Players to keep an eye on during OTAs
DAVIE — The Dolphins opened organized team activities on Tuesday. There will be landmarks for key players returning from injury as well as rookies making their full-squad, on-field debuts.
These OTAs are all about establishing rhythm, timing and chemistry. Here are some of the players worth watching:
1. Ryan Tannehill, QB — All eyes on No. 17, once again. Miami’s entire season rides on Tannehill’s right shoulder and his left knee. No pressure.
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB — Where does the rookie line up most? At deep center field safety? At nickel corner, lined up against a classmate, tight end Mike Gesicki? Does he adapt as fast to the NFL as he did the SEC?
3. Raekwon McMillan, LB — There’s not a person who’s spent time with McMillan who doesn’t rave about his leadership abilities. After a one-year delay, McMillan’s recovery from a knee injury is essential.
4. Mike Gesicki, TE — Can he be a monster immediately? How much time will it take? Will he show his skills along the sidelines and in the red zone? Gesicki has a glorious opportunity to seize.
5. Jerome Baker, LB — If Baker shows he can hang with tight ends and running backs in coverage, he’s going to get a chance to contribute in packages, immediately. If Baker’s as fast as they say, no reason he can’t blitz, too.
6. Robert Quinn, DE — Hard to gauge line play without contact, but we’ll get a glimpse at Quinn’s speed. How quick does he look compared to Cam Wake, who is eight years his senior, and Charles Harris, five years his junior?
7. Albert Wilson, WR — With more opportunities than he had in Kansas City, the flashy Wilson quickly may emerge as a fan favorite.
8. Brock Osweiler, QB — What if he’s not trash? What if Dolphins coach Adam Gase can tweak a few things? What if Gase can help Osweiler restore his confidence? What if he’s a capable NFL backup? We’ll see.
9. DeVante Parker, WR — He’s going to make circus catches. If he’s great, Miami’s offense can be — well, much better.
10. Tony Lippett, CB — Achilles. Achilles. Achilles. So hard to come back from that injury, especially when you consider what a corner is asked to do. This isn’t about straight-line speed, but cutting. Miami needs corner depth and could really use a healthy Lippett.
Tannehill full go for OTAs: Any uncertainty about Tannehill’s health coming off knee surgery has quieted, and he’s expected to practice every day during OTAs.
The team was still working with the medical and training staff a few weeks ago to determine the proper course for him once practice started, and a league source said the plan is to turn him loose for all 13 sessions with no restrictions. The Dolphins are not scheduling off days for him as of now.
Tannehill has done a good amount of his recovery training in public view — before games and during practices. His progress behind the scenes over the last few months has been impressive as well.
“I’ve seen a guy that’s very confident,” Gase said two weeks ago. “I know he’s excited to get back out there.”
No signed draft picks … yet: The Dolphins are one of only two teams, along with the Los Angeles Rams, who haven’t signed a single draft pick. The reason? Just as Ndamukong Suh could often occupy two blockers on some plays, he also occupies a massive amount of territory salary-cap wise, even as a former Dolphin.
Relief is in sight. Come June 2, Suh’s $26.1 million cap hit will shrink to $22.2 million, which could go even lower if the Dolphins opt to spread it over two years. Don’t be surprised if next weekend there’s a flood of transactions hailing the signing of any number of the eight picks, possibly even Fitzpatrick, the first-rounder.