Miami Dolphins depth chart (2010 - early edition)

> Posted by Omar Kelly on January 14, 2010 01:55 PM

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_fo ... -2009.html

The most popular question asked about this time of year is: What do you think the Miami Dolphins will do in the NFL draft?

Truth is, at this point it's an impossible question to answer. We haven't even gotten to free agency yet folks. Pause!

But it's not too difficult to determine the team's needs heading into this offseason.

The best way to do that is to identify where the holes are on the Dolphins' present day roster, which was and still is significantly altered by injuries, and mildly depleted by impending free agents.

Only then can we predict the areas where upgrades to the Miami Dolphins roster are needed in 2010.

Here is a predraft and pre-free agency look at the roster. Players who have started at their position for more than five games in 2009 are in bold. Free agents and injured players are singled out with their injury status, and free agency designation.

To get a more in-depth look at the Dolphins' 2010 free agents and a summary of their outlook check out this breakdown by clicking on the link.

OFFENSE

QB - Chad Henne, Pat White (R), Tyler Thigpen

Free agent: Chad Pennington had his throwing arm surgically repaired in October, but should be able to throw a football by the spring.

RB - Ricky Williams, Lex Hilliard, Kory Sheets (R), Tristan Davis (R - practice squad in 2009)

Injured - Ronnie Brown's Lisfranc fracture he suffered to his right foot on Nov. 15th requires 6 months minimum of rehab, depending on the severity of the foot injury. Patrick Cobbs' torn left ACL he suffered on Oct. 12th requires 8-12 months of rehabilitation.

FB - Lousaka Polite, Rolly Lumbala (CFL import)

WR - Ted Ginn Jr., Brian Hartline (R), Patrick Turner (R), Julius Pruitt (R- practice squad in 2009)

WR - Greg Camarillo, Taurus Johnson (R- practice squad in 2009), Ryan Grice-Mullen (CFL import)

Exclusive rights free agent: Davone Bess.

Injured - Rookie WR Brennan Marion (torn ACL) spent all of last season on the IR, and the Dolphins still own his rights.

TE - Kory Sperry (R), John Nalbone (R- practice squad in 2009)

Restricted free agent: Anthony Fasano; Exclusive rights free agent: Joey Haynos


LT - Jake Long, Andrew Gardner (R)

RT - Vernon Carey,

Injured - Rookie OT Lydon Murtha suffered an ankle injury in early December and was placed on the IR.

LG - Justin Smiley, Ray Feinga (R- practice squad)

RG - Nate Garner, Donald Thomas, Dimitri Tsoumpas (CFL import)

C - Jake Grove, Joe Berger, Andrew Hartline (R)


DEFENSE


LE - Kendall Langford, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Lionel Dotson

NT - Paul Soliai, Tony McDaniel, Ryan Baker (R)

Free agent: Jason Ferguson (facing 6-to-8 months of rehab for a quadriceps injury he suffered in mid-November, and is also unsigned.

RE - Randy Starks, Phillip Merling


SLB - Cameron Wake, Erik Walden, Brian Johnston (CFL import)

Free agent: Jason Taylor; Restricted free agent: Quentin Moses

WLB - Joey Porter, Charlie Anderson

ILB - Reggie Torbor

ILB - Akin Ayodele, J.D. Folsom (R- practice squad in 2009)

Injured: Channing Crowder - He suffered a broken foot on Dec. 27th and says he'll be running in by mid-February after being on crutches for two more weeks, and in a walking boot for another two.

LCB - Vontae Davis (R)

RCB - Sean Smith (R), Jason Allen

Unrestricted free agent: Nate Jones

Injured: Will Allen's ACL tear he suffered on Oct. 4th to his left knee requires 8-12 months of rehabilitation.

FS - Gibril Wilson, Chris Clemons (R), Nate Ness (R - practice squad in 2009)

SS - Yeremiah Bell, Tyrone Culver

SPECIAL TEAMS

P - Brandon Fields

LS - John Denney

Exclusive rights free agent: Dan Carpenter


What free agent, injury, unit, position, concerns you the most this offseason?

Deuces.

For me, it is wide receiver and inside linebacker.

If we are going to ask Henne to throw the ball 55+ times a game, how about getting a true #1 wide receiver....ya' think? Hartline was great as a #2.....he led the team in yards per catch and TD's.

Crowder and Torbor did not get it done this year at all. Ayodele is adequate at best. The poor performance by our inside linebackers certainly didn't do our safeties any favors.....and our safeties are another weak spot.

I would like to see another safety in the middle rounds......or free agency. I still don't know whether or not Clemons or Culver can step in as starters though....that is a question you have to answer when addressing the need for a safety in the first two rounds.

There is room for improvement at most positions when you look at the current depth chart. Obviously the Phins can fill some of the holes through free agency. But there are still a lot of positions that need help/upgrading on this team.