Is Preston Williams’ placement on the Miami Dolphins’ preseason depth chart reliable? Or is it a ploy to extend his commerce worth?
The Dolphins launched their preliminary 2022 depth chart on Monday with comparatively few surprises, however Williams, the receiver who has voiced displeasure together with his alternatives this coaching camp, was positioned reasonably excessive. With Miami itemizing two large receiver spots offensively, Williams was one of many second-teamers, together with Cedrick Wilson Jr., after Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle because the starters.
That places him forward of rookie Erik Ezukanma, who has been a serious coaching camp standout with large performs downfield in almost each observe, and Trent Sherfield, a veteran who spent final 12 months on the 49ers with coach Mike McDaniel and large receivers coach Wes Welker in San Francisco whereas additionally contributing on particular groups.
Williams’ placement additionally comes the identical day as a Sports Illustrated report stating the Dolphins “talked to other teams about potentially moving veteran receivers Preston Williams and Lynn Bowden Jr.” Bowden is listed as a third-team wideout, together with Sherfield.
Ezukanma is positioned all the best way again as one of many No. 5 receivers, together with undrafted rookie Braylon Sanders, which may very well be a motivational software on the rookies. The fourth-team wideouts are veterans Mohamed Sanu, who signed with Miami proper earlier than camp, and River Cracraft, additionally a McDaniel-Welker participant from San Francisco.
Williams’ camp complaints have been sparked by a tweet final week about missing alternatives. After McDaniel was empathetic with Williams in his public remarks, Williams doubled down when talking to reporters the next observe.
“I just feel like I’m not getting the opportunities I deserve, simply scripted-wise, not being on the field-wise,” he stated. “If I got a go route, they’re going to play over the top and script it like that. Opportunities to show that I can beat my man, that’s all.”
Williams, a 6-foot-5 goal, has seen his on-field manufacturing constantly decline since standing out as an undrafted rookie for the Dolphins in 2019. After 32 receptions for 428 yards that 12 months, he then had 18 catches for 288 yards in 2020 and simply six receptions for 71 yards final season. Mostly invisible this camp, Williams had two catches for sizable positive aspects in Sunday’s observe.
Also noteworthy on the Dolphins’ depth chart, they listing Hill because the group’s beginning punt returner. Miami signed Hill to a four-year, $120 million deal in buying and selling for him this offseason, and big-money gamers not often get despatched out on kick and punt returns. The final time Hill did it constantly for the Chiefs was 2018.
Running again Raheem Mostert was listed as the highest kick returner, and he too has not been energetic in that regard lately. Waddle is listed because the backup on each kick and punt returns.
The Dolphins listed two prime tailbacks, and Chase Edmonds and Mostert bought these nods. Sony Michel and Myles Gaskin have been positioned on the second group.
A coaching camp battle for a beginning position has come at one exterior linebacker reverse Jaelan Phillips. Melvin Ingram is presently the starter over Andrew Van Ginkel. At inside linebacker, rookie and third-round choose Channing Tindall is on the third group with Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts the first-teamers and Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen on second.
With Byron Jones on the physically-unable-to-perform listing, Nik Needham was the highest cornerback reverse Xavien Howard because the protection listed two cornerbacks. Needham figures to primarily play the nickel when each Howard and Jones are wholesome. Noah Igbinoghene and Keion Crossen have been listed on the second group.
The Dolphins beginning offensive line goes, from left to proper: Terron Armstead, Liam Eichenberg, Connor Williams, Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson. Guard Solomon Kindley, a starter in 2020 whose alternatives evaporated final season, is listed on third group.
The Dolphins have joint practices with the Buccaneers in Tampa on faucet for Wednesday and Thursday forward of their preseason opener on Saturday.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com