Based on everything I have heard about Fall camp I thought I would crank out a depth chart just for the heck of it. Most of the following is a reflection of how I think these battles will shake out based on information from here. Some however (Depth at DE) will be what I would like to see or what I think would be a good idea.
OFFENSE
QB. D'erique King/Tyler Van Dyke/Jake Garcia
RB. Cam Harris/Don Chaney/Jaylan Knighton/Cody Brown/Thad Franklin
LT. Zion Nelson/DJ Scaife
LG. Jalen Rivers/ Justice Oluwaseun
C. Corey Gaynor/Cleveland Reed
RG. Navaughn Donaldson/Ousman Traore
RT. Jarrid Williams/DJ Scaife
TE. Will Mallory/Elijah Arroyo/Dom Mamerelli
WR. C. Rambo/Mike Redding/Romello Brinson
SlotWR. Mike Harley/X. Restrepo/Mark Pope/D. Wiggins
WR. Keyshawn Smith/Jacolby George/B. Smith
DEFENSE
DE. D. Johnson/Zach McCloud/Sam Brooks
DT. Jordan Miller/Nesta Silvera/Quinton Williams
DT. Jon Ford/Jared Harrison Hunte/Leonard Taylor*
DE. Jafari Harvey/Chantz Williams/Elijah Roberts
STR. Gil Frierson/Amari Carter/Chase Smith
MLB. Corey Flagg/T. Austin-Cave*/B. Jennings
WLB. Keontra Smith/W. Steed/Avery Huff
S. Bubba Bolden/K. Kinchens/B.Balom
S. Gurvan Hall/James Williams*/K. Washington
CB. T. Stevenson/Isaiah Dunson/Al Blades
CB. DJ. Ivey/TeCory Couch/ Marcus Clarke
NB. TeCory Couch/Marcus Clarke
This is a talented, experienced and somewhat deep team that should win 10+ games this season including post season.
QB is rock solid and this is the best top 3 Miami has had since the 80's. King is a special player and leader.
RB is loaded. Enough said.
WR is loaded. Much of that is based on projections of fulfilled potential like Redding, K.Smith, X and the 3 freshman but Im still saying we're loaded. That's a ton of speed and talent.
OL should be very good and improved. There is a ton of experience here but depth took a hit with Clark recovering from injury and Campbell out for the season. There is some very intriguing young talent for the future here. Walker, Rodriguez, Washington, McLaughlin and Seymore will be fun to watch to see how they develop.
TE is in great shape with Mallory and Arroyo
As long as the OL does its job this offense should crank out yards and points. Overall this will be an exciting up tempo pass first offense with a ton of weapons. Expect to score and score a lot.
The DE position is a bit up in the air but I believe that this workmanlike group will get better and better throughout the season. They are young and unproven for the most part but there is some talent here without question. This group will benefit greatly from Simpson's coaching and ability to develop players.
Elijah Roberts needs to move to DE full time for this year. He is desperately needed there. Some may disagree but I believe that the staff should move Sam Brooks to DE immediately. I think that the depth situation demands it and I think that Brooks could find a permanent home there. Brooks excels at rushing the passer and in pursuit plus he has put on some very good weight, muscle and strength. Brooks to DE would consist of a situational role as a pass rusher this season. Next off season he can focus on putting on more weight and learning the finer points of the position.
The DT rotation is very solid and experienced. Leonard Taylor will take the group to another level. It wont take long for Taylor to claim a starting spot. I made an edit here because apparently the starting 2 seem to be Ford and Miller for now. Expect the competition at DT to be absolutely insane both leading up to and during the season. Expect different starting combinations until Simpson/Diaz figure out what works best.
The LB position is still a bit shaky and is in a state of transition but like the defense as a whole I expect this group to get better and better as the season goes on. Keontra Smith will solidify WLB. My big take here is Tirek Austin-Cave will take the starting job at MLB at some point during the season if he can stay healthy. Before he got hurt he was coming on like nobody's business which may have been the best news I heard all camp. Flagg, Steed, Huff and Jennings provide depth with Flagg most likely starting at MLB at the beginning of the year.
The Striker position is deep with Frierson, Carter and Smith.
Safety is a deep position. Bolden is the alpha here. James Williams will take Hall's job before the end of the season. Kamren Kinchens reminds me of a more athletic Jaquan Johnson. Kinchens has 5 picks this fall which leads the team. Losing Avantae hurt but we will be more than fine. I'm also very interested in how much Brian Balom has developed since the last time he got significant playing time. K. Washington seems like a tough hard working player who just does his job. I truly hope that Gurvan Hall starts to come into his own but Im not holding my breath. I want to see Bolden take the next step and put it all together into a truly memorable season.
CB boasts a very good and experienced group in Stevenson, Ivey, Couch and Blades. Dunson and Clarke are excellent depth. Stevenson is the lynchpin here. Look for Ivey to surprise many this year. Look for Couch to have a huge season. Keep an eye on Marcus Clarke. That kid can play.
Overall the best team Miami has fielded in 15+ years. 10+ wins is a must.