Each year, several veterans end up getting cut or traded by their teams before the start of the regular season. That will likely be the case this year for Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are hoping new coach Adam Gase can help deliver a better season in 2016 and the new coach could pick newer, younger players over veterans from the previous regime.
There are a few veterans who might end up not being on the Miami roster at the start of the season. That could come via a trade, or more likely, a release. With that in mind, here are three veterans who are on the bubble to make the Dolphins' roster.
RB Daniel Thomas
The former second round pick is in danger of not making the roster. Jay Ajayi is the clear starter, and this year's third rounder, Kenyan Drake, is the third down back. Damien Williams still looks like the No. 3 back. The Dolphins brought back Thomas this offseason, but will still need to beat out Isaiah Pead for the fourth RB spot, if the Dolphins carry four. There's also a decent chance the Dolphins go sign another RB (Arian Foster?), which would really hurt Thomas' chances for a job.
WR Griff Whalen
The Dolphins added Whalen in March, but there might not be a spot on the roster for him. DeVante Parker, Kenny Still, Jarvis Landry and Leonte Carroo are all guaranteed spots. There's also this years's sixth round pick Jakeem Grant and 2014 sixth rounder Matt Hazel. Whalen and Hazel will likely battle for the potential sixth WR spot. Despite Whalen's special teams abilities, he could end up looking for another new team.
OG Dallas Thomas
Thomas started all 16 games for the Dolphins last year, but there's a chance he won't even make the roster this season. Laremy Tunsil is going to start at one guard spot, leaving a massive battle for the other. Billy Turner, a 2014 third rounder, might be the favorite. Not far behind are offseason additions Jermon Bushrod and Kraig Urbik. That would leave Thomas as the team's fifth guard, ahead of only Jacques McClendon, and it'd be a surprise for Miami to carry five guards this year. It's high likely one of the veterans out of the Bushrod, Urbik and Thomas group, with the former 2013 third rounder the most likely.
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