These under-the-radar players are hoping to stick around with the Miami Dolphins
In making more than 250 roster moves in the first year of the Brian Flores regime, the Dolphins took a flyer on dozens and dozens of undrafted prospects, young veteran discards from other teams, even players from the Canadian League.
Many of the low risk moves didn’t bear fruit, and most of those low-budget, low-risk 2019 pickups — from Taco Charlton to Robert Nkemdiche to Adrian Colbert — are long gone.
But several of last year’s pickups have stuck around into early September and are hoping to get a second year here -- from linebacker Sam Eguavoen (who played well late in the year as a pass rusher) to defensive tackle Zach Sieler (big impact in the win against the Bengals) to linebacker Trent Harris (1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the season-ending wins against the Bengals and Patriots).
And so this is the question for Flores and general manager Chris Grier: Which of these players has shown enough in both 2019 and the past month to warrant a second opportunity here on the 53-man roster, with the quality of the roster far better than it was a year ago?
Eguavoen and Sieler are interesting cases.
Initially viewed a middle linebacker who was skilled in pass coverage, Eguavoen was given more chances to rush the passer late last season and responded, with two sacks in the final four games.
But the former CFL standout finds himself in a tight battle with Calvin Munson (who was signed off the Patriots’ practice squad last Dec. 19) and Harris (more of an edge player) and every linebacker placed on waivers this weekend. Last weekend’s trade of Raekwon McMillan to Las Vegas would seemingly help Eguavoen’s chances.
“He has a great skill set, can do a bunch of things,” linebackers coach Anthony Campanile said of Eguavoen, who had 40 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. “He does a good job with everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s an awesome guy to coach. There’s nothing he won’t do for the team.”
But will that be enough to earn a second year?
Sieler, meantime, is competing with Brandin Bryant, Benito Jones and Durval Queiroz Neto for what could be one roster spot if Miami keeps a fourth defensive tackle beyond Christian Wilkins, Davon Godchaux and Raekwon Davis.
Keep in mind that rookie fifth-rounder Jason Strowbridge is an end who can play tackle.
Sieler had a sack, two passes defended and seven tackles in Week 16 against the Bengals.
“There’s definitely potential for some more [with him],” defensive line coach Marion Hobby said. “I thought he’s had a good camp. I think there’s a lot left in his tank. He’s still a young player, but he shows up. He’s another one of those 6-6 guys that has a lot of wingspan. I think he does a great job.”
Another late-season pickup, cornerback Tae Hayes, did good work as a Dolphin in December, allowing only three completions in 16 targets, and that has carried over to camp in his bid to win one of what could be two open cornerback spots. Jamal Perry, Breon Borders and Ken Webster also are competing, with Nik Needham seeming likely to stick.
Defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander said Hayes, Perry and rookie first-rounder Noah Igbinoghene have been working in that nickel corner role.
“Those guys have showed flashes of making some splash plays and having tight coverage on the slot,” Alexander said. “Those guys have done a good job, so I’m – based on what we’ve seen so far going into the season – my comfort level is high on them, them getting into the game.”
Then there’s Shaq Calhoun, who started seven games and appeared in 10 last season but has seemingly been passed by two rookie draft picks — Solomon Kindley and Robert Hunt. That leaves Calhoun competing with two other 2019 pickups — veteran Danny Isidora and Keaton Sutherland — for a backup guard spot.
Running back Patrick Laird also is hoping for a second season here. Myles Gaskin seems to have had the better camp and Laird has been limited in the past week with a shoulder injury sustained when he stretched to catch a poorly-thrown pass from Tua Tagovailoa.
Laird, who excels as a receiver out of the backfield, seems to be competing with newcomer Salvon Ahmed, claimed off waivers from the 49ers, for what could be one spot at running back behind Jordan Howard, Matt Breida and potentially Gaskin, who has drawn effusive praise from coaches.
So has Laird’s absence been hurtful in evaluating him or do the Dolphins know what they have?
“Injuries are part of what we do; it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step up,” running backs coach Eric Studesville said. “Patrick has done a great job with that. We’re evaluating how they handle adversity, how he handles this little setback he’s gotten into right now.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ While his former boss, ex-Dolphins coach Adam Gase, said receiver Jakeem Grant was better suited to play on the boundary than the slot, new receivers coach Josh Grizzard said Grant “has the ability to play outside or inside. I see Jakeem as a guy who can do both.”
▪ Studesville, on the undrafted rookie Ahmed, who averaged 5.7 yards per carry with the Washington Huskies: “Very similar to what Myles did in Washington. Used his speed in space, made a lot of plays up there. Exciting young players.”
▪ Though rookie Malcolm Perry continues to be listed as a running back, Studesville suggested he hasn’t spent a lot of time with Perry.
“He’s got a big job ahead of him learning all the special teams stuff and the wide receiver stuff, which is new for him, too,” Studesville said. “So the possibilities are out there, but we haven’t spent a lot of time with that at all yet.”
▪ Offensive line coach Steve Marshall said a starter at right guard is undetermined. Hunt and Kindley appear to be the top contenders.
Here’s my Wednesday 6-pack of Miami Hurricanes nuggets.
This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 4:42 PM.
