Thoughts on Fins after a week at Combine
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier evaluated draft prospects and shed light on the state of the franchise at the NFL Scouting Combine.
As the NFL Scouting Combine comes to a close in Indianapolis on Sunday, Dolphins’ decision-makers have a more thorough evaluation of the prospects they will choose from in April’s draft. Head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier also gave thorough thoughts on the state of the franchise ahead of a crucial offseason.
Here are five takeaways after a week at the Combine:
Grier unsure of quarterback A Tua Tagovailoa’s ceiling: As McDaniel continued to make his rounds in media interviews and reaffirm his excitement to work with Tagovailoa, Tuesday marked the first time Grier spoke to local reporters since the day after the trade deadline on Nov. 3, 2021, when he addressed the team not trading for Deshaun Watson.
While Grier touched on several topics, it was his answer to a question about whether Tagovailoa can be an “elite quarterback” that was most notable.
“I can’t say he can’t be,” Grier responded.
“It’s too early,” he continued. “He’s played 20
games, maybe. The first year was in and out and missing games this year, but I know he’s won games even this last year, and it’s hard to win games in this league. I know people want to say he doesn’t throw the ball downfield, but he’s incredibly accurate, and that’s the real exciting part for Mike and the coaching staff, his accuracy.”
Grier’s comments were measured and fair but his evasive double-negative — months after Tagovailoa’s “I don’t not feel wanted” statement — couldn’t be ignored. Tagovaloa’s surroundings haven’t been optimal between an offensive line that was one of the league’s worst and an inconsistent cast of skill position players. However, Grier’s answer underscored how crucial it is that Tagovailoa shows marked improvement in his third season and first with McDaniel. If not, the quarterback questions that clouded his second season will inevitably return.
• Offensive line may not be overhauled: The general consensus entering the season is that offensive line was the Dolphins’ biggest need. And while the team is likely to pursue veteran upgrades in free agency, comments from McDaniel and Grier this week show they are bullish on their young core of linemen who are recent high draft picks.
“I have a very confident and high expectation that the coaches that we’ve hired can develop a lot of these guys, because I do think there is some talent and there’s some hunger,” McDaniel told the Miami Herald in an exclusive interview.
McDaniel also said the team wouldn’t be content in the offseason and would seek upgrades where the value was right but a big part of his hiring was his ability to develop players, and he has assembled a staff of coaches that have reputations as good teachers. Their work with players such as Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg will put that to the test.
• Day 2 could be perfect spot for offensive contributors: The Dolphins have a lot of work to do to improve an offense that ranked 22nd in scoring in 2021, but the 29th overall pick won’t be an all-or-nothing spot to find impact offensive players. Plenty of talented wide receivers shined during testing and should be available in the second and third rounds, such as Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore, Memphis’ Calvin Austin III and North Dakota State’s Christian Watson.
No running back is expected to be selected in the first round, but the Dolphins met with a number of the draft’s top players at the position and they should be available when the Dolphins are back on the clock in rounds 2 and 3. Iowa State’s Breece Hall staked his claim to be the first back selected with an impressive performance that included a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 217 pounds. While the Dolphins might not get one of the blue-chip prospects on offense, a number of players that can contribute early on should be available.
• Using the franchise tag is a real possibility: With a little over a week left until the start of the new league year and free agency on March 16, the Dolphins still haven’t agreed on new deals for impending free agents Mike Gesicki and Emmanuel Ogbah. Grier said he’s had more conversations with Ogbah’s representatives than Gesicki’s. As a new coaching staff continues its evaluation of the roster and the Tuesday deadline to apply the franchise tag on a player approaches, Grier said both players desire to remain in Miami but “they want to be able to see what their options are.”
“We have to leave all options on the table for us,” he said of using the tag.
Both players were valuable contributors this past season but it seems more likely the tag is placed on Gesicki, which would give him the one-year deal projected at $10.8 million for tight ends, as opposed to the $20.8 million salary for Ogbah and defensive ends.
Grier seeks “resolution” with cornerback Xavien Howard’s deal: Grier said the team would revisit Howard’s deal less than a year after reworking it during training camp. Amid a trade request last summer due to frustration with the money on his five-year extension signed in 2019, the Dolphins gave Howard more incentives in 2021 and guaranteed money in 2022. However, Howard’s base salary for 2022 is $12,975,000, which ranks seventh among cornerbacks.
It’s a unique situation for one of the best players at his position. Upon its signing, Howard’s deal was the richest in NFL history for a corner but has been supplanted by a number of contracts in the past few years. Grier said he promised to address it after the season and has been in contact with Howard.
“We’re going to have conversations and see if we can come to some sort of resolution,” he said. “My anticipation is that Xavien will be here next year.”