Dolphins position review: Can special teams rebound after regressing in 2021?
Special teams was not exempt from the Dolphins’ regression in 2021 and now the team is hoping that side of the ball can return to its 2020 ways when two players were named to the Associated Press All-Pro team. In the 11th and last of a series of position reviews, the Miami Herald will examine the Dolphins’ special teams situation.
2021 IN REVIEW
Last summer, the Dolphins could boast of a special teams unit that was one of the NFL’s best — it finished sixth in Football Outsiders’ efficiency metrics in 2020 — and led by kicker Jason Sanders, a first-team All-Pro selection. While questions persisted about return specialist Jakeem Grant’s future with the team, he was still an accomplished returner who also had All-Pro honors. By Week 5, however, Grant was traded to the Chicago Bears, and as the season continued, it was clear 2021 was not 2020. Sanders failed to retain his All-Pro form, new punter Michael Palardy struggled for much of the season and the Dolphins failed to find a consistent new returner. The Dolphins’ special reams ranked 29th in 2021, according to Football Outsiders.
DEPTH CHART
Jason Sanders
▪ Skinny: Sanders was never able to regain his All-Pro form of 2020. He was 23-for-31 on field-goal attempts, the lowest percentage of his career, and he was 2-of-6 on attempts of 50 or more yards after making 8-of-9 in 2020. Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman — who was retained by coach Mike McDaniel — never pinpointed exactly what was the cause of Sanders’ downturn.
▪ Contract: Sanders, 26, is entering the first year of a five-year extension he signed in 2021. He has a cap hit of $3,150,000.
Michael Palardy
▪ Skinny: Palardy had an uneven first year as the Dolphins’ punter but improved in the second half of the season, which included earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 13. His 44.7 yards per punt averaged ranked 20th but he landed 31 punts inside the 20-yard line, which ranked third.
▪ Contract: Palardy, 29, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Blake Ferguson
▪ Skinny: Ferguson completed his second season as the Dolphins’ long snapper.
▪ Contract: Ferguson, 24, is entering the third year of a four-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $942,613.
Jaylen Waddle
▪ Skinny: Waddle was given a few opportunities as a kick returner and punt returner but never broke loose like many were accustomed to seeing him do at Alabama. He averaged 17.6 yards per kick return and seven yards per punt return.
▪ Contract: Waddle, 23, is entering the second year of a five-year rookie contract, with a team option for the fifth season. He has a cap hit of $6,155,908.
Jevon Holland
▪ Skinny: Holland split punt return duties with Waddle. He had 12 returns for 92 yards.
▪ Contract: Holland, 22, is entering the second year of a four-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $1,981,001.
Clayton Fejedelem
▪ Skinny: Fejedelem led the Dolphins with 396 special teams snaps.
▪ Contract: Fejedelem, 28, is entering the final year of a three-year contract. He has a cap hit of $2,775,000 but the Dolphins can save that in its entirety by releasing or trading Fejedelem.
Samuel Eguavoen
▪ Skinny: Eguavoen’s 281 special teams snaps ranked second on the team.
▪ Contract: Eguaoven, 29, is headed for restricted free agency.
Mack Hollins
▪ Skinny: Hollins’ 277 special teams snaps were third-most on the team and he was one of the best gunners in the league, along with his timely contributions as a receiver.
▪ Contract: Hollins, 28, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
OFFSEASON QUESTIONS
1. Do we see 2020 Sanders in 2022?
Life as a kicker can be fickle, with success literally defined by a matter of inches. Sanders’ year-by-year kicking reflects that. He made 90 percent of his attempts as a rookie in 2018, 76.7 percent in 2019, 92.3 percent in his All-Pro 2020 season before dropping to 74.2 percent in 2021. If 2022 follows the trend, it should be a good one for Sanders and the Dolphins.
2. Can the Dolphins find a legitimate returner specialist?
Grant hadn’t offered much in the four games before he was traded but as a former All-Pro, there was always the threat of a big return. The Dolphins were never able to find someone to present that threat after his departure. They ranked 31st in yards per kick return (17.4) and yards per punt return (6.6). and Waddle and Holland mainly avoided big mistakes but their value on offense and defense, respectively, is immense. The Dolphins are better off finding an experienced return specialist and keeping their young stars out of harm’s way.
3. Are the Dolphins in the market for another punter?
If you only look at Palardy’s average, you see an average-to-below average punter. But Palardy was one of the league’s best in flipping the field and downing the ball inside the 20-yard line, with help from players such as Hollins. The Dolphins could retain Palardy on a modest deal or opt for someone with more leg power and consistency.
POTENTIAL ADDITIONS
If the Dolphins want to bring in a bonafide return specialist this offseason, they’ll have plenty of options. The New York Jets’ Braxton Berrios is a University of Miami alum who was voted first-team All-Pro as a returner this past season. He could also fill a role as a slot receiver. And the Atlanta Falcons’ Cordarelle Patterson was maybe Deebo Samuel before Deebo Samuel, recording a career-high 618 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. The multi-hyphenate could be a versatile chess piece in McDaniel’s offense.
As for punters, the Dallas Cowboys are reportedly not re-signing Bryan Anger, who was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2021. Anger ranked fourth in yards per punt (48.4). In the draft, San Diego State’s Matt Araiza is regarded as the top punter and put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine. He could be an early Day 3 pick for teams in need of a punter. The last time the Dolphins picked a punter was in 2007 when they selected Brandon Fields in the seventh round.
DOLPHINS POSITION REVIEWS
S: Will young safety duo cement itself as one of NFL’s best?
CB: Miami’s high-priced cornerback duo set to return for Year 3
OLB: What’s the next step for an ascending outside linebacker?
ILB: A new inside linebacker running mate for Jerome Baker?
DL: Big decisions to be made on top defensive linemen
TE: Will Miami be able to keep its free agent tight ends?
OL: Will Miami splurge on offensive line in free agency?
WR: What wide receiver will complement Jaylen Waddle in 2022?
RB: Will Miami finally use a high draft pick on a running back?
QB: Dolphins appear all-in on Tagovailoa but who joins QB room?
This story was originally published March 10, 2022 at 9:19 AM.
