Newcomers to be leaned on
Rosen, Fitzpatrick, Wilkins among new faces expected to contribute right away
With the 2019 NFL season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a look at 10 storylines to watch for in a 10-part series ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of training camp Thursday.
New quarterbacks Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick are not the only newcomers looking to make a significant impact for the 2019 Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins have scouted, drafted and signed a number of players this offseason who are looking to make the 53-man regular-season roster, and several of them have the potential to earn significant playing time this season.
Rookie defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, Miami’s first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, has an opportunity to compete for a starting defensive lineman position. His versatility, which the three-time All-American used to help the Clemson Tigers win two national titles, could be vital for the Dolphins at nose tackle and 3-4 defensive end this season.
Cornerbacks Eric Rowe and Jomal Wiltz, who both worked under new coach Brian Flores with the New England Patriots last year, have opportunities to compete for the open starting spot opposite Pro Bowler Xavien Howard to solidify Miami’s secondary.
Former University of Miami running back Mark Walton may be the most recognizable newcomer on the Dolphins roster heading into training camp as he hopes to resurrect his young NFL career after three arrests earlier this year.
While Walton could face a disciplinary suspension from the NFL, the Dolphins hope they have caught lightning in a bottle with a player who has potential.
Walton will compete with 2019 seventh-round picks Myles Gaskin and Chandler Cox, former Alliance of American Football standout Kenneth Farrow and undrafted rookie Patrick Laird for a spot on the depth chart behind Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage.
Receiver Preston Williams, a 6-foot-5 undrafted rookie from Colorado State, could be the most intriguing player in the Dolphins training camp. He has the potential to be a threat downfield and in the red zone, but he must overcome inconsistencies shown during organized team activities and minicamp to vie for a roster spot.
Williams had 96 catches for 1,345 yards with 14 touchdowns in 12 games last year.
Rookie offensive lineman Michael Deiter (Miami’s 2019 third-round pick), four-year veteran Chris Reed (who played guard for the Jacksonville Jaguars) and seventh-year veteran Jordan Mills (who played right tackle for the Buffalo Bills) have opportunities to compete for open starting positions along the Dolphins offensive line.
Reed may have an early edge over Deiter for the open left guard position. However, Dieter could compete for playing time at right guard if the Dolphins opt to move starter Jesse Davis to right tackle, where Mills is hoping to carve out a role as a starter or contributor.
Laremy Tunsil will start at left tackle, while Daniel Kilgore will line up at center, where he played only one game last season before suffering an injury.
Outside linebackers Nate Orchard, a former secondround pick who has bounced around since leaving the Cleveland Browns last year, and Sam Eguavoen, a former CFL standout, lead a large group of potential edge rushers who could vie for playing time in Flores’ multiple-look defense.
That group also includes 2019 fourth-round pick Andrew Van Ginkel, former Alliance of American Football standouts Tyrone Holmes and Jayrone Elliott, and undrafted rookies Terrill Hanks and Tre Watson.
The Dolphins also hope to develop a pass rush.
Former second-round selection Tank Carradine, former third-round pick Adolphus Washington and AAF standout Joey Mbu will compete for playing time.
Undrafted rookie defensive ends Jonathan Ledbetter (Georgia) and Dewayne Hendrix (Pittsburgh) could fill a glaring void at the position.
Veteran tight ends Dwayne Allen, the former Patriots and Indianapolis Colts standout who was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list Sunday, and Clive Walford, the former Miami Hurricanes standout, will provide some competition for secondyear players Mike Gesicki, Durham Smythe and fouryear veteran Nick O’Leary.
The Dolphins have a number of opportunities for players to add depth behind a relatively thin starting lineup and are hoping that some of their low-risk, high-reward signees can fill those voids this season.