By Christian Chappell and Kayla Morton
The Miami Dolphins made all the necessary cuts by late Saturday to finalize their 2020 53-man roster.
Last year Miami’s average age was 25.2-years-old, the youngest in the NFL, and this year the team got even younger with an average age of exactly 25-years-old.
Miami Rolls With Just Two QBs on Active Roster
Most teams around the league will usually find enough roster space for up to three quarterbacks, but the Dolphins found no use for that as they trimmed down to two QBs Friday night with the release of 23-year old Josh Rosen.
Though Rosen was only coming up on his third season, the team must have found more solace in the QB combination of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and the rookie Tua Tagovailoa. Reason being that Fitzpatrick was responsible for all of the Dolphins’ wins last season, and the lefty, Tagovailoa, had the highest college career passer rating in NCAA history with 199.4. Tagovailoa became the highest selected quarterback by the Dolphins since 1967.
Dolphins Keep Four Backs, Two Versatile Players
The team also attempted to trade away running back Kalen Ballage to their AFC East rival, the New York Jets, but the trade became void when Ballage reportedly failed his physical. Ballage then reverted to the Dolphins and was released.
Miami appears to be much happier with their offseason acquisitions of Jordan Howard and Matt Brieda that it got via free agency signing and a draft-day trade. The Dolphins still have two solely RBs on their roster in Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird, as well as recent versatile draftee Malcolm Perry who can play QB, RB and wide receiver.
Miami’s backfield moves speak to its desperate need of finding a new RB after trading away Kenyan Drake before the trade deadline last season and Ballage’s NFL-worst 1.8 yards per carry last season.
Parker, Williams, Ford to Start at Wide Receiver
With WRs Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns opting out for the Dolphins due to COVID-19, the team’s starting WRs for the season will be DeVante Parker, Preston Williams and Isaiah Ford in that order. Miami will also have Jakeem Grant, Mack Hollins and the rookie Lynn Bowden Jr. who it traded for on Saturday in the wings.
Grant, Perry, Bowden Jr.: Team Wild Cards
“The Cheetah” Grant will likely be primarily used as a special team returns man again and Bowden Jr. will pop outside as a WR option, though is qualified to play the same positions as Perry and Grant. Bowden Jr. also won the Paul Hornung most versatile college player award in 2019.
Mike Gesicki Headlines Tight End Room
At tight end, Miami elected to start Mike Gesicki while keeping Durham Smythe and Adam Shaheen on its active roster. Chandler Cox is listed as a fullback, but also as a TE option.
Dolphins Put Two Rookies on Offensive Line
For offensive line, two rookies will get the start at both the left tackle and right guard positions in Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley respectively. Additionally, Ereck Flowers will start at left guard, Ted Karras will start at center and Jesse Davis will start at right tackle ahead of rookie Robert Hunt.
2020 Secondary Features Touted Veterans
On defense, with the addition of cornerback Byron Jones this past offseason, CB Xavien Howard will have some assistance opposite him in the secondary. The team also acquired defensive ends Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson over the offseason and a number of linebackers to assist returning Ohio State man Jerome Baker, with Kyle Van Noy the most notable of the bunch.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Diverse Secondary Provides Many Options
Beside Van Noy, Ogbah, Howard and Jones, LBs Kamu Grugier-Hill and Elandon Roberts also got starting nods. CB Noah Igbinoghene will back up Jones, CB Jamal Perry will back up Howard, Lawson will back up Van Noy, Baker will back up Roberts, LB Calvin Munson will back up Gruiger-Hill and LB Andrew Van Ginkel will back up Ogbah.
In the three-CB option however, Igbinoghene will be featured as the nickel back and will start at the position in those sets. He will only back up Jones when Miami moves to a two-CB set. Veteran Bobby McCain will back up Igbinoghene in the NB role.
CBs Nik Needham and Sam Eguavoen also made the team and are on the starting roster but will only appear in substitution stints or injury time.
Familiar Faces Start at Safety, Tackle, But Many New Faces Provide Depth
Strong safety Eric Rowe earned the starting nod for the second year in a row and will be backed up by free agent signee from the Dallas Cowboys, Kavon Frazier. Frazier is also reported to have a top special teams role with Miami.
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux will start at nose tackle and be backed up by rookie Raekwon Davis. Additionally, Zach Sieler, a waiver from the Baltimore Ravens, will start at left defensive end with rookie Jason Strawbridge as his backup.
Finally, Clayton Fejedelem made the team as a depth free safety that will also have a primary role in special teams like Frazier. Additionally, defensive end Christian Wilkins will start again in his second year.
Other Team News
Miami listed the following players on its practice squad:
QB Jake Rudock
RB Salvon Ahmed
WRs Antonio Callaway, Kirk Merritt and Matt Cole
TE Chris Myarick
OL Jonathan Hubbard, Durval Queiroz Neto
DL Tyshun Render, Benito Jones and Nick Coe
LB Kylan Johnson
CB Tae Hayes, Javaris Davis and Ken Webster
S Nate Holley, Brian Cole
Team Captains Also Announced
Furthermore, Miami named the following players team captains based on player voting:
Offense: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ted Karras, Jess Davis
Defense: Bobby McCain, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts
Special Teams: Kavon Frazier, Clayton Fejedelem
The Dolphins will travel to take on the New England Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday at 1 p.m. eastern.
Editor’s Note: Lynn Bodwen Jr., Jamal Perry and Jason Strawbridge do not have a player profile on profootballreference.com, the site FPC Dolphins uses to highlight players. In addition, those players on the practice squad, outside of returning QB Jake Rudock, were not tagged for similar reasons.
– Christian Chappell is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @cmoneypc Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @northdakayla74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep 242: WR Tiers Part 2by Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 7:39 pm
-
Ep 241: WR Tiers 2022 Part 1by Full Press Coverage on July 28, 2022 at 1:50 pm
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Juan Soto Wins Home Run Derby; Is It Worth Watching?by Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:10 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti react to Juan Soto's […]
-
Jimmy Garoppolo To Tampa Bay? Not so Fastby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:09 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the latest […]
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Ian and John discuss Tom Brady on his 45th birthday and ask the […]
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Vin Scully, Tom Brady's birthday, and […]
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Ian and John react to the passing of Celtics' legend, Bill Russell.
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Celtics' legend Bill Russell and the […]
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyler Murray extension, Julio Jones signing in […]
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumored 8-game suspension for Browns quarterback, […]
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Ian and John react to the Kyler Murray contract, the impending Deshaun […]
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumors of Charles Barkley joining LIV Golf, the […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "And Neeeeew..."by Boot 2 The Face on July 18, 2022 at 10:05 am
Your boys are back talking pro wrestling. We talk Jim Ross and his new […]
-
Ep 140: Training Camp Part 2by Full Press Coverage on August 7, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 125: Mabel/Visceraby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Ep. 196 - Bill Russell: Real Life Superheroby Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 9:32 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep.119: Hall Of Fame Game Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
-
Ep 49: Who Are The Top Five Quarterbacks In The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:53 pm
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm
-
7/19 - Lakers, MLB Home Run Derby, Gronks Future, And Moreby Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:07 pm
-
7/11 - Celebrity Deaths; Jimmy Garoppolo Rumorby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:07 pm