Dolphins stock report: Who’s rising and falling after offseason workout program?
As the Dolphins wrap up their offseason workout program this week, first-year head coach Mike McDaniel can check off two major boxes entering the summer. One, the team avoided any major injuries, and players recovering from previous ailments are on schedule in their rehabilitation. Two, the Dolphins got good work installing a new offense and piecing back together a defense that was kept intact, from all 11 starters to coordinator Josh Boyer.
“We have just enough taste of what we’re good at and what we need to work on,” McDaniel said of the offense Tuesday.
Despite the two months of classroom sessions, workouts and practices the Dolphins have put in, a good reminder is that it’s still just June. Players who sat out organized team activities such as left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Xavien Howard, will return to the lineup. Injuries are inevitable and players who didn’t catch one’s eye during the spring will come alive with full pads, while others will step out of the spotlight. Still, the five OTA sessions open to reporters gave a good first look at what a McDaniel-led team will resemble in 2022 and how certain players fit.
Here’s a look at who is rising and falling after the offseason workout program.
Rising
▪ Jevon Holland: The second-year safety is a candidate to have a breakout season in 2022 and looked the part during the offseason workout program. He entered OTAs appearing bigger and with a better understanding of the defense after starting 13 games as a rookie. OTAs aren’t full contact, so we didn’t get to see Holland drop his shoulder into any offensive players. But the 2021 second-round pick was flying around the field and came away with an interception during 11-on-11 drills. Holland was one of several players who received practice player of the day honors, which comes with wearing an orange jersey the following session and controlling the music.
▪ Christian Wilkins: It’s always tough to analyze trench play during this time of the year, as offensive and defensive linemen are trying to avoid major collisions. Much of the install up front, especially with run plays, becomes a glorified walk-through at times. But the defense had its way with the offense during many OTA practices, and that started with the defensive line. Wilkins was frequently at the center of it all, delivering some dominant sequences in team drills, with multiple would-be sacks and tackles for loss. It was a good start for Wilkins, who had his fifth-year option exercised and is eligible for a long-term extension.
▪ Duke Riley: When the Dolphins drafted former Georgia inside linebacker Channing Tindall in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Riley was a player who was assumed to be pushed closer to the roster bubble. However, Riley, who re-signed to the team on a one-year, $3 million deal, has begun to stake his claim to remain a part of the defense this upcoming season. With linebacker Jerome Baker only participating in a few practices open to reporters, Riley got extensive action. He was extremely vocal during team drills, getting teammates lined up and using his speed to make a difference. He capped off a productive spring by registering an interception on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Tuesday that likely would have been returned for a touchdown.
Falling
▪ Michael Deiter: The Dolphins didn’t select a center in the draft and didn’t sign a veteran, keeping Deiter as the apparent front-runner for the starting spot. However, new signee Connor Williams confirmed the team plans to play him at center despite primarily playing left guard with the Dallas Cowboys. While the Dolphins media policy prohibits reporters from stating where players are lining up and whether it’s with the first team, second team, etc., the Miami Herald has previously reported that the expectation is Liam Eichenberg will start at left guard while Austin Jackson is expected to play right tackle. Dolphins coaches have already said Armstead will be the left tackle, so one can connect the pieces and see where that leaves Deiter. A 2019 third-round pick, Deiter is still likely to make the roster and provides positional versatility. But he faces an uphill battle to retain his role from 2021.
▪ Undrafted rookies: This isn’t to say that the Dolphins’ large group of undrafted rookies has looked bad. However, McDaniel put it best when asked if any have caught his attention yet.
“It’s so hard,” he said. “Just really think about it for a second how difficult — I say it to the rookies all the time — the undertaking they have where they’re transitioning from a different game and these are grown men that have been earning a paycheck and you’re trying to get reps from them and perform at a high level.”
McDaniel did name former South Carolina running back ZaQuandre White as someone who has impressed but added a caveat that it’s easier to say that because he gets the ball during team drills. The Dolphins have had a lot of success in recent years unearthing undrafted gems but unlike previous seasons, they have not only talent across the board but good depth. Much can change between now and the deadline to cut the roster to 53 players, but it seems like spots will be limited — more so than usual — for undrafted rookies.
This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 11:24 AM.
