10 takeways from Dolphins’ preseason finale
It’s been a long journey building the Miami Dolphins roster to this point.
In the first season of the Brian Flores era the Dolphins played 14 newcomers who had been signed, claimed, or traded for the previous week in an embarrassing season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and that year Miami claimed more players off the waiver wire or other team’s practice squads than any other team in the NFL.
In Miami’s second season under Flores the COVID-19 pandemic likely encouraged the Dolphins to keep the roster consistent, as Miami sparingly made claims off the waiver wire or poached players off practice squads.
It will be interesting to see the organization’s approach to building the 53-man regular-season roster and the 16-player practice squad this season because Flores has stressed that it’s time to pivot and focus more on winning than building.
The final preseason game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals provided a few hints about this week’s roster cuts as the Dolphins sat virtually everyone whose roster spot is secure.
Here’s a look at 10 takeaways from the Dolphins-Bengals game:
Will Chris Grier make more deals?:
Since taking over as the Dolphins’ general manager Grier has pulled the trigger on more trades than any other executive in the NFL. He’s already executed two trades, corralling offensive tackle Greg Little and center Greg Mancz to supplement Miami’s offensive line. But it’s hard to believe that Grier is done, and won’t be pitching other deals.
There are reports that the Dolphins are contenders for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson and a move like that would send shock-waves throughout the league.
Preston Williams gets a handful of plays:
The Dolphins have brought Williams, a two-year starter, back from his Lisfranc injury in his left foot slowly, trying to ensure that he’ll be healthy all 17-games in 2021. Williams took a step in that direction on Sunday by playing a handful of snaps early against the Bengals, getting two passes thrown to him in his first preseason game. While he didn’t bring in any of those receptions the hope is that Williams, who has caught 50 passes for 716 yards and has scored seven touchdowns in the 16 games he’s played the past two years, will pick up where he left off in 2020 and remain a contributor on offense.
Kirk Merritt could be a gem:
Merritt, a second-year player from Arkansas State, will likely be the top talent the Dolphins expose on the waiver wire when he’s likely released on Tuesday. Merritt, who caught a 44-yard touchdown pass on Sunday, has practiced and played well enough to make Miami’s roster. But the Dolphins have an overcrowded receiving corp, which might require the team to carry seven receivers on the 53-man roster. The best hope is that nobody claims Merritt when/ if he’ s released and the Dolphins can develop him on the practice squad for a second season.
Reid Sinnett is worthy of a continued investment:
Sinnett’s accuracy and ball placement was good all throughout training amp, and Sunday’s showcase game for the former University of San Diego starter was his most extensive playing time in the pros. Unless another more promising young quarterback becomes available don’t be surprised when the Dolphins re-sign Sinnett to the practice squad, continuing the investment they started last season. Sinnett threw for the the most passing yards of any QB in the NFL this preseason.
Doaks makes his best pitch for 53:
One of the toughest roster decisions comes down to who will be the fourth, and possibly final tailback on the 53-man roster. Patrick Laird is an established pass catcher and reliable special teamer, but Doaks, a 2021 seventhround pick, would provide a power runner in Miami’s scatback-filled backfield. Doaks gained 56 rushing yards and scored two rushing touchdowns on 16 carries against the Bengals, making his strongest pitch to make it onto the roster.
Larnel Coleman’s struggles are hard to ignore:
Seventhround picks are usually a roll of the dice, and that’s how it has felt every time Coleman is on the field during a preseason game. The former UMass standout the Dolphins selected with the 231 pick in the 2021 NFL draft has had a troublesome stint on the field. At times Sunday it looked like he was a bullfighter and not an offensive linemen. It’s hard to envision Miami keeping him on 53-man roster, but maybe he’s worthy of a practice squad spot.
Solomon Kindley only starting lineman who plays:
While the entire starting offensive line sat out the final preseason game, Kindley was on the field manning the left guard spot. Even though Kindley, who started 13 games at right guard as a rookie, had an up-and-down camp. He did seemingly win the starting left guard spot, holding off rookie Liam Eichenberg, who is sidelined by an injury. Depth is an issue at the interior spots, so maybe Miami needed Kindley to play to get through the game. Or maybe Miami’s coaches felt he needed the work.
Jaelan Phillips produces pressure plays:
Phillips, the former University of Miami standout the Dolphins selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, spend most of the preseason game vs. the Falcons setting the edge. The Dolphins seemingly unleashed the former defensive end to rush the quarterback on Sunday and he delivered a handful of pressures by beating the opposing offensive tackle. Phillips got off to a slow start during camp because of a groin injury, but he seems to be getting past it and is being groomed to begin his NFL career as a starter.
Matt Skura is on shaky ground:
Matt Skura’s days in South Florida might be numbered. Skura, a former starter for the Ravens, was expected to compete with Michael Deiter for the starting center job. But that competition never turned into a real battle as Deiter, a 2019 third-round pick, spent every day of training camp with the starting offensive line. The Dolphins agreed to pay Skura $1.75 million this offseason, but only $200,000 of that deal is guaranteed, which means he could be cut with little cap hit. Miami trading for Mancz, who has started 28 games in his six-year career, indicates that Skura is on the way out.
Jamal Perry puts himself on shaky ground:
Perry was the first player the Dolphins signed after Flores was hired as Miami’s head coach in 2019. The Dolphins saw value in the Patriots former practice squad player, and have spent two years investing in Perry. He’s one of the team’s top gunners on special teams, a backup nickel cornerback and a reserve free safety. Problem is, he didn’t play well this preseason. He allowed a touchdown in the first quarter and dropped interception in the third quarter. That might motivate Miami’s talent evaluators to move on for a more promising player like rookie Trill Williams.