so will only be temporary. The top five conerbacks and top four safeties are probably locks, but R.J. Stanford as the sixth corner and Don Jones as the fifth safety will be the first two in line for dismissal if the Dolphins are awarded a player or players off the waiver wire. And I could easily substitute if for when.
There’s a remote chance of the Dolphins entering the season with only four wide receivers, even with kick returner Marcus Thigpen’s ability to play the slot. Other potential claims could come at the tight end position, which obviously remains a need in the aftermath of Dustin Keller’s injury, running back, where there is concern in short-yardage situations, or along the offensive line, where there is no reliable backup to left tackle Jonathan Martin.
Keeping 11 defensive backs wasn’t the only surprise on defense. Defensive tackles Kheeston Randall and A.J. Francis played well in the preseason, and many expected at least one of the two, if not both to make the team. The Dolphins have decided to roll with just four interior defensive linemen, though, as Vaughn Martin will backup one of the league’s best three-man rotations in Paul Soliai, Randy Starks and Jared Odrick.
Offensively, the biggest surprise was keeping only four receivers. When news broke Saturday afternoon that Chad Bumphis and Brian Tyms had been waived, most concluded that Marvin McNutt’s spot was safe. Instead, the offense’s fifth receiver will likely be a waiver-wire claim or free-agent signing.
One other moderate surprise was quarterback Pat Devlin surviving cuts. It had been widely speculated that the Dolphins were considering keeping only Matt Moore to backup Ryan Tannehill this season.
While the Dolphins will likely be awarded a player or two from the waiver wire, keep in mind that they recently worked out six free agents, including wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers.
Shoulda kept McNutt SMH