NFL evaluators assess how the Miami Dolphins stack up, by position, on defense
For an outside view of the Dolphins roster, we spoke with two longtime NFL front office executives and former NFL scout Matt Williamson (who hosts the Locked on the NFL podcast) for some input.
Here’s how they assessed the Dolphins’ offense.
Here’s how they assess Miami’s defense, by position, with the executives requesting anonymity because the first is not authorized to speak publicly and the second (a former executive) does not wish to criticize players with whom he might interact in the future:
DEFENSIVE LINE
Williamson: “The defensive ends [Emmanuel Ogbah, Shaq Lawson] are place holders. They’re not very dynamic, but they’re very physical - which is a trend with this team - and they’re good against the run.
“There’s some position versatility there, but it’s a bunch of Robins, not Batmans. The defensive tackles [Christian Wilkins, Davon Godchaux, Raekwon Davis, Zach Sieler] are a good young group; the arrow is pointing up for that group.”
Executive 1: “That’s a formidable group. Ogbah and Lawson are good players, two good signings. It will be interesting what Davis can do; he was highly touted but didn’t have a great year [at Alabama]. Wilkins is a load; he will be a good player.”
Executive 2: “They’re OK, decent. With Ogbah and Lawson, I don’t know if they’re dynamic. Neither has been great, but they’re tough, versatile guys. I like Ogbah better; he’s been the more consistent guy. Shaq has been hurt, but it says something that his college position coach wanted him.” (That’s Dolphins defensive line coach Marion Hobby, who coached Lawson at Clemson.)
“I’m comfortable with their defensive tackles, if Raekwon Davis works out. It’s a good group. Davon Godchaux is good enough [to start at nose tackle] on a good team if you don’t overload him. You need to rotate him” with a player of comparable talent.
LINEBACKER
Williamson: “There’s versatility there but there’s no dynamic sideline to sideline guy. I like Kyle Van Noy but he’s not super fast sideline to sideline; he’s more a line of scrimmage run-stuffer than someone who’s going to cover a lot of ground on the second level. Jerome Baker is promising but [you want to see more].”
He isn’t sure what Miami can get from Elandon Roberts or Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Raekwon McMillan remains a run-down only player, in Williamson’s view. “They might need to address this next year,” he said.
Executive 1: “I know they paid Van Noy a lot, and he will help, but the rest are all average or slightly above average players. Nobody dominant in that group.”
Executive 2: “I like Van Noy; he’s a really smart veteran player. The rest of the guys are OK. Raekwon is a solid two-down player. Jerome Baker is a B player; he can run and he has the most athleticism of the group but I don’t think he’s ever going to be a Pro Bowl guy. Elandon Roberts and Kamu Grugier-Hill are backups and special teams players.”
CORNERBACKS
Williamson: With Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, “that’s obviously the strength of the team, and they have the players to play man to man.” He said he likes the Noah Igbinoghene draft pick because “the first round was about getting high value premium positions - corner, left tackle. So you might as well build on a strength, which they did.”
Executive 1: “That’s the part of their team which is playoff-caliber.”
Executive 2: “That’s obviously a really good group. I think Igbinoghene has a really good chance to start opening day [in nickel packages with Howard and Jones].” Even though Miami’s nickel back is likely to be targeted, the executive said teams can do only so much to scheme against Howard and Jones.
SAFETIES
Williamson: “Pedestrian group. I know [Eric] Rowe played well, and maybe a guy emerges [among Bobby McCain, Adrian Colbert, Kavon Frazier, Brandon Jones, Clayton Fejedelem]. Not sure there’s a No. 1 in that group.”
Executive 1: “Average group.” He questioned whether Rowe/McCain will be strong enough against the run.
Executive 2: Going with converted corners Rowe and McCain, “there are parts of it I like, the idea of having as many corners on the field as possible. You could say they’re [vulnerable] against the run [with two corners at safety], but nobody is going to be patient enough to keep running the ball.
“Rowe is a solid veteran guy, knows the scheme. McCain was OK at safety; he’s a really good nickel and I would put him back at corner.”
OVERALL
Williamson: “I would put their over/under at 5 1/2 [wins] because the Jets and Bills have gotten better. But they have a very good plan and a good coach, and they have their quarterback. They’re ahead of schedule” in the rebuild.
Executive 1: “Maybe they get to six wins. To me, they haven’t improved much offensively [for 2020 only] keeping in mind that the young tackles need time to develop and Tua might not play much this year. They’re a little better at running back” - though that executive preferred Kenyan Drake to what they have now.
Executive 2: He said he sees this being a six-win team, maybe seven.
But all three thought the future was promising, provided Tagovailoa stays healthy and the rookie offensive tackles (Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt) become good players.
Here’s my Tuesday story (with Adam Beasley) on what some Dolphins are doing together this offseason, an injury update and more.
Here’s my Tuesday 6-pack of Miami Heat nuggets.
Here’s my Tuesday in-depth look at how the coronavirus pandemic affects the Marlins’ future. There’s some good and bad news.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 9:39 PM.
