Defense bolstered through draft picks
The Miami Dolphins did most of their heavy lifting on defense in free agency, but the team also added a few newcomers that side of the ball in last week’s draft.
Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, whom the Dolphins selected in the second round, is a huge — literally — boom or bust project. And fifth-rounders Bobby McCain, Cedric Thompson and Tony Lippett have the skills and athleticism to help the Dolphins’ aging secondary improve.
Still, it appears most of the returning players will need to step up their level of contribution to make the defense better in 2015.
Here’s a glimpse at how the Dolphins’ defensive depth chart looks heading into the two-day rookie minicamp that begins today:
Defensive line (15): Tackles — Ndamukong Suh (starter), Earl Mitchell (starter), Jordan Phillips (rookie), A.J. Francis, Anthony Johnson, Deandre Coleman, Kamal Johnson and Ellis McCarthy (undrafted rookie free agent); Ends — Cameron Wake (starter), Olivier Vernon (starter), Derrick Shelby, Terrence Fede, Emmanuel Dieke, Ray Drew (URFA) and Kendall Montgomery (URFA)
Breakdown: This unit carried the Dolphins for five years, but it fell apart in the final six games of the 2014 season because players wore down. Adding Suh, arguably one of the NFL’s top 10 defenders, should instantly raise the performance level of everyone on defense. Phillips, Francis, Anthony and Kamal Johnson and Coleman are all young defensive tackles who have talent, but they are a little rough around the edges. At least two must emerge as rotational players.
Linebackers (11): Jelani Jenkins (weakside linebacker starter), Koa Misi (inside linebacker starter), Kelvin Sheppard, Chris McCain, Spencer Paysinger, Jordan Tripp, Jake Knott, Zach Vigil (URFA), Mike Hull (URFA),
Jeff Luc (URFA), Neville Hewitt (URFA)
Breakdown: Jenkins, a 2013 fourth-round pick, blossomed in his first season as a starter last year, contributing 108 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Expect the coverage specialist’s performance to improve as he becomes more seasoned. Misi, who had 64 tackles and one sack in the 11 games he played last season, was decent as the starting inside linebacker when healthy. But that wasn’t often because of a lingering ankle injury he suffered in the season opener. But Philbin values Misi’s leadership, power and instincts, which hints he’ll remain a starter. The Dolphins need to find a starting strong side linebacker to replace Phillip Wheeler, who was released. McCain appears to be the front-runner but must prove to the coaches that he’s ready and mature enough to become a regular contributor. Depth is a serious concern. Adding Paysinger, a former special teams standout with the New York Giants, and re-signing Sheppard should help, but at least one of the undrafted rookies needs to step up.
Cornerbacks (8): Brent Grimes (starter), Jamar Taylor, Brice McCain, Will Davis, Zack Bowman, Bobby McCain (rookie), Tony Lippett (rookie), Sammy Seamster
Breakdown: Grimes, a three-time Pro Bowler, is arguably one of NFL’s top 10 cornerbacks. But he turns 32 in July. Brice McCain, who will likely replace Jimmy Wilson as the nickel cornerback, and Bowman have collectively started 47 NFL games. Taylor and Davis have both flashed talent that hints at their potential, but none of those 2013 draftees have proven that they could stay healthy in their first two seasons. Taylor separated his shoulder late last season, and Davis is rehabilitating an ACL tear to his right knee. Seamster will be pushed for his roster spot by rookies Bobby McCain and Lippett, a converted receiver from Michigan State.
Safeties (8): Reshad Jones (starting strong safety), Louis Delmas (starting free safety), Michael Thomas, Walt Aikens, Cedric Thompson (rookie), Don Jones, Jordan Kovacs and Shamiel Gary
Breakdown: When Reshad Jones returned from his four-game suspension last year, he put together one of the better seasons of his career, producing 80 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble. Del- mas, whom the Dolphins resigned to another one-year, incentive-laden deal, held the secondary together until a knee injury prematurely ended his 2014 season in early December. The Dolphins are optimistic he’ll be ready by training camp. Thomas, who is rehabbing a pectoral injury, and Aikens will compete for the top backup spots. Don Jones and Kovacs haven’t proven they are anything more than special teams contributors.
Specialists (5): K Caleb Sturgis, K Andrew Frank (URFA), P Brandon Fields, P Matt Darr (URFA), LS John Denney
Breakdown: Sturgis, who converted 29 of 37 field goals, struggled for the second straight season. Fields, who averaged 46.3 yards per punt and 38.6 net yards per punt, also had a down year, but he could rebound to his 2013 Pro Bowl form.