The Miami Dolphins have to figure what to do with 11 wide receivers before the start of the regular season in September. With Legedu Naanee, Davone Bess and Julius Pruitt all but guaranteed spots on the 53-man roster, that leaves eight players vying for, at most, four places on the depth chart, according to Kevin Nogle of The Phinsider.
Marlon Moore, Jeff Fuller, Rishard Matthews, Roberto Wallace, Brian Hartline, B.J. Cunningham, Chris Hogan and Clyde Gates have all made different cases to make the team. Hogan may be the most intriguing player on that list, especially for those keeping up with HBO's Hard Knocks. After bouncing around practice squads last season, he has earned the nickname "7-Eleven" from teammates for his ability to get open and stay open. Hogan is still raw, but he has done everything to endear himself during training camp.
Fellow bubble receivers like Gates and Moore have had a harder time. Gates has elite speed, but his route-running and hands have been an issue in practice. Moore has been listed on the second-string depth chart in camp, but has been outperformed consistently and is in danger of a precipitous drop off the team altogether. Nogle predicts the two, along with Matthews, will ultimately be looking for a new team once final cuts are made.
Here's how Nogle sees the wide receiver situation playing out:
- 53-man roster: Bess, Naanee, Wallace, Pruitt, Hartline, Hogan
- Practice Squad: Fuller, Cunningham
- Released: Gates, Moore, Matthews
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