Asking and answering 5 key Fins questions on offense
T Ahe five questions that intrigue me, on offense, when Dolphins training camp begins Wednesday:
Who’s the starting center, left guard and right tackle?
Connor Williams will be the new starting center unless he bombs in training camp. The Dolphins seem committed to moving him from left guard, and only a bunch of errant snaps or injuries could probably derail that plan.
Meanwhile, there are several reasons why the Dolphins would love to make it work with Austin Jackson at right tackle, as we first reported in March:
As NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said, he’s excellent at the outside zone scheme, which the Dolphins are implementing. In the entire 2020 draft, Jeremiah said he doesn’t know of anyone who fits that scheme better.
His athleticism is well suited to Miami’s scheme. “The upside is endless,” Jeremiah said.
And the Dolphins believe it’s far too soon to give up on the idea of an 18th overall pick as a starter. This staff believes right tackle is an ideal spot for him.
At left guard, I fully expect
Liam Eichenberg to be the starter, unless Williams has snapping issues and moves back to guard. As is the case with Jackson, Dolphins management and coaches see Eichenberg as an NFL starter unless he proves otherwise.
Though this staff is giving a fresh look to Solomon Kindley — who seemingly didn’t get a fair shake under the previous regime — Eichenberg is the clear front-runner at left guard.
Terron Armstead will start at left tackle, Rob Hunt at right guard.
Who’s the No. 3 running back behind Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert?
I give the edge to Sony Michel over Myles Gaskin, because Michel is a better between-the-tackles runner, a better runner overall last season and the superior pass blocker.
Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Michel 61st as a pass blocker among 157 qualifying running backs. He allowed one sack and three hurries in 55 pass blocking chances. Gaskin was rated 101st of 157, allowing one sack but seven hurries in 76 pass blocking chances.
All but $22,000 of Gaskin’s $2.6 million cap hit is eliminated if he’s cut. And none of his $2.5 million salary is guaranteed. He stands very much at risk.
The Dolphins eliminate $900,000 of Michel’s $1.7 million cap hit if he’s cut. But $500,000 of Michel’s $1.2 million salary has already been guaranteed. So the finances favor Michel.
Who’s the No. 4 receiver? Rookie Erik Ezukanma will be on the team — along with
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Cedrick Wilson Jr. — but that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily the fourth receiver.
Preston Williams, Lynn Bowden Jr. and Trent Sherfield all have a chance to be the fourth receiver, though that player might not be on the field a ton because Mike Gesicki can line up in the slot as a glorified receiver, with Durham Smythe or Adam Shaheen as a second tight end.
I wouldn’t be surprised if any of those four — Ezukanma, Williams, Bowden or Sherfield — emerges as the fourth mostused receiver. But Williams, Bowden and Sherfield are likely battling for only two roster spots or potentially one.
The way Dolphins receivers coach Wes Welker raves about Sherfield — who played for Welker and coach Mike McDaniel in San Francisco — I would be mildly surprised if he’s cut.
Who’s the undrafted
AAArookie with the best chance to stick?
Arizona State offensive tackle
Kellen Diesch, mostly because the Dolphins gave him the highest guarantee of their 14 undrafted rookies ($140,000). Pro Football Focus rated him as the Pac-12’s best offensive tackle last season, but his short arms might make him a better fit at guard.
But don’t rule out South Carolina running back ZaQuandre White, who impressed the staff in OTAs. Anyone who averages 6.2 carries in the SEC (albeit on just 102 career carries) has talent. There could be a scenario where he’s kept ahead of Salvon Ahmed as the No. 4 back, behind Edmonds, Mostert and either Michel or less likely, Gaskin.
Braylon Sanders’ 21.1 career yards per catch average on 69 catches at Mississippi reflect his unique skill — speed — though his route tree is limited. He’s more likely to make the practice squad.
What surprise name could be at risk of being cut beyond Gaskin, Ahmed and a veteran receiver?
Because the Dolphins are committing a roster spot to a fullback (Alec Ingold), they must decide whether to keep both an H-back (Cethan Carter) and a fourth tight end (Sha
Aheen), one of the two or neither.
Shaheen might again play ahead of Hunter Long if he makes the team, but the Dolphins’ depth at the position (Gesicki, Smythe, Long, Shaheen) puts Shaheen at risk, considering none of his $1.6 million salary is guaranteed and there’s a $1.8 million cap savings if he’s cut. He has a $2.1 million cap hit if he’s on the team.
Carter seems at even greater risk; none of his $2.3 million salary is guaranteed, and his entire $2.5 million cap hit is eliminated if he’s cut. Left tackle Greg Little also stands very much at risk.
CHATTER
In light of how dominant he has been (including an NLleading 1.76 ERA), does Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara have any regrets about signing a fiveyear, $56 million contract this past winter instead of testing free agency after 2024?
Not at all, he said. “It feels good,” he said of the financial security. “I will have a better life. More relaxed [state of mind].”
Alcantara got a $1.5 million signing bonus and salaries of $3.5 million in 2022, $6 million in 2023, $9 million in 2024, and $17 million apiece in 2025 and 2026. Miami has a $21 million
Aoption for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.
Marlins owner Bruce Sherman recently texted him. “He told me, ‘Congratulations. You are one of the best we are proud of you.’ ”
UM, building on the momentum of Mario Cristobal’s hiring, already has sold 5000 more season tickets than last season’s final total (just under 30,000). … Canes people have been buzzing about freshman running back TreVonte’ Citizen, who will challenge Henry Parrish, Don Chaney Jr., Jaylan Knighton and Thad Franklin for carries. “He is going to be a great player,” quarterback Tyler Van Dyke said of Citizen. “He still has to prove it because he’s a freshman, but I really can see him playing early.”
On Duncan Robinson’s podcast, Udonis Haslem explained why he would prefer to serve a mentorship and pseudocoach role as a player (with the final roster spot) than as a coach:
“I’ve been brainwashed,” Haslem said. “I don’t feel comfortable barking orders. I feel more comfortable getting in the trenches.
“I’ve got to sleep at night. That’s why I don’t want to coach. I don’t ever want to have to play the political game. I don’t want to be guy who doesn’t play someone who deserved to play because I drafted another guy. The [expletive] I drafted is too cool for school, and I got a guy who’s undrafted who deserves to play, but I’ve got to be patient with this [expletive first-round pick]. Get the hell out of here!”
Haslem — who grows irritated with those who wonder why he remains on the active roster — noted that coach Erik Spoelstra seems immune to that and plays the player who’s most deserving. But Haslem isn’t sure he could handle that pressure. Haslem said in his current role, “If I don’t feel like I’ve got the most out of a certain guy, that bothers me.”
AABarry Jackson: 305-376-3491, @flasportsbuzz