The Miami Dolphins cut 21 players and put one on the physically unable to perform list Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Here's a closer look at the final cuts:
Most significant move: Miami boosted its offensive line depth this offseason. The Dolphins drafted first-round pick Laremy Tunsil and signed several veterans in Jermon Bushrod, Kraig Urbik and Sam Young. But those additions meant someone with NFL starting experience had to get cut Saturday. Those two players were Young and 2015 fourth-round pick Jamil Douglas. Young started 13 career games with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Douglas started six games as a rookie last season. But neither player did enough to make the team with Miami’s revamped offensive line.
Most significant non-move: The Dolphins opted to keep five running backs, which is unusual. They had six players with the potential to make the final roster in Arian Foster, Jay Ajayi, Isaiah Pead, Damien Williams, Daniel Thomas and rookie Kenyan Drake. All of these players flashed this summer. So narrowing it down to three or four players would have been tough. In the end, the team decided to cut just one tailback in Thomas, although that may change in the next week.
Mild surprise: Veteran defensive tackle Chris Jones was an early standout in training camp. The former New England Patriot worked his way up to the second team and even pushed second-year defensive tackle Jordan Phillips for a few reps with the starters in practice. Jones also started Miami’s final preseason game. But that wasn’t enough to keep Jones around Saturday. The potential return of defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, who missed all of preseason with a calf injury, likely made Jones expendable.
Practice squad possibilities: The Dolphins cut several players they could want on their practice squad. Among them are tight end Thomas Duarte and undrafted receiver Rashawn Scott. Both players flashed this summer but didn't do enough to earn a roster spot. Miami would like to reclaim both young players, if they clear waivers, and give them more time to develop.
Dolphins moves: CB Chimdi Chekwa, LB James-Michael Johnson, TE Dominique Jones, DT Chris Jones, OT Sam Young, S Shamiel Gary, DE Cedric Reed, DE Cleyon Laing, QB Zac Dysert, RB Daniel Thomas, OL Jamil Douglas, WR Rashawn Scott, TE Thomas Duarte, LB James Burgess, LB Tyler Gray, CB Rashaan Melvin, S A.J. Hendy, DE Jordan Williams, CB Lafayette Pitts, DE Deandre Coleman, OL Ulrick John, CB Chris Culliver to PUP.