Ok folks, this is the final preseason contest, and this one means an awful lot for guys fighting for roster spots. We’ll see a smattering of starters, but this game is mostly about seeing which guys step up and make their case to be included in the 53 man roster. Last week I discussed the offensive roster breakdown, today I’m going to focus more on the defense. In particular, there are quite a few young defensive backs who have really impressed in both training camp and preseason games, and we can only carry so many, especially since we have so many talented veteran safeties and corners already on the roster, such as Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller, there are but a few depth spots that remain. Is it possible any of the guys that have been here are in danger, like Kader Kohou, Nik Needham, Elijah Campbell?

I think Kader Kohou is safe. I think Nik Needham, who has stepped up in the past could be in danger, because the NFL is the most “What have you done for me lately?” league around. There are some impressive guys, guys that have worked hard all camp and preseason like CB Storm Duck, CB Jason Maitre, S Patrick McMorris and CB Isaiah Johnson. FYI, only S Patrick McMorris was drafted (Rd 6 pick #198), while Duck, Maitre and Isaiah Johnson were all undrafted free agents. It may be unfair, but this game may truly have a big impact as to whether some of these guys make the roster. Of course, it’s all cumulative, so the good work they’ve done during camp and preseason games all count, but this is the last chance to make a good impression.

Last season we carried 7 cornerbacks, and 5 safeties to begin the season. Knowing how much DC Anthony Weaver likes to use his safeties, I’d imagine we carry at least 5 again. As I mentioned earlier, Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye who was signed earlier this year are probably locks. That leaves two more spots, so Patrick McMorris, Jordan Colbert and Mark Perry will be fighting for potentially one or two spots, At CB, it’s going to be tougher. Jalen Ramsey (who may get plenty of use as a safety in certain formations), Kendall Fuller and Kader Kohou are locked. I’d say ST’s ace, and yet another player who has played very well is CB Siran Neal. Also, Cam Smith, who the Dolphins drafted in RD 2 has played well, but also has been nicked up again. He needs to play, and play well. So with 4 locks, and maybe 3-5 spots to fight for, it should be an intense battle with Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Jason Maitre, Isaiah Johnson and Ethan Bonner, who has also flashed quite a bit. Some of these guys will end up on the practice squad, but I could see a couple of these guys poached by a CB needy team.

The defensive line and linebackers is also a little muddy. The trio of Zach Sieler (LDE), Benito Jones (NT) and Calais Campbell (RDE) are the starters. This will be the starkest contrast from last season, We carried only 5 defensive linemen, but this season in Anthony Weaver’s defense, we will have a heavy rotation of players, so we’ll need to carry at least 2-3 more DL than we did last season. This is where it’s muddy, at least for me. A few guys have flashed, but we have 10 DL, and as I’ve always maintained, I like DE/LB Emmanuel Ogbah better on the D-line despite the fact he’s listed as a LB on the depth chart., so his flexibility there could cost someone a roster spot. DL Da’Shawn Hand, Neville Gallimore, Brandon Pili, Jonathan Harris, Isaiah Mack and Robert Cooper will be competing for those final spots. That means 5 guys will be competing for potentially 2-3 spots, although I have no idea exactly how many DL Weaver will actually carry, this is just guesswork.

At linebacker, with Bradley Chubb beginning the season on the PUP list, that’s one spot that someone might have for a while longer out of necessity. The starters at inside are set, David Long Jr. along with newly signed Jordyn Brooks who signed an free agent from the Seattle Seahawks are the inside tandem. On the outside, we’ll have to see what Weaver decides to do. Will we start with Jaelan Phillips who was recently removed from the PUP list, or will he just get minimal playing time and be used in obvious passing downs? Emmanuel Ogbah and Jaelan Phillips are first on the depth chart, but you’d have to think rookie Chop Robinson will see a lot of reps as well as Quinton Bell and Mo Kamara. As far as who makes the roster, it will depend on how many spots are allocated. Phillips, Ogbah, Bell and Kamara seem like locks, especially with the uncertainty of if/when Chubb returns. Duke Riley and Anthony Walker will be the two depth guys on the inside and should be on the roster. Last season, we started with only 6 LB’s, I think we have to carry at least 7, Phillips, Ogbah, Long, Brooks, Robinson, Bell and Kamara, and possibly one more.

It’s possible the depth we carry on defense affects the offense, like maybe we carry only 3 TE’s instead of 4, or 5 WR’s instead of 6. OBJ is making things difficult being unavailable, and WR Erik Ezukanma limped off the field last game. He’s a guy that needs to suit up and play well, he looked great in the last game, so impressive, but the injuries are a real issue. He flashed early last season before going on IR after just 2 games. WR River Cracraft left the game banged up after catching a beautiful touchdown pass from Tua, so his availability is up in the air, but I think unless it’s more serious, Cracraft has earned a roster spot. I think rookie Malik Washington should have a roster spot as well due to his return ability which could put veteran Braxton Berrios in danger. I hope Ezukanma is healthy enough to go and his injury doesn’t keep him out long, because he brings something no other wide receiver we have on the roster brings, tough run after catch ability and size. Yes, TE Jonnu Smith gives you that too, but more options please!

GO DOLPHINS!!!