The Miami Dolphins lost to the Atlanta Falcons last night, ending a rough preseason schedule for the South Florida franchise. Miami is in the early stages of a rebuild – even if head coach Jeff Hafley does not like to use that specific term – with the roster moving from a veteran-heavy, win-now past into one dominated by young players who will grow together into the nucleus of a (hopefully) consistent winner. It was not the best start, as Miami struggled to score points throughout the summer and were seemingly overmatched nearly every time they faced an opponent – both in preseason games and in training camp joint practices.

Before the game, I presented five players to watch. I focused on bubble players who likely needed to make an impact to secure their spot on the 53-man regular-season roster. Teams must drop to the new limit, down from the preseason 90-player tolerance, by 6 p.m. on Sunday. Did any of the players have a performance that locks them onto the roster – or a performance that eliminates them from making it to the 53?

We revisit my players to watch this afternoon.

Defensive tackle Fatorma Mulbah

Pre-game: Mulbah went undrafted out of West Virginia in 2025 and signed with the New York Jets. He did not make the roster out of the preseason and spent time on the practice squad during the year. He signed with the Dolphins at the start of August, and he has made an impact quickly. Mulbah has been a force in the middle of the line, especially against the run. He is not perfect and he has growth that still needs to happen, but with a strong performance against the Falcons, he could force Miami to keep him on the roster rather than risking having him claimed off waivers by another team.

Revisit: Mulbah only played eight snaps in the game, and I do not think I noticed him on any of those plays. He is likely fighting for a roster spot with veteran Matthew Butler, who played 31 snaps. It does not look like Mulbah did enough to force his way onto the roster and he is likely headed to the practice squad.

Pre-game: I have gone back and forth on projecting Herman to make the roster, with him on the wrong side of the cut line in today’s 53-man roster projection. He has been solid as a lead blocker, in pass protection, and as an outlet option in the passing game. A linebacker in college, Herman has made the adjustment to being a fullback and he is doing it well enough to force the Dolphins to at least consider using a roster spot to keep him. Tight end Ben Sims, who is listed as the first team fullback on the depth chart, has missed time and Herman has taken advantage of the opportunity. A strong performance on Friday, especially if he makes a special teams play, could land him on the right side of the cut line.

Revisit: Herman was on the field for 24 plays, giving him a fair share of experience in the contest. When you consider that Herman is a fullback, 24 snaps might actually be a decent snap count for a regular-season game. He had an awful drop against the Falcons, one that he has to correct, but he has had a solid training camp and preseason as a whole. He may not have done enough to guarantee a roster spot, but he did not eliminate himself from consideration. The biggest factor in Herman making the roster may be the health of tight end Ben Sims, who was working as a fullback ahead of Herman before a toe injury sidelined him. If Sims is going to miss playing time early this year, Herman makes the roster. If Sims will be ready in Week 1, Herman may be headed to the practice squad.

Defensive end Cameron Goode

Pre-game: The numbers seem to be against Goode making the roster this year, but the 2022 seventh-round pick could change that tonight. Primarily a special teams player, if he can make an impact during the game, he might force his way onto the roster. He has been fine during training camp, but fine might not be good enough to justify a roster position. Stepping up tonight might be a requirement for Goode to stay with the team another year.

Revisit: Goode is likely relying on his special teams play to lock him into a roster spot this year after not really doing much on defense against the Falcons. He was on the field for 17 plays, and, according to Pro Football Focus, had six pass rush opportunities but came away with no pressures. He did have a special teams tackle, but I do not think it was enough to make the roster.

Safety Major Burns / Lonnie Johnson / Louis Moore

Pre-game: I am absolutely cheating here by putting all three players in one spot on my five players to watch, but it is because there really is not any separation between them at this point. One of the three of them will make the roster as the fourth safety on the depth chart – which one could be determined tonight. Johnson has dealt with an injury this summer, Burns has flashed but may not be as consistent, and Moore is a rookie trying to go from undrafted to the roster.

Revisit: This one is a little more direct comparison. One of the three should make the roster, but which one? Burns played 31 snaps, the third-most on the defense for the Dolphins, while Moore was in on 23 plays and Johnson appeared on 17 plays. Burns and Johnson each recorded two tackles while Moore had one. Based on snap counts, Burns might have a slight lead in the race to the roster, but it does not feel definitive. I think Moore is probably headed to the practice squad while I think Burns does make the 53 – but as I said before the game, there is not any separation between the three.

Offensive lineman Charlie Heck

Pre-game: The Dolphins likely signed Heck as a free agent to serve as the swing tackle and primary game-day backup for both Patrick Paul at left tackle and Austin Jackson at right tackle. He has been inconsistent all summer and he has done everything except claim that role. I do not have him making the roster right now, but a strong performance tonight could change that. Heck could find help in the roster math if guard Josh Priebe sees playing time at center and plays well, that could lead Miami to releasing center Andrew Meyer and open a roster spot for Heck. It might be a backdoor way to make the roster, but it would still land him on the roster.

Revisit: I think Heck did enough to push him onto the roster. He played in 19 snaps and, while he was not perfect, he was solid enough while guard Josh Priebe may have played himself off the roster, giving Heck the space needed. Priebe, who played the most snaps on offense for Miami, had a rough outing, both at guard and as a backup center and may now be headed back to the practice squad.