The Miami Dolphins tallied their first win of the 2025 preseason on Saturday, beating the Detroit Lions 24-17. The victory moves them to 1-0-1 for the preseason, following their 24-24 tie against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Miami returns to South Florida this weekend, opening Hard Rock Stadium for the first time as the Jacksonville Jaguars visit on Saturday.
While the result of the game itself does not matter in the long run, the play of the players on the field does. Bubble watch players are hoping Saturday night’s performance against the Lions was enough to push them into one of the team’s 53 regular-season roster spots. With just one game remaining, and just over a week until the final roster cuts are due, players are getting into crunch time if they hope to remain with the team this year.
Throughout the offseason and into training camp, we have been updating our projected 53-man roster for the Dolphins. How did Saturday’s game impact it? It is time to take a look.
Rookies in italics.
Offense (25)
Quarterbacks (3)
Tua Tagovailoa
Zach Wilson
Quinn Ewers
Changes: None.
No change, though Wilson is not exactly creating a lot of confidence in his role as the backup to Tagovailoa. Ewers looks like a rookie who needs to continue to develop, but he might challenge for the number two spot before the season is over.
Running backs (4)
De’Von Achane
Jaylen Wright
Ollie Gordon II
Alec Ingold (Fullback)
Changes: No changes.
The big question here is the depth chart order. Gordon has looked effective, while Wright has not slammed the door on the rookie. Could Gordon be the primary option after Achane? Aaron Shampklin and Mike Boone are on the wrong side of the cut line.
Wide receivers (6)
Tyreek Hill
Jaylen Waddle
Malik Washington
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Tahj Washington
Dee Eskridge
Change: No change
The wide receivers are pretty static. Theo Wease, Jr., made a case during the game to be a practice squad player or be added to the roster if Miami can find a spot for him. Erik Ezukanma, after so much potential over the last few years, seems to be on his way to the wrong side of the roster bubble and headed out of Miami.
Tight ends (4)
Darren Waller
Tanner Conner
Pharaoh Brown
Julian Hill
Changes: Hill added to the roster
Our first change comes from a player who did not play. Hill gets added to the roster after sitting out the game, giving all appearances that he is potentially a roster lock and maybe the starter at the position. Waller is still not playing, so he may end up on the physically unable to perform list into the season, which would give back a roster spot.
Offensive linemen (8)
Patrick Paul
Jonah Savaiinaea
Aaron Brewer
James Daniels
Austin Jackson
Larry Borom
Kion Smith
Daniel Brunskill
Changes: Remove Germain Ifedi (injured reserve); Remove Jackson Carman; Add Daniel Brunskill
Ifedi was added to the roster last week, and now is on injured reserve, giving back the roster spot. Liam Eichenberg and Andrew Meyer should both be on the roster, but they are both injured and there is no clear indication on when they will be back; they start on reserve lists in this projection. Brusnkill replaces Carman on the roster, but that is not a locked in position. The backend of the depth chart will be something to watch moving into the final preseason game, especially if Eichenberg and Meyer are still sidelined. I am tempted to remove Smith from this list and head into the season with just seven active offensive linemen, knowing that I will have multiple options on the practice squad (likely including Smith), and that Eichenberg and Meyer will be available at some point. Smith played 100 percent of the snaps against the Lions, which is odd for a preseason game.
Defense (25)
Defensive lineman (5)
Zach Sieler
Benito Jones
Kenneth Grant
Jordan Phillips
Matt Dickerson
Changes: None.
I have no idea what to do with the defensive linemen - and the linebackers which are going to be an even bigger mess in just a minute. Zeek Biggers and Ben Stille should both be on the roster, but I do not have the space for them right now. They are on top of the roster bubble right now and I want to find a way to get them onto the roster.
Linebackers (9)
Jaelan Phillips
Jordyn Brooks
Tyrel Dodson
Bradley Chubb
Chop Robinson
Willie Gay, Jr.
Matthew Judon
K.J. Britt
Quinton Bell
Changes: Add Judon; Remove Grayson Murphy.
I hate the idea of cutting Murphy right now. He has played well and he has earned a roster spot, but I am just out of positions. The signing of Judon was an interesting move for the Dolphins, but since nothing else seems to have shaken up the top of the depth chart, it makes sense for him to move onto the roster, ahead of Murphy in claiming a roster spot. I still feel like Cameron Goode lands on the roster as a special teamer somehow.
I know a lot of people have mentioned Mohamed Kamara as someone I am forgetting on this projection, but I just do not see a spot for him on here - especially if the team is signing additional edge rushers.
Cornerbacks (6)
Storm Duck
Kendall Sheffield
Mike Hilton
Jason Marshall
Ethan Bonner
Jack Jones
Changes: None.
Cam Smith is probably the bubble player for the cornerbacks, with him on the wrong side right now. His roster position might come down to just how injured is Bonner and will he miss playing time? The Dolphins could still make a move to shake up this group.
Safeties (5)
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Ashtyn Davis
Elijah Campbell
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Dante Trader, Jr
Changes: Add Trader; Remove Patrick McMorris
Last week I moved Trader off the roster and added McMorris. This week I am switching them back. Davis’ injury is a factor in either added McMorris (or another safety) to the roster, or potentially using his roster spot to add a player at another position.
Special Teams (3)
Punter (1)
Jake Bailey
Changes: Bailey added to the roster; Ryan Stonehouse removed
This is somewhat of a surprise, given the Dolphins signed Stonehouse this offseason and he appeared set to replace Bailey. But the incumbent did enough to earn his roster position and the Dolphins released Stonehouse.
Kicker (1)
Jason Sanders
Changes: None
Long Snapper (1)
Joe Cardona
Changes: None