Where the Miami Dolphins stand at every position on defense, with insight from coaches
Eight practices into training camp, there’s some measure of clarity about this Dolphins defense, but a bunch of issues still need to be sorted out.
Where things stand, by position, with thoughts offered Thursday by five Dolphins defensive coaches:
▪ Defensive tackle: Rookie Raekwon Davis, selected 56th overall, “has looked impressive,” defensive line coach Marion Hobby said. “Big man, powerful, sticks out in the run game.”
Asked if Davis is pushing Davon Godchaux and Christian Wilkins, Hobby made clear that all three will play.
“All three are competing at a high level,” Hobby said. “With a 16-game season and planning on winning a lot of games, all three are very important to what we’re doing. If you can keep guys fresh, you’re really in good shape.”
When a reporter told Hobby that Wilkins appears to be in fewer defensive packages than a year ago, Hobby didn’t dispute that but said Wilkins hasn’t complained and is “still getting plenty of reps.” Hobby also cited the upshot of “keeping guys fresh.”
Zach Sieler, Brandin Bryant, Durval Queiroz-Neto and Benito Jones are competing for a backup tackle job, with rookie Jason Strowbridge able to play both defensive tackle and defensive end.
▪ Defensive end: Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah generally have been as advertised — skilled pass rushers and stout against the run.
“Both these guys are diligent workers, have made the most of opportunities in practice,” defensive coordinator Josh Boyer said. But… “there are some plays they would like to have back.”
Keep in mind that Wilkins plays some defensive end when Miami is in a 3-4.
Beyond Strowbridge and the aforementioned veterans, there might not be another defensive end in camp that makes the 53. Undrafted rookie Tyshun Render hasn’t particularly stood out.
▪ Linebacker/edge role: With Vince Biegel out for the season with an Achilles’ injury, Andrew Van Ginkel has made a strong case for playing time. He batted down two passes on Tuesday (intercepting one of them) and has been around the ball a lot.
“The biggest thing Gink has done is he’s got a lot stronger at the point of attack,” outside linebackers coach Austin Clark said. “He would tell you that. He knows how to use his length and athleticism and has found some niches in his game and go-to stuff. He’s a very smart player who understands the scheme.”
Elandon Roberts and Kyle Van Noy also can play on the edge, though the Dolphins might decide that Van Noy — who will assuredly play every down — might have more value inside. Trent Harris also is competing in that edge position.
The battle for playing time alongside Van Noy and Jerome Baker remains among the most competitive in camp.
It’s clear the Dolphins like new additions Roberts (via New England) and Kamu Grugier-Hill (via Philadelphia). Both have starting experience and both are very much in the mix to start this season.
“Kamu is a great athlete, physical guy and gives you an opportunity to do a lot of things with his physical ability,” linebackers coach Anthony Campanile said. “Elandon is a tremendous leader, has great physicality in the run game.”
Though Raekwon McMillan has had a less prominent role in camp than the newcomers, Dolphins coaches keep insisting he’s valued.
“He’s done a great job,” Campanile said. “Physical guy, has continued to develop all through camp.”
McMillan might be Miami’s best run defender at linebacker, but the issue remains how much coaches trust him in coverage in a pass-heavy league.
Calvin Munson and Sam Eguavoen sit very much on the bubble. James Crawford and Kylan Johnson face longer odds.
▪ Safety: It was notable that in discussing the importance of having skilled coverage players at safety in this modern NFL, defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander mentioned not only presumptive starters Bobby McCain and Eric Rowe, but also rookie Brandon Jones.
“You need guys athletic enough to cover in space,” Alexander said. “When you have guys like Bobby, Eric, Brandon — who are really good in space but also are smart, great communicators and tough enough to support the run, those guys are valued in today’s game.”
Unresolved is which safety gets the most playing time beyond McCain and Rowe; Jones and former Cowboys backup Kavon Frazier are the prime candidates. Clayton Fejedelem likely makes the 53 because of his special teams value.
Nate Brooks (the only played listed by the Dolphins simply as a defensive back instead of a corner or safety), former CFL standout Nate Holley and Jeremiah Dinson are also competing.
▪ Cornerback: Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Noah Igbinoghene obviously will be on the team. And Nik Needham seems likely to stick, leaving perhaps two other cornerback jobs open on the 53.
An additional cornerback could make the 53 if Howard — off December knee surgery — isn’t ready for the Sept. 13 opener at New England.
When it was noted by a reporter that Needham, Breon Borders and Tae Hayes had seemed to impress among the young cornerbacks battling for jobs, Alexander didn’t dispute that but declined to say which of the young corners had most distinguished himself.
“Breon, Nick, Noah… those guys have done a good job competing, being in good position, getting hands on the football,” Alexander said. “Everyone is doing exactly what we want them to do.”
Also competing for those open backup cornerback jobs: Jamal Perry, Ken Webster and Deatrick Nichols.
Is Igbinoghene, the 30th overall pick in April, ready to play substantial NFL snaps?
“Noah has had a productive camp for us,” Boyer responded. “We’re going to hope that continues and strive for improvement on that. I think when he gets the opportunity hopefully he will make the most of it. You’ve got to earn your right to go out there and play. He’s working hard toward that. Time will tell.”
PRACTICE UPDATE
At least five NFL teams canceled practice on Thursday to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin on Sunday night. Dolphins players had a scheduled day off on Thursday and are scheduled, at this point, to practice on Friday, with a Saturday scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium.
▪ The Dolphins released rookie center Donell Stanley, the undrafted player from South Carolina. Michael Deiter, who started at guard last season, is being given the opportunity to win the backup center job behind starter Ted Karras.
Here’s my Wednesday night piece on Miami cutting Kalen Ballage, adding another running back and bringing in two familiar faces.
Here’s my Wednesday piece with a rare glimpse into a private conversation between Chris Grier and Tua Tagovailoa, and notes.
Here’s our Wednesday practice report, with the Dolphins off on Thursday.
This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 10:49 AM.
