Kelly: Dolphins camp analysis
The first week of training camp’s on-field work is in the books and the five practices the Miami Dolphins held allowed us to formulate an image of what the 2020 team will look and play like.
Here’s a look at what we’ve learned about coach Brian Flores’ team after the first week of on-field work:
Neither of Miami’s young QBs are ready for prime time
Josh Rosen and Tua Tagovailoa still have some growing to do to catch up to Ryan Fitzpatrick, and challenge him for the starting quarterback spot. Rosen still processes what he sees too slowly and until he improves in that area, he’ll never be a winning quarterback. Tagovailoa, the former Alabama standout the Dolphins’ selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL draft, needs time to learn Chan Gailey’s offense, and to get comfortable with the weaponry at his disposal. Tagovailoa’s accuracy is evident, and his scrambling ability indicates that he’s past the hip injury he had last year.
Kyle Van Noy is better than expected
Van Noy’s game isn’t sexy, but the six-year veteran’s ability to fill every linebacker role makes him the glue for Miami’s hybrid defense. Van Noy’s ability to pass rush, drop back in coverage, and edge set should allow him to seamlessly move all over the field to tie up loose ends in the Dolphins defense, and help the unit perform better than it did last year if he plays all 16 games.
Byron Jones hasn’t performed like Dolphins’ highestpaid player
Its early, so Jones could still be adjusting to Miami’s defense and coaching style. Or maybe receivers DeVante Parker and Preston Williams are just that good. Excuse it however you’d like, but
Jones wasn’t dominant in the first week of padded practices. In fact, he blends in with the rest of Miami’s crop of journeyman cornerbacks. Let’s hope his coverage tightens up and he resembles the former standout he was
with the Cowboys that led to Miami signing him to a five-year, $82.5 million contract this offseason.
Miami’s new offensive line is massive
Jesse Davis, who is listed at 6 foot 6, 310 pounds, is the smallest player on Miami’s starting offensive line. Last year, Davis was one of the unit’s biggest players. That illustrates how massive the unit has become in one offseason. Solomon Kindley (6-4, 339) and Austin Jackson (6-5, 325) aren’t polished, but these two rookies have upside, so the investment is being made to make each a Day 1 starter.
Preston Williams is picking up where he left off
Williams’ rehab appears to be ahead of schedule because he’s been making plays everyday, which indicates that his left knee has healed nine months after having ACL surgically. The second-year receiver has established himself as one of Miami’s top playmakers, and often doing so going up against Byron Jones in camp. Williams seems to be ready to pick up where he left off as a standout rookie.
Dolphins’ depth at receiver is worrisome
Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns’ decision to sit out the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns has deteriorated Miami’s depth at receiver. Some young players need to step forward in this unit. Jakeem Grant needs to learn how to bring down tough catches in traffic. Rookie Malcolm Perry has some potential as a slot receiver, but needs to learn the intricacies of playing the position. Isaiah Ford will make the 53-man regular-season roster if he can stay healthy because of his intellect and ability to play all three receiver spots. But Ford needs to become a playmaker that scares defenses.
Raekwon Davis’ motor occasionally runs hot and cold
When you watch Davis throw offensive linemen around during 1-on-1s his physical prowess is evident. The former Alabama standout Miami drafted in the second round can be a dominant player. Problem is, he hasn’t been very impactful during 11-on-11s, and is seemingly pacing himself during practice. If the Dolphins can get Davis to play like his hair is on fire for 20 snaps a game, Miami’s defense will drastically improve because his has the talent to collapse the pocket and disrupt passing lanes.
Myles Gaskin is blossoming in his second
Neither Josh Rosen, left, or Tua Tagolvailoa are ready yet to take the starting quarterback job away from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
First-round pick Austin Jackson is being groomed to be a Week 1 starter on the offensive line.
season
Gaskins barely hung onto his roster spot last year, and contributed little on a tailback-starved 2019 Dolphins team. But the former Washington standout, who was Miami’s 2019 seventh-round pick, managed to make plays everyday. If Gaskins keeps on flashing, Flores hinted that he could carve out a contributing role on offense for himself. His progression was one of the pleasant surprises of camp’s first week of padded practices.
Raekwon McMillan is fighting to find a role
Last year around this time McMillan was viewed
as a backup by the coaching staff, and on the outside looking in when the starting unit was on the field. This season is no different based on camp’s first week of on-field work. The 2017 second-round pick eventually worked his way into the starting unit in 2019 and contributed 72 tackles in the 13 games he played, 12 of which he started. Looks like McMillan will have to outperform Elandon Roberts to get on the field this year. But Roberts’ ability to communicate and lead the linebacker unit has been evident early.
Dolphins may still need to find a better in-line
tight end
The Dolphins continue to use Mike Gesicki as an off-the-line tight end because of his limitations as a blocker, which means Miami must find someone to handle the in-line work. Durham Smythe continues to get the bulk of that workload, and Miami’s coaches have praised his mastery of the offense. But Miami needs Adam Shaheen, who the Dolphins traded for when camp started, to learn the offense so he can challenge Smythe, who is a one-dimensional player. Shaheen has the ability to be a pass-catching weapon as well as a stable blocker.