The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins finished the first game of their 2025 NFL preseason on Sunday, coming away with a 24-24 tie against the Chicago Bears. The game featured Miami playing some of their starters, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but was dominated by the depth players seeing most of the snaps.
Did anyone make a statement in the game that earned them a spot in our newest projection of the team’s regular season opening 53-man roster? It is time to update the roster prediction.
Rookies in italics.
Tua Tagovailoa
Zach Wilson
Quinn Ewers
Changes: None.
No changes here. Ewers struggled – it really looked like he was pressing in his first NFL game – finishing with just a 48.1 passer rating. He is still going to make the roster, and hopefully will look better in the team’s next game against the Detroit Lions, but he showed some of the development that is still needed.
De’Von Achane
Jaylen Wright
Ollie Gordon II
Alec Ingold (Fullback)
Changes: Removed Alexander Mattison
Mattison’s injury shakes up this position and brings depth into question. The Dolphins are signing Aaron Shampklin, according to a report, but will he make it onto the roster? Unless Shampklin can make a lasting impression quickly, this feels like a position where Miami might look to final-roster cut players to make a signing.
Tyreek Hill
Jaylen Waddle
Malik Washington
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Tahj Washington
Dee Eskridge
Change: No change
The game did not have an impact on the wide receiver projection. Eskridge was only targeted once with no receptions, but he is making the roster primarily as a special teams returner at this point. Tagovailoa’s connection with Malik Washington was clear early in the game. Erik Ezukanma was targeted four times, with two receptions for 17 yards and could still fight his way back onto the roster.
Darren Waller
Tanner Conner
Pharaoh Brown
Changes: None.
There does not seem to have been enough in this game to make any further determination here. Julian Hill is still on the roster bubble and could climb back onto the roster, but he has been inconsistent throughout his time with the Dolphins, and it just feels like it is time to move on. Miami might look to address the depth at the position with players from other teams cut at the end of the preseason.
Patrick Paul
Jonah Savaiinaea
Aaron Brewer
James Daniels
Austin Jackson
Larry Borom
Kion Smith
Jackson Carman
Germain Ifedi
Changes: Add Ifedi
Miami started four of the five at the top of the depth chart, with Larry Borom filling in at right tackle for the injured Austin Jackson. The Dolphins are look to Borom to be the swing tackle, but he struggled on Sunday. Ifedi gets added onto the roster in the spot Mattison vacates, but there is likely a cut coming from among this group; more needs to be seen in...
