The focus over the next few days will be rightfully centered on which Miami Dolphins are going to make the team’s active roster. With cuts looming and every team looking to get to 53 active players, it will be a busy few days of transactions. But for the Dolphins, a team with so much youth on their roster, the designated practice squad spots will be important, too. Especially with the expanded practice squad spaces and the ability to flex practice squad players up to the active roster on game day, Miami will have to walk the line between retaining young developmental talent and keeping capable players “on call”.
Who are Miami’s best bets on the offensive side of the ball? Here are several names who stand out as good candidates.
OG Deion Calhoun
Calhoun started games for the Dolphins last season after latching on with the team as a UDFA. His level of play wasn’t inspirational but the team knows him well and his limitations are well established with the team — so if he is indeed called into action, Miami will know what should and should not be expected of him. And he’s still very young, so there’s hope for improvement.
WR Kirk Merritt
Merritt is an A+ athlete who offers developmental upside for the team. This is strictly a stash for the future, Merritt isn’t likely to get the call on game days, especially with how much extra attention Miami has paid to wide receivers in free agency over the past month. If Merritt were game ready, they’d likely have pushed him up the depth chart.
TE Chris Myarick
Myarick stood out in the 2019 preseason. It would have been great to see his progress in exhibitions this summer, but that simply wasn’t meant to be. Miami added TE Adam Shaheen via trade and that will likely keep Myarick as the developmental tight end, but this is a position that often takes some time to get settled into the pro game. Myarick was a rookie in 2019, so he’s still young and has plenty of growth ahead of him.
RB Salvon Ahmed
The Dolphins just plucked Ahmed off the waiver wire from San Francisco and as a result you would have to think the team has seen something here they’d like to work with. But the numbers game of the backfield isn’t looking promising for Ahmed to make the active roster, so he’s a sensible stash on the practice squad if the Dolphins can push him through the waiver wire.
OT Jonathan Hubbard
Offensive line depth, specifically at offensive tackle, is a must. Hubbard is a small school rookie from Northwestern State and needs some time in an NFL strength and conditioning program — the Dolphins can offer him that on the practice squad in 2020.
WR Gary Jennings
Jennings hasn’t been able to move the needle this summer relative to some of the other contenders for a bottom of the wide receiver depth chart. Isaiah Ford is likely ahead of him and thanks to special teams we may also see the Dolphins covet Mack Hollins over Jennings as well. A former 4th-round pick, Jennings should get continued time and patience if the Dolphins can secure him on the practice squad.
OL Keaton Sutherland
Sutherland is a two-year veteran and logged two starts with the Dolphins last season. Like Calhoun, he’s a familiar face and the Dolphins will need to ensure they have depth on the offensive line on call in the event that a player is unexpectedly unavailable due to a positive coronavirus test. Sutherland makes a lot of sense to be that offensive linemen in the bullpen.
