MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins open the 2024 regular season at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 8.
Third-year coach Mike McDaniel has won 20 games over his first two seasons with the Dolphins but is still looking for the one this franchise has been waiting 24 years for -- a playoff win. Miami has made consecutive postseasons for the first time since 2001 but has not won a playoff game since the 2000 season.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returns after leading the NFL in passing last season, but he is entrenched in a contract negotiation with the team that left him visibly "antsy" during mandatory minicamp. On the field, the Dolphins' offense remains intact from a unit that led the league in yards a season ago. Defensively, Miami parted ways with six key contributors in free agency, including four starters. Under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins hope to improve on their top-10 defense from a year ago.
Here is a 53-man roster projection as the Dolphins open training camp.
QUARTERBACKS (2): Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White
Tagovailoa's contract is a hot topic entering training camp, but both sides are confident in a deal eventually getting done; his roster spot isn't in jeopardy. White and Skylar Thompson will compete to be the primary backup, while the other likely serves as the team's emergency quarterback.
RUNNING BACKS (4): Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Chris Brooks
Mostert and Achane lead the way after impressive 2023 campaigns, while Wright's draft status beats out veterans Jeff Wilson Jr. and Salvon Ahmed. Brooks lands on the initial roster as the bruising back the room otherwise lacks.
FULLBACKS (1): Alec Ingold
A team captain and critical lead blocker, Ingold is one of the Dolphins' most important players at a position that has lost its luster around the league.
WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, Malik Washington, Erik Ezukanma
The first three are locks, while Berrios makes the cut as the team's primary returner. The rookie Washington will compete for reps out of the slot but is a promising prospect. Ezukanma has failed to make a discernible impact during his first two seasons but brings a size element that the room doesn't have otherwise.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Durham Smythe, Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill
Smythe and Smith are locks as the team's top tight ends, and Hill is the Dolphins' best blocker at the position. Free agent signee Jody Fortson Jr. flashed potential during spring practices and could make the roster as an injury replacement.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Terron Armstead, Isaiah Wynn, Aaron Brewer, Robert Jones, Austin Jackson, Kendall Lamm, Patrick Paul, Liam Eichenberg, Lester Cotton
Miami introduces new starters at center and right guard. Brewer will start at center; Eichenberg, Jones and Cotton will compete for the open guard spot. Lamm operates as the team's primary swing tackle as second-round pick Paul learns from the veterans ahead of him.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (5): Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell, Teair Tart, Brandon Pili, Da'Shawn Hand
Sieler and Campbell are impact players and roster locks. Tart likely is as well, but there's a deep group to choose from and it will be a competition worth monitoring over the next month.
LINEBACKERS (10): Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, Shaquil Barrett, Mohamed Kamara, Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Anthony Walker Jr., Duke Riley, Channing Tindall
It remains to be seen whether Phillips and Chubb will be healthy enough to participate in training camp. One or both could start the season on the PUP list or injured reserve. Robinson, this year's first-round pick, should get plenty of reps in camp, but don't sleep on fifth-round pick Kamara. Former third-round pick Tindall enters a critical summer after failing to stand out in his first two seasons and could be left off the initial roster with a subpar camp.
CORNERBACKS (4): Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Cam Smith
Ramsey and Fuller project as the starting outside corners, while Kohou mans the slot position. Needham has cross-trained at safety but was a multiple-year starter at slot corner and will likely play both positions this season. Smith had a disappointing rookie season but believes he will bounce back in year two after putting on weight in the offseason.
SAFETIES (5): Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Nik Needham, Siran Neal, Marcus Maye
Holland is locked-in as a starter, but the Dolphins quietly built a deep safeties room this offseason, with Poyer and Maye headlining their offseason additions at the position. Neal is a capable defensive player but probably will make his largest impact on special teams, where he is a star.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Jason Sanders, Jake Bailey, Reid Ferguson
Sanders seemingly shook off his struggles from range last season, making 5 of 7 attempts from 50-plus yards after connecting on just 4-of-12 such attempts in his previous two seasons. Bailey returns as does Ferguson, who is one of the Dolphins' longest-tenured players.