With the 2022 NFL season quick approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a take a look at 10 storylines to observe for in a 10-part collection forward of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of coaching camp, which is about for Wednesday.
With the whole lot the Miami Dolphins added to their roster within the 2022 offseason, perhaps the one key merchandise on the want listing that wasn’t checked off was veteran inside linebacker.
Sure, one may argue a veteran middle is correct there on that listing, however the Dolphins are giving Connor Williams, a guard by way of his first 4 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, an opportunity to be the group’s beginning middle.
The Dolphins did ultimately handle inside linebacker by choosing Georgia’s Channing Tindall with a late third-round choose, No. 102 total, Miami’s first collection of this yr’s draft. Tindall, nonetheless, whereas possessing the pure velocity and athleticism Miami may use on the place, might have time to construct energy for the NFL stage and to study defensive coordinator Josh Boyer’s system.
Instead of going for prime free-agent linebackers Bobby Wagner, Myles Jack or Jordan Hicks, the Dolphins opted for continuity within the unit. Elandon Roberts, Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen had been all introduced again in free company to enhance defensive chief Jerome Baker within the linebacker corps.
A veteran improve in that group would’ve been best, but it surely spoke to the Dolphins’ want to take care of — not solely the core — however nearly your entire 2021 protection after its scorching second half carried the group from a 1-7 begin to seven straight wins and victories in eight of the final 9 to complete 9-8.
Baker has led the Dolphins in tackles for 3 years working, though his 92 tackles in 2021 marked the primary time he was beneath triple digits since his rookie marketing campaign. He runs sideline to sideline nicely along with his 6-foot-2, 225-pound body however may all the time stand to play extra bodily inside towards the run and repair some occasional lapses in protection.
Baker has additionally been a menace when despatched in on the blitz, registering 5 1/2 sacks in 2021. Instances the place Roberts and Riley had been lined up collectively inside allowed Baker to flash his versatility and slide out to play outdoors linebacker. It was an enormous adjustment that allowed the Dolphins protection to flummox the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson in a key November upset win final yr.
Roberts, a group captain every of his two seasons in Miami, is that bodily presence within the center and a tackling machine that racked up 83 tackles in 2021. A Brian Flores man going again to days in New England, Roberts stayed in Miami this offseason regardless of Flores’ firing as Boyer and linebackers coach Anthony Campanile additionally remained.
Riley’s capability to contribute within the rotation, found within the Oct. 31 loss at Buffalo the place Baker was held out, paid off in varied matchups over the Dolphins’ second-half streak.
Eguavoen and Calvin Munson will probably be amongst different linebackers competing for a roster spot in coaching camp after Eguavoen made the group final yr and performed in all 17 video games, totally on particular groups. He can play inside or outdoors.
Outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett was additionally re-signed within the offseason, and he labored in at defensive finish throughout the group’s offseason exercise program in a possible transfer that would unlock extra positional versatility in Miami’s defensive entrance.
Miami added extra depth on the sting, plus a veteran presence who has three Pro Bowls to his title, in Melvin Ingram. With him, Jaelan Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel, Baker getting reps on the skin and Scarlett or Eguavoen in a position to take snaps on the place, the Dolphins have loads there after additionally including California’s Cameron Goode as a seventh-round choose prior to now draft.
Inside, the Dolphins determined to stay fixed when an improve may’ve been within the works. Whether it results in play akin to the second half, or first half of final season, will go a great distance in figuring out if it was a worthwhile dedication or if Miami will want a speedy development from the Tindall or be in search of assist on the place once more quickly.
Previously addressed
Can Dolphins get identical manufacturing from Tyreek Hill in Miami?
Will Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer be capable to show he doesn’t want Brian Flores’ assist?
In what methods can Mike McDaniel’s teaching fashion, offensive thoughts profit Dolphins?
Can wide-zone scheme jump-start Dolphins’ run sport?
How a lot enchancment could be anticipated from Tua Tagovailoa after the whole lot Dolphins put round him?
Will Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki praise Tyreek Hill to present Dolphins a harmful offensive trio?
How good can Emmanuel Ogbah, Jaelan Phillips and Dolphins’ move rush be in 2022?
Who will step ahead as Dolphins’ leaders in 2022?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com