The Miami Dolphins have a longtime roster full of veterans, a lot of whom are returning starters, free-agent additions anticipated to fill outstanding roles, and kids anticipated to raise their video games.
Despite the presence of a brand new head coach, and his teaching workers, it doesn’t appear as if the roster options many place battles. With the primary week of coaching camp set to start we preview 10 place battles to observe intently as camp and the preseason progresses:
Brandon Jones vs. Eric Rowe for beginning robust security position
Jones, a 2020 third-round decide, has excelled in his position as a situational security the previous two seasons. He’s began 17 of the 31 video games he’s performed in, contributing 141 tackles, six sacks, pressured two fumbles and recovered one, and pulled down one interception. But his lack of self-discipline has led to breakdowns within the secondary that put different gamers in compromising positions, and that should be addressed. Rowe thrived as a good finish protection specialist in 2021, however his efficiency regressed final season. The Dolphins should determine which Rowe exhibits up in 2022, and the way he can finest be utilized. Is it as a situational participant, or because the robust security paired with Jevon Holland?
Chase Edmonds vs. the sphere for beginning tailback job
The Dolphins signed Edmonds to a two-year, $12.1 million deal this offseason as a result of he was one of many NFL’s leaders in yards after contact throughout his 2021 season with the Cardinals, the place he accounted for 903 complete yards on 159 touches. Edmonds might want to outshine Raheem Mostert, who mentioned he’s been cleared to observe, Sony Michel, Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and rookie ZaQuandre White to earn the lead again position in what’s anticipated to be a tailback-by-committee method for this wide-zone working scheme. Productivity and probably accidents within the preseason will decide which of those backs make the 53-man regular-season roster.
Connor Williams vs. Michael Deiter as beginning heart
The Dolphins made the choice to attempt Williams, a 51-game starter at left guard, at heart this spring with the assumption that switching his place would profit the group long run. While Williams has purchased into the transfer, he’ll have to show his snaps, defensive recognition and decision-making are dependable. Deiter has had two so-so seasons as an NFL starter, and final 12 months’s stint because the beginning heart for eight video games was underwhelming. But we don’t know if the expertise he’s gained, the change in scheme, and total desperation that comes with starting the ultimate 12 months of a rookie deal will mild a hearth underneath the previous Wisconsin standout Miami chosen within the third spherical of the 2018 draft.
Liam Eichenberg vs. the sphere to be amongst beginning 5 on O-line
Eichenberg, a 2021 second-round decide, struggled mightily because the Dolphins’ left deal with throughout his rookie season. When Miami signed Terron Armstead, a three-time Pro Bowler at left deal with, the Dolphins had the liberty to maneuver the previous Notre Dame standout to a extra becoming place. Whether that spot is left guard or proper deal with relies on many elements, like how Austin Jackson performs at proper deal with, and if Williams settles in because the Dolphins’ new heart. It can also be potential that offensive linemen like Robert Jones, Solomon Kindley or Greg Little might outperform Eichenberg on this scheme and turn out to be the fifth member of the beginning offensive line. We’ll know extra when pads come on, and the bodily trench work begins.
Preston Williams vs. Lynn Bowden Jr. for fifth receiver
Williams and Bowden have expertise. Williams’ mix of dimension, velocity and athleticism made the undrafted rookie a direct starter in 2019. And Bowden’s capability to make the primary defender miss constantly is one thing that may’t be taught. But what these two younger receivers lack is the power to execute an offensive playbook, and people struggles might result in one, or each, of their exits come late August. With Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Cedrick Wilson and Erik Ezukanma, the Dolphins’ 2022 fourth-round decide, locking up the highest 4 spots at that place if wholesome, Williams and Bowden have an uphill battle to show they belong on the 53-man roster. To earn a spot they need to produce huge performs in coaching camp and through preseason video games.
Adam Shaheen vs. Hunter Long for third tight finish position
Mike Gesicki’s position as a pass-catching tight finish, slot playmaker is ready in stone. And Durham Smythe is Miami’s most dependable in-line tight finish. That leaves Shaheen, a six-year veteran who has began 25 video games, and Long, the Dolphins’ 2021 third-round decide, battling for the position because the cleanup man, as Gesicki and Smythe backups. They every have the power to serve each roles — go catching and blocking — essential to play that place, however should acquire consolation on this new offensive scheme. Whoever backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater develops chemistry with throughout camp will probably earn probably the most taking part in time.
Melvin Ingram vs. Andrew Van Ginkel for beginning outdoors linebacker position
There was a time when Ingram was probably the greatest go speeding outdoors linebackers within the NFL, however that was a pair seasons, and some knee accidents in the past. At this level the Dolphins want to find how a lot the 32-year-old nonetheless has left within the tank. Van Ginkel, who contributed 71 tackles, 20 quarterback hits and 4 sacks final season, has blossomed in his three years in Miami. But the 2019 fifth-round decide has not been an edge-rushing demon like Ingram, who has logged 51 profession sacks, and would possibly by no means turn out to be that participant.
Duke Riley vs. Channing Tindall for inside linebacker position
Riley got here on robust within the second half of 2021, stepping up as a situational inside linebacker when Jerome Baker was moved outdoors. He began three video games and completed the season with 26 tackles. This offseason he proved that he’s prepared for extra to be positioned on his plate by excelling through the offseason program. Tindall, the Dolphins’ 2022 third-round decide, has the pursuit velocity and the uncooked athleticism wanted to thrive in as we speak’s wide-open NFL. But he wants to hurry up his capability to acknowledge performs to turn out to be greater than a particular groups contributor in Year 1.
Noah Igbinoghene vs. Trill Williams for backup boundary cornerback position
Igbinoghene, the thirtieth decide within the 2020 draft, has been a disappointment his first two seasons. The velocity and athleticism is there, however his approach and anticipatory abilities want loads of work. The hope is that former Dolphins legends Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain, his two new place coaches, might help him deal with his points, permitting him to keep away from changing into a first-round bust. Williams spent all final season on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster as a result of his dimension (6-1, 205) and athleticism. This 12 months the previous Syracuse standout has an opportunity to cement himself because the group’s fourth cornerback, and a core particular teamer.
Greg Little vs. Larnel Coleman for backup offensive deal with position
The Dolphins traded for Little, who was the thirty seventh decide within the 2019 draft, final coaching camp hoping that he’d assist stabilize the group’s offensive line after watching Coleman and others battle massively. But Little wasn’t lively for a single recreation earlier than ending the season on injured reserve due to a knee harm. He’ll compete with Coleman, a 2021 seventh-round decide, to determine himself within the backup deal with position, and to turn out to be one of many eight or 9 offensive linemen on the 53-man roster.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com