The Miami Dolphins’ 2020 roster will have no shortage of rookies in the fold — after the team cuts down to a 53-man roster size at the end of training camp, the Dolphins should expect to see nearly all of their 11-man rookie class make the final cuts. The one lingering question mark is the team’s final pick: RB/WR/KR Malcolm Perry. Assume Perry makes the roster and leaves the Dolphins with 20% of their opening day roster as 2020 rookies — how many should we expect to start?
The Dolphins will have plenty of snaps to go around and the team should expect plenty of members of their rookie class to acquire experience. But that doesn’t mean a starting gig is going to be in play for them all. Even Miami’s 1st-round picks may not be considered locks to open the season.
So what is a safe number?
The Dolphins have massive voids along the offensive line — it feels safe to assume that both OT Austin Jackson and OL Robert Hunt will secure gigs on the line, Jackson at left tackle and Hunt at either right tackle or right guard. The options there are just so unappealing for the Dolphins if not for the rookies and Miami’s early investment in both as top-40 players seems to indicate that the team envisions them learning on the job and commanding reps quickly.
And if the Dolphins defense runs as much nickel as we expect they will, it is likely that fellow 1st-round pick Noah Igbinoghene commands a starting role as well. His value as a press man defender and alley defender against the run is difficult to overlook; he’s going to give Miami the flexibility needed to get exotic in box.
The ultimate wildcard is, of course, Tua Tagovailoa. His status and availability will be highly speculated — but considering the new pieces on the offensive line in 2020 and the presence of an offensive coordinator in Chan Gailey who is highly familiar with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, it feels premature to project Tagovailoa to the starting lineup at this point in time.
Consider Miami down for three rookie starters come opening day at this point in time — that should be the floor. But there’s certainly room to grow from there if a few rookies blow this coaching staff out of the water come training camp.