Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dolphins’ highs and lows from training camp and preseason
The Miami Dolphins had an eventful offseason — and an August filled with upheaval — transforming a veteran roster into a young and inexpensive one that will be challenged to win any games in 2019. Here’s a look at the highs and lows of training camp and the Dolphins preseason:
Top performer on offense:
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil
Tunsil was to begin his fourth season as a Dolphins starter and third as Miami’s left tackle, but was traded to the Houston Texans on Saturday with receiver Kenny Stills in a deal that brought Miami first-round picks in 2020 and 2021, a second-round pick in 2021, according to a league source. Before the trade, it was thought that Tunsil would be the type of offensive lineman Miami could put on an island without help and expect the job to get done.
Top performer on defense:
Cornerback Xavien Howard
Howard, who received a new contract this offseason that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, has seemingly tightened the screws on his coverage. He produces interceptions every week in practice, and has become effective at shadowing the opponent’s top receivers — moving from the right to left side of the filed — with ease. If quarterbacks don’t shy away from Howard, expect him to again lead the NFL in interceptions.
Most improved: Safety Bobby McCain
McCain was always a valued player and contributor to Miami’s defense, but his move from nickel cornerback to free safety
enhanced his role, and fills a void the Dolphins have had since Chris Clemons was roaming in the secondary. The Dolphins will use McCain as the player who sews it all together, and serves as the last line of defense for the defense.
Most disappointing performer: Offensive tackle Jordan Mills
Mills, a veteran offensive tackle who the Dolphins signed to a one-year deal this offseason, spent one training camp week as Miami’s starting left tackle before he was replaced by Jesse Davis. Miami used him at left tackle in the first preseason game and it didn’t go well at all. That’s why it wasn’t a surprise when the Dolphins released him on Tuesday.
Best unit: Dolphins receivers
Preston Williams’ emergence as a playmaker means the Dolphins have seven receivers who belong on an NFL roster. Not all of them have played this preseason because of injuries, and the offensive line’s troubles have impacted the offense’s efficiency overall, but this unit has depth, talent and experience. Miami needs to identify a slot receiver who can be effective sitting down in zones and making himself quarterback friendly.
Biggest strength: Miami’s running game
The Dolphins plan to feature a grind-it-out, smashmouth rushing attack and Miami has the tailbacks to make it work in Kalen Ballage, Kenyan Drake and fullback Chandler Cox. Ballage is powerful, but still has speed and elusiveness. And Drake, who has scored 15 touchdowns the past three seasons, is a threat to score every time he touches the football. Cox’s presence should help the Dolphins convert those tough shortyardage plays that have been problematic since Lousaka Polite left the franchise.
Biggest weakness: Miami’s offensive line
The Dolphins are struggling to get their two young guards — Michael Deiter and Shaq Calhoun — ready to be rookie starters, and it has been a rough process. The bulk of the burden has been placed on Daniel Kilgore’s shoulders because he’s the center, and the offensive line’s leader. Miami’s offensive line is thin — with Chris Reed as the only capable backup on the interior, and no quality depth at offensive tackle. Miami needs to add reinforcements at this position in the come days.
Most irreplaceable player: Linebacker Jerome Baker
Expect Baker to have a breakout season in his second year in the NFL because coach Brian Flores’ defense is built around his skill-sets. Baker’s coverage skills allow him to handle tailbacks coming out the backfield or blitz the quarterback. And he’s shown he’s very effective as a blitzer, routinely causing havoc in the backfield. His skill set provides Miami’s coaches plenty of flexibility to make unorthodox calls in the defense.
Biggest underachiever:
Tight end Mike Gesicki
Gesicki, a 2018 secondround draft pick who had a rough rookie season, has come on a bit as a passcatcher in Miami’s new offense. He’s been productive in the preseason, and hasn’t looked terrible in the few instances he’s been asked to block, so maybe there’s hope. However, more should be expected of the 42nd player selected in the that draft. Being a role player isn’t good enough.
Biggest surprise: Linebacker Sam Eguavoen
Cameron Wake is the most recognizable CFL import who lit the league on fire, and he wasn’t even a rookie starter with the Dolphins. Eguavoen appears to be in position to start in his first season with Miami following a strong OTA, training camp and preseason showing, which has him leading the team in tackles in the first three preseason games. His experience as a coverage specialist in the CFL makes him an ideal fit for the Dolphins’ nickel-based defense.
Rookie with the most upside: Receiver Preston Williams
If Williams didn’t have some baggage, he likely would have been selected in early rounds of the draft because of his size, athletic ability and catch radius. The undrafted rookie from Colorado State has shined in camp and the preseason, and if he can pick up the playbook and stay out of trouble he might be a significant contributor as a rookie. Williams must prove he can handle all that comes with being in South Florida.
Top newcomer: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick’s mastery of the offense, and his natural leadership skills makes him the ideal starter for the early portion of Miami’s regular season. Give Fitzpatrick a decent amount of skill-position players and adequate protection and he should be able to lead Miami to a few wins. His teammates understand the keys will eventually be handed to Josh
Rosen because of his upside, but they’d like a chance to field a competitive team early in the season, and Fitzpatrick should provide that.
Last man on the 53-man roster: TailbackPatrick Laird
Laird, an undrafted rookie from the University of California, has excelled at every role the Dolphins have given him. Not only is he on most of the core special teams units, but he’s been carrying the thirdteam offense, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, and catching two passes for 16 yards.
Leadership award: Receiver Kenny Stills
Not only did Stills serve as the leader of Miami’s receiver unit and team captain for the past few seasons, he also led a movement fighting for social justice and racial equality. He will take his top-shelf character to Houston in the blockbuster Tunsil trade.
Dolphins struggle this season if: Miami’s offense can’t convert on third downs
Former Dolphins coach Adam Gase’s offense annually struggled converting on third downs, and those issues held the offense and team down like an anchor. Considering the coaches, playbook and quarterback have been changed, let’s see if offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea can keep the Dolphins from shooting themselves in the foot on those critical downs.
Dolphins can produce a winning season if: Miami’s defense is a top-five unit
The Dolphins have the framework for a good defense if everyone can stay healthy, Miami’s deep at defensive tackle, and the linebackers have a track record for being productive and producing impact plays. Howard is one of the best cover corners in the NFL, and Reshad Jones has been one of the top play-making safeties in the NFL for the past eight seasons. If defensive coordinator Patrick Graham can use the personnel properly, the Dolphins have the potential to be respectable.