The Dolphins added a bunch of new players in 2019. Here are the most pleasant surprises
In a year spent churning the roster and rummaging through undrafted free agents and other teams’ discards, the Miami Dolphins have acquired at least a handful of players who could actually be around when the team is ready to compete.
A look at the four most pleasant surprises among 2019 Dolphins additions:
PRESTON WILLIAMS
You knew the undrafted rookie receiver from Colorado State had a chance to be special when he made a handful of impressive catches in the offseason program, and when cornerback Xavien Howard said — unsolicited — that Williams would be a No. 1 receiver some day.
Williams was among the rookie leaders in receiving (32 catches, 428 yards, three touchdowns) before a torn ACL sidelined him for the season in mid-November, after eight games and seven starts. The hope is that he will be back by some point in training camp or preseason, and the Dolphins believe they have a top-three caliber receiver under team control for the next three seasons.
“Preston really jumped out early, worked hard every day, had a smile on his face,” quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “I’m very excited for him and his future and whatever that holds. I know it’ll be bright. He’s already in here working his tail off trying to get back.”
Receivers coach Karl Dorrell said: “I’m very encouraged that he’s going to have an excellent NFL career. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to a short end for this particular season, but I know he’ll recover and work and get himself back in the fold. He should be proud of what he’s accomplished, but also he should be hungry; he knows that there’s a lot more out there. I would expect you’re going to see a cleaner, more consistent player the next time he steps on the field.”
ERIC ROWE
Early in October, the Dolphins took an average cornerback — who looked like he might be a one-and-done here — and shifted him to safety, where his play and metrics have been consistently good, so good that the team gave him a three-year, $18 million extension.
“You just really can’t say enough good things about his work ethic, his mentality, his selflessness to the team,” said cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer, who worked with Rowe in New England the previous three seasons.
In 10 games since moving to safety, Rowe has allowed an impressive 65.4 passer rating in his coverage area and has been particularly effective against tight ends. Since his move to safety, opposing quarterbacks have targeted him 39 times in coverage, with 20 completions for 193 yards and no touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I think Eric, from the minute that we had him in New England, there was always the versatility,” Boyer said.
VINCE BIEGEL
When veteran Kiko Alonso asked for a trade and New Orleans showed interest, the Dolphins wisely asked for Biegel, who — because of limited defensive opportunities — was better known for special teams contributions and his past work helping run his family’s cranberry farm in Wisconsin Rapids.
A former fourth-round pick of the Packers out of Wisconsin, Biegel has usually played the second-most snaps among linebackers in the past two months (behind Jerome Baker) and ranks 21st in the league among edge players with 27 quarterback pressures, per PFF. He has two sacks a forced fumble.
“You don’t have to say anything to Vince to get him going,” linebackers coach Rob Leonard said. “He lights a fire to the whole defense. I just try to channel it to get that motor pointed in the right direction.
“He’s only going to get better in my opinion because any guy that has a motor that burns hot like that is [positioned to succeed]. He can definitely help us [in the future]. I like Vince a lot. Guys like that are fun to be around, and they bring a lot of energy to the room.”
Biegel, who’s dealing with an elbow injury sustained in the Cincinnati game, said he has relished playing a lot of roles in this defense — ”outside linebacker, inside linebacker, six technique, four technique, pseudo nose tackle, which I had never done before” - and hopes to be part of this defense for years to come.
Dolphins general manager “Chris Grier saw skills they liked in me,” he said. “I have the body type to do different things [in this defense]. This is the opportunity that I’ve been able to grow the most from in my career.”
Biegel can become a restricted free agent in March, with Miami expected to tender him to retain his rights.
NIK NEEDHAM
In March, Boyer was watching UTEP tape when he told Flores that he found a prospect “who’s pretty decent,’ ” Flores said.
“When he says ‘pretty decent,’ that means he’s probably pretty good,” Flores said.
Though he has struggled recently, he has two interceptions and a forced fumble and has displayed enough ball skills and competitiveness since his Oct. 12 promotion from the practice squad to leave the staff believing he could be a future piece.
“I think Nik has played well overall,” Flores said. “He’s a young player. He’s smart. He tackles. He’s tough. He’s made a lot of plays over the course of the season and he’s really improved. He’s given some up as well, but he’s gotten better, and that’s really what you are looking for.”
During the Cleveland game, Pro Bowl receiver Odell Beckham Jr. told Needham that he likes how he extends his arms to defend receivers.
Other newcomers who also qualify as pleasant surprises include running back Patrick Laird, new defensive tackle Zach Sieler and safety Steven Parker.
Please click here for my other Tuesday Dolphins piece, with a lot more notes.
This story was originally published December 24, 2019 at 2:57 PM.
