McGraw Is Officially Up, And The Dolphins Are Making Big Roster Calls Nobody Saw Coming

Rodney McGraw just got the call, officially moving up to the Miami Dolphins’ 53-man roster straight from their practice squad. This wasn’t some quiet background maneuver either; Miami made a bunch of roster moves that dropped today, showing they’re not afraid to shake things up mid-season.

McGraw’s Rise: More Than Just a Practice Squad Bump?

This isn’t a shot in the dark for McGraw. The edge rusher has already been getting some real game action, appearing in the Dolphins’ last two contests. He’s been putting in work too, seeing 18 percent of the defensive snaps and a solid 54 percent of special teams snaps in those games. The dude’s clearly making an impact when he’s out there, racking up five total tackles and even getting a quarterback hit. You don’t get that kind of playing time and production from the practice squad without earning it. This move feels like a reward for that hustle, and maybe a sign they see him contributing even more moving forward.

Kicker Carousel and Defensive Shuffle

Of course, roster moves are rarely isolated, and the Dolphins made a few more that hit the wire today. To make room for McGraw, kicker Riley Patterson was released. But hold up, they weren’t done with the kicking position. Zane Gonzalez is joining the team, heading straight to the practice squad. So, a new kicker in the pipeline, but the starting spot could definitely be up for grabs or just be a strategic depth move. On the defensive side, cornerback Storm Duck and edge rusher Andre Jones Jr. were also waived. It’s a clear signal Miami is tweaking their depth, trying to find the right pieces for their squad right now.

These kinds of mid-season shuffles show a team constantly evaluating and adjusting. What does this mean for the Dolphins’ special teams, or their pass rush depth? We’ll be watching to see how McGraw steps up in his new full-time role and what these other changes mean for Miami’s next game.

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.