Kelly: Dolphins’ camp battles
As players put on pads, there’s plenty of battles for positions to watch
Everything the Miami Dolphins have done up to now has been a warm-up.
The action really begins today when the Dolphins start the on-field work that involves padded practices and offense versus defense sessions.
The Dolphins have four weeks to fine tune their roster and build a squad ready to handle the 2020 season, which starts on Sept. 13 on the road against the New England Patriots.
Here is a breakdown of the Dolphins’ top-10 battles in training camp that will determine important roles on the team during the second-year of this rebuilding process:
Starting quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Tua Tagovailoa
Fitzpatrick, a 15-year veteran who was the primary catalyst for the Dolphins’ five victories last season, is likely the team’s starter because of his mastery of Chan Gailey’s offense, and the truncated offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited the amount of on-field practices teams were able to conduct. But if Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ first of three 2020 first-round picks, is fully recovered from the hip injury that ended his collegiate career, he’ll be given every opportunity to replace Fitzpatrick if the veteran doesn’t deliver wins.
Every-down linebacker: Jerome Baker vs. Raekwon McMillan It is safe to assume veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who received a four-year, $51 million deal to join the Dolphins this offseason, will be assigned one of the two every-down linebacker spots. That likely leaves Baker and McMillan, two former Ohio State standouts and close friends, to compete for the other one. But all three linebackers will likely have a playing role based on their strengths and weaknesses unless injuries become a factor, or someone gets unseated. Baker is superior in pass coverage and has flashed ability that indicates he can become an effective blitzer. McMillan is better at diagnosing offenses, which helps put the defense in the right positions. But McMillan has struggled in pass coverage the past two seasons and needs to improve in that area.
Leading tailback: Jordan Howard vs. Matt Breida Breida, who the Dolphins traded a 2020 fifth-round pick to acquire during the draft, is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry on his 123 attempts in three seasons with the 49ers, and has a work ethic many have praised. His problem is he’s not the same player when he’s banged up. Howard, a free-agent addition signed to a two-year deal worth $9.75 million, is ground-and-pound, inside-zone runner who can move the chains when healthy. He has accounted for 3,895 yards with 30 touchdowns and has a 4.3 career yards-per-carry average throughout his first four seasons, but struggled with some health issues last year.
Starting left tackle: Julien Davenport vs. Austin Jackson
Davenport has struggled as an offensive tackle in the majority of his 27 NFL starts, but the former 2017 fourth-round pick has the size (6-foot-6, 325 pounds) and athleticism needed to be successful if he can put it all
together. Last season, when Davenport was healthy and familiar with Miami’s offense, he improved in the final month. But just being adequate can get a quarterback or running back hurt in the NFL. Jackson, the team’s second of three 2020 first-round picks, will get every opportunity to unseat Davenport, and if the rookie is close he’ll get the job. But the former USC standout will likely need some time to adjust to the speed of the NFL game.
Starting right guard: Michael Deiter vs. Robert Hunt vs. Solomon Kindley
Ereck Flowers, a former Hurricanes standout Miami signed to a three-year, $30 million deal this offseason, is expected to serve as the starting left guard considering he’s the team’s most experienced offensive linemen. Deiter gained experience starting 15 games at left guard last season, but his performance was mediocre. He’ll have a chance to show his growth this camp, and must be sharp to hold off Hunt and Kindley, the two offensive linemen Miami selected in the second and third round of the 2020 draft. Hunt can play right tackle, so there’s a possibility Jesse Davis could be moved inside to right guard. And Kindley will likely be groomed as the team’s swing guard unless the former University of Georgia standout outshines the competition. Miami needs to find a guard who can move defensive tackles and that was Kindley in college.
Third cornerback: Nik Needham vs. Noah Igbinoghene
Even though Miami has an experienced and talented cornerback duo in Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, the Dolphins still need to find a solid third cornerback because five defensive backs are typically on the field for 700-plus snaps a season. Needham, an undrafted rookie who had a promising season (54 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble) as a starter last year, must turn the volume up on his coverage skills if he hopes to start in 2020. The Dolphins used the 30th pick in the 2020 draft to select Igbinoghene, an Auburn cornerback whose physical style indicates that he’d be a perfect fit as a nickel cornerback in the NFL. Howard being on the reserve COVID-19 list, and on the PUP because of the knee injury he’s still rehabbing to start camp means both will likely get contributing roles early, and the top performer keeps his starter status when Howard returns.
Slot receiver: Jakeem Grant vs. Isaiah Ford vs. Gary Jennings Jr.
The Dolphins have struggled to find a playmaking slot receiver since Jarvis Landry was traded away in 2018. With Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns sitting out the season because of COVID-19 concerns Grant, Ford and Jennings enter the equation as the receivers who will complement DeVante Parker and Preston Williams. Williams has the skill set to move inside and play the slot role, so its possible Grant can help stretch the field as a flanker, the role he excels in. Ford caught 23 passes for 244 yards when his role got elevated late last season. But he has struggled to stay healthy throughout his brief NFL career. Jennings, a 2019 fourthround pick Miami claimed off the waiver wire last year, thrived as a slot receiver at West Virginia.
In-line tight end: Durham Smythe vs. Adam Shaheen
The Dolphins’ tight end unit has undergone a massive makeover since camp opened in late July. Miami traded a 2021 conditional late-round pick to acquire Shaheen from Chicago, and claimed Nate Wieting, a former walk-on from Iowa, off the waiver wire. Shaheen has started 13 games in three seasons, and should push Smythe for his role as the in-line tight end who complements Mike Gesicki. Smythe, who has started 16 games, has sparingly been a factor in the passing game, bringing down 13 receptions for 115 yards in 31 games since joining the team as a 2018 fourth-round selection. Shaheen has caught 26 passes for 249 yards and scored four touchdowns in the 27 games he’s played in the past three seasons.
Starting strong safety: Eric Rowe vs. Brandon Jones This spring’s release of Reshad Jones, who served as Miami’s starting strong safety since 2011, means the Dolphins must find a new on-field partner for Bobby McCain, who is the leader of Miami’s secondary. Rowe filled in for Jones last season when he was sidelined with various injuries, and contributed 79 tackles and one interception. His play earned him a contract extension, but the converted cornerback must master working inside the box. He’s put on some bulk, but isn’t known for his physicality. Brandon Jones, a former Texas standout the Dolphins selected in the third round, is intelligent, was physical and versatile in college. But Jones, who contributed 174 tackles, three interceptions and one sack during his four-year career with the Longhorns, will likely need time to learn the Dolphins’ defense.
Pass-rushing linebacker: Vince Biegel vs. Andrew Van Ginkel
Both of these former Wisconsin standouts are scrappy, tryhard talents who make plays with energy, effort and hustle. That’s an important trait in Brian Flores’ defense, which is fueled by having versatile linebackers. Biegel had a breakout season for the Dolphins last year, contributing 57 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception in the 15 games he played. Van Ginkel, the Dolphins’ 2019 fifthround pick, recorded 15 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery in the six games he played last season after his foot injury healed. The winner of this battle must deliver pressure plays because Van Noy, who has recorded 17.5 sacks in six seasons, could easily fill this third-down role.