OFFENSE
QB (4) – Chad Henne, Chad Pennington (RE-SIGNED, injured), Tyler Thigpen, Pat White
The Dolphins have never carried four quarterback into the regular season, and I doubt they would unless Pennington, who is five months into rehabbing his surgically repaired right shoulder (or another of the quarterbacks) begins 2010 on the PUP. Thigpen, whom the Dolphins acquired for a 5th round pick, has trade value.
RB (6) – Ronnie Brown (TENDERED, injured), Ricky Williams, Patrick Cobbs (injured), Lex Hilliard, Kory Sheets, Tristan Davis
FB (2) – Lousaka Polite, Rolly Lumbala (CFL import)
Brown will likely be back considering his tender would cost any suitors a first-round pick, and he’s recovering from a Lisfranc injury that might keep him out of the offseason conditioning program and summer workouts. Cobbs’ practice status also isn’t certain.
WR (8) - Ted Ginn Jr., Brian Hartline, Patrick Turner, Julius Pruitt
WR – Greg Camarrilo, Davon Bess (EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENT), Taurus Johnson, Ryan Grice-Mullen (CFL Import)
The Dolphins have one vacancy at receiver, and are looking for a ”chunk yards weapon” who can produce yards after catch plays. There’s also speculation the Dolphins have put out feelers on Ravens veteran Derrick Mason, and had exploratory talks about Tampa Bay receiver Antonio Bryant.
TE (4) – Anthony Fasano (TENDERED), Joey Haynos (EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENT), Kory Sperry, John Nalbone
There are plenty of players at tight end, and all four could blossom and show drastic improvements, but the Dolphins still need a tight end like David Martin who can stretch the field.
Offensive Line (13)
LT – Jake Long (injured), Andrew Gardner
LG – Justin Smiley, Ray Feinga
C – Jake Grove, Joe Berger, Andrew Hartline
RG – Nate Garner, Donald Thomas, Dimitri Tsoumpas (CFL import)
RT – Vernon Carey (Injured), Lydon Murtha (Injured), SirVincent Rodgers
This is the Dolphins’ deepest unit, but there are still a couple of holes. The backup tackles need to step up and show they are developing. While Nate Garner and Donald Thomas will compete for the starting right guard spot, finding a veteran backup for Justin Smiley would be idea.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line (8)
LE – Kendall Langford, Lionel Dotson, Ikaika Alama-Francis
NT – Paul Soliai, Tony McDaniel, Ryan Baker
RE – Randy Starks, Phillip Merling
Outside of Starks and Langford, every member of the defensive line unit merits a question mark. Soliai’s stint as Jason Ferguson’s replacement proves he’s not an ideal starting nose tackle. Merling hasn’t lived up to his draft status, and Lionel Dotson hasn’t done anything in his two seasons.
Linebackers (9)
SLB – Cameron Wake, Erik Walden, Brian Johnston
MIKE ILB – Karlos Dansby, J.D. Folsom
MOE ILB – Channing Crowder (Injured), Reggie Torbor
WLB – Charlie Anderson, Quentin Moses (TENDERED)
Unless the Dolphins are prepared to go into this season with Charlie Anderson and Cameron Wake as their starting outside linebacker, upgrading this position should be high on the priority list. Jason Taylor hopes to return, and this team could use his leadership. But even if he returns it’s highly likely that the Dolphins will double down on linebackers (one inside, and one outside) in the 2010 draft.
Secondary(8)
CB – Vontae Davis, Will Allen (Injured)
CB – Sean Smith, Jason Allen
FS – Chris Clemons, Nate Ness
SS - Yeremiah Bell, Tyrone Culver
Gibril Wilson’s release creates a glaring hole that Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who is visiting the team Monday, might be signed to address. Chris Clemons has promise, but it’s unlikely that he’s ready to handle a starting r role just yet. Nate Jones’ signing with Denver means the Dolphins need to add another cornerback, and they’ll likely do so in the draft, adding a young player who should become a core special teams contributor.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
P – Brandon Fields
LS – John Denney
K – Dan Carpenter (EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENT)
Returners – Ted Ginn Jr., Davone Bess
Considering Ginn has been on the trade block for a while, it’s possible he could be moved before or during April’s draft. But don’t under estimate his value as a returner, and the fact he’s the only receiver that can stretch the field, keeping safeties honest. Bess was an average returner, which means it would be ideal if the Dolphins select a receiver like Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard or USC’s Damian Williams who brings value as a returner.
