Dolphins Set Initial 53-Man Roster
The Dolphins have joined the club of teams to officially get down to 53 players on cutdown day. Here’s the list of of players from Miami that will be looking for new homes in the coming days:
Placed on season-ending IR:
Released:
- LB Josh Harvey-Clemons
- CB Cre’von LeBlanc
- OT Adam Pankey
- C Cameron Tom
Waived:
- CB Javaris Davis
- RB Gerrid Doaks
- CB Tino Ellis
- LB Shaquem Griffin
- LB Kylan Johnson
- DT Benito Jones
- RB Patrick Laird
- DE Jonathan Ledbetter
- WR Kai Locksley
- WR Kirk Merritt
- LB Calvin Munson
- TE Chris Myarick
- WR Malcolm Perry
- OG Durval Queiroz Neto
- RB Jordan Scarlett
- QB Reid Sinnett
- DE Jason Strowbridge
There are some reasonably big names on this list, including LeBlanc and Harvey-Clemons among the vested veterans getting outright released. LeBlanc played a sizable role in the Eagles’ secondary last season, and started nine games for the Bears as a rookie back in 2016. Harvey-Clemons was a decent-sized part of Washington’s defense in 2018, but his role was reduced in 2019 before he opted out of the 2020 seasons.
You’ll likely recognize some of the waiver cuts as well, including Griffin. The brother of star cornerback Shaquill Griffin, the linebacker was attempting to make the team after a few years with the Seahawks. Laird started four games for the Dolphins in 2019 and received 62 carries that year, but he was mainly a special teams guy last season.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/6/21
We’ll keep track of the latest reserve/futures deals here:
Arizona Cardinals
- TE Ian Bunting, G Deion Calhoun, DT Michael Dogbe, WR Rico Gafford, G Sean Harlow, WR Krishawn Hogan, K Brett Maher, G Koda Martin, S Chris Miller, DE Shareef Miller, RB Khalfani Muhammad, CB Picasso Nelson, DT David Parry, WR A.J. Richardson, LB Terrance Smith, LB Reggie Walker, WR JoJo Ward, LB Evan Weaver, WR Isaac Whitney, CB Jace Whittaker
Denver Broncos
Indianapolis Colts
- CB Nick Nelson, TE Jordan Thomas
Las Vegas Raiders
- TE Nick Bowers, K Dominik Eberle, DB Rashaan Gaulden, DE Gerri Green, OL Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL Erik Magnuson, LS Liam McCullough, LB James Onwualu, DT Niles Scott, OT Kamaal Seymour, CB Kemah Siverand, LB Javin White
Miami Dolphins
- DE Nick Coe, S Brian Cole, CB Javaris Davis, CB Tino Ellis, C Tyler Gauthier, LB Kylan Johnson, WR Kirk Merritt, TE Chris Myarick, OG Durval Queiroz Neto, DE Tyshun Render, QB Reid Sinnett, LS Rex Sunahara
New England Patriots
New York Giants
- RB Jordan Chunn
San Francisco 49ers
- TE Chase Harrell, DB Jared Mayden
Dolphins Add 10 UDFAs
The Dolphins announced a 10-man UDFA class Wednesday. Here is the full list:
- Matt Cole, WR (McKendree)
- Jonathan Hubbard, T (Northwestern State)
- Kylan Johnson, LB (Pittsburgh)
- Benito Jones, DT (Ole Miss)
- Nick Kaltmayer, T (Kansas State)
- Ray Lima, DT (Iowa State)
- Kirk Merritt, WR (Arkansas State)
- Tyshun Render, DE (Middle Tennessee)
- Donell Stanley, C (South Carolina)
- Bryce Sterk, DE (Montana State)
The Dolphins saw 2019 UDFA Preston Williams make an impact as a rookie and will give two more a shot. A Washington transfer, Sterk recorded a Division I-FCS-best 15 sacks last season. Cole averaged 21.8 yards per catch for his Division II program last season. Merritt, who also played at Oregon, caught 153 passes for 1,811 yards and 19 touchdowns between his junior and senior seasons at the FCS level.
Jones started three seasons for Ole Miss and led SEC nose tackles with 30 stops last season. He finished with 10.5 career sacks as well. Staley started three seasons for the Gamecocks, making 23 starts at center and 11 at left guard. The Dolphins will guarantee $65K of Render’s salary, with $15K coming via signing bonus, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). Render forced two fumbles and recorded 3.5 sacks last season.