Preseason Ends, and Now the Cuts

To me, the 2023 preseason was dominated by injuries. Our first two draft choices, Achane and Cam Smith, missed significant practice and game time. Our first-class trade acquisition, Jalen Ramsey, is out for most of the season.

Our investment in a backup QB, Mike White, will be iffy for Week One. This is precarious because Skylar Thompson clearly is not ready to be an NFL QB.

All in all, I suppose, we escaped without any total injury disasters, although the Ramsey MCL hurts.

Christian Wilkins ended his holdout and stated that he will play this year and honor his deal. Good man.

This is the part where I insert my annual salary cap thoughts. I say this every year around this time, and I still think it’s true. The salary cap is for sure an inconvenience, but it’s not a wrecker. It’s a yield sign rather than a stop sign.

Teams can ALWAYS find cap room. Wiggle something here and create something there. It always happens. Despite GMs always saying the cliche “We loved him. But it’s business and the cap forced us to cut him,” I don’t buy that! So the Dolphins can get creative and afford anyone they want. They an also cut anyone they don’t like and simply pretend it was a business/salary decision.

So where are we now with the 53-man roster?

No real surprises in today’s cuts.

First-round bust Noah I is gone in a trade to Dallas. Robbie Chosen Anderson is gone (told ya!). Myles Gaskin is gone. I figured that from the very moment we drafted Achane. (Gaskin is now a Viking with Brian Flores). Here are more below…

CUTS:

Quarterback

• James Blackman
• Tua Tagovailoa
• Skylar Thompson
• Mike White

Running Back/Fullback

• De’Von Achane
• Salvon Ahmed
• Chris Brooks (This one shocked me)
• Myles Gaskin SOURCE: ESPN
• Alec Ingold
• Raheem Mostert
• Jeff Wilson Jr.

Wide Receiver

• Braxton Berrios
• Robbie Chosen 
• Chris Coleman 
• Keke Coutee
• River Cracraft (very pleased. He earned his keep last year)
• Daewood Davis SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Erik Ezukanma (We keep hearing about his potential…Let’s see)
• Tyreek Hill
• Braylon Sanders
• Jaylen Waddle
• Cedrick Wilson Jr.

Tight End

• Tanner Conner
• Elijah Higgins SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Julian Hill (I can’t keep track of all these ham-and-egger tight ends we brought in, but we’re keeping Hill)
• Tyler Kroft
• Eric Saubert SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Durham Smythe

Offensive Tackle

• Terron Armstead
• Geron Christian SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Ryan Hayes  Wasted draft pick
• Austin Jackson
• Kendall Lamm
• Cedric Ogbuehi
• Kion Smith
• James Tunstall

Interior Offensive Line

• Liam Eichenberg
• Lester Cotton
• Dan Feeney TRADED
• Robert Hunt
• Robert Jones
• Alama Uluave 
• Connor Williams
• Isaiah Wynn Could be a sleeper. Playing for Belichick makes you 20% tougher than any Dolphin

Defensive Line

• Josiah Bronson SOURCE: NFL Network
• Randy Charlton
• Raekwon Davis
• Da’Shawn Hand SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Emmanuel Ogbah
• Brandon Pili Another sleeper.
• Zach Sieler
• Jaylen Twyman 
• Christian Wilkins
• Jamal Woods 

Linebacker

• Mitchell Agude
• Jerome Baker
• Bradley Chubb
• Cameron Goode SOURCE: Miami Herald
• A.J. Johnson
• David Long Jr.
• Aubrey Miller II SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Garrett Nelson
• Jaelan Phillips
• Malik Reed  SHOCKING! I thought they brought in Reed as a sure-thing to replace the very productive Melvin Ingram.
  
• Duke Riley Good, I love the Duke. He’s A-Number-One. Bonus points if anyone knows that reference.
• Channing Tindall
• Andrew Van Ginkel

Cornerback

• Eli Apple
• Justin Bethel
• Ethan Bonner SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Xavien Howard
• Noah Igbinoghene  Nah na na na na, hey hey hey…
• Kelvin Joseph
• Kader Kohou
• Parry Nickerson
• Jalen Ramsey
• Cam Smith
• Bryce Thompson SOURCE: Miami Herald

Safety/Defensive Back

• Elijah Campbell
• Keion Crossen
• DeShon Elliott
• Jevon Holland
• Brandon Jones
• Verone McKinley III  CONFLICTING REPORTS
• Jamal Perry SOURCE: Miami Herald
• Keidron Smith
• Trill Williams SOURCE: Miami Herald

Special Teams

• Jake Bailey
• Blake Ferguson
• Jason Sanders