‘So good, so young:’ Dolphins rookie safety Jevon Holland raising eyebrows around NFL
You know what surprised the Dolphins about rookie safety Jevon Holland?
Not the athleticism; the Dolphins knew about that.
Not that ball-hawking skills; the Dolphins knew about that, too.
Not the communication skills; the Dolphins knew that he could intelligently and clearly articulate the call to his teammates before the ball is snapped.
“The only thing that would be very surprising is his professionalism, now that I see him day-to-day,” defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander said. “I wasn’t around him other than recruiting him. You see a guy who doesn’t necessarily operate as a rookie as far as how he’s diligent about his preparation.”
Holland bypassed an offer from California when Alexander was an assistant coach there and instead opted for Oregon, where he had nine interceptions in two seasons.
Those ball-hawking skills have carried over to the NFL; his two interceptions are most among NFL rookie safeties.
During ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast this week, analyst and former NFL personnel man Louis Riddick predicted he will become an All-Pro safety.
“You know from the intangibles he had, his personality, his athletic skill set, that he could do some special things if he got in the right situation,” Alexander said.
“He’s continued to improve on a weekly basis. From the time I’ve seen him in high school, he [seems to] have a great time playing with his teammates. Just because the logo has changed and the level has changed, he hasn’t changed at all. He’s still having fun.”
The Dolphins believe he can be an elite player, even though they’re reluctant to say it publicly because of the natural inclination to not raise expectations about anyone, let alone a rookie.
“So good, so young,” NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger said of Holland. “That kid rules the middle of the field. He’s an exiting player.”
How big a gap is there from where he is now to his ceiling?
“I don’t know how big the gap is, but our focus is day to day improvement,” Alexander said. “He’s not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination. He’s definitely had some early success. He’s done a good job so far, put himself in position to make some plays. We knew he had those qualities.”
Even though Bobby McCain was very effective in coverage last season and an excellent communicator, the Dolphins cut him in May not only to save cap space but also because of faith in Holland’s ability to seize an early role.
Holland (listed at 6-1 and 207 pounds) gives them a bigger physical presence than the 5-19, 196-pound McCain; Holland is better equipped to stop the run.
Here’s how they have compared this season, with McCain having started 11 games for Washington:
McCain has permitted 17 of 27 passes in his coverage area to be caught for 312 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. That’s a 96.5 passer rating in his coverage area.
Holland has allowed 10 of 18 passes thrown in his coverage area to be caught for 205 yards, three touchdowns and the two interceptions. That’s a 95.8 passer rating in his coverage area.
Among 91 qualifying safeties, Pro Football Focus ranks Holland eighth and McCain 51st.
As a run defender, PFF rates Holland 15th of 91 safeties and McCain 37th.
Holland’s skills as a blitzer also are well above average. Holland and teammate Brandon Jones are tied for the NFL lead in quarterback pressures among safeties with 16. Holland’s three sacks are tied for second most among safeties, behind Jones’ five.
Holland also has three fumble recoveries.
Asked if there was concern among players when McCain was released - and whether Holland has allayed those concerns - receiver Mack Hollins gave a thoughtful answer:
“I think in this business, there’s always a risk in getting rid of somebody who has been here who has a role — whether that he is a leader in the locker room, a dude that produces on offense or defense or in the kicking game,” Hollins said.
“There’s always a risk in doing that. I think the only way to mediate that risk is by getting a player who can fill a lot of those roles. Obviously Bobby was doing a lot of things. He was producing, he was a leader, he brought energy. Jevon has done a great job at filling a lot of those roles.
“He’s a young player. It’s hard to just immediately become a leader. But I think the one thing about this league is if you become a good player, it’s easier to transition into becoming a leader. I think he’s on that path. I think a lot of that risk was mitigated by getting ‘Snowman.’”
Snowman is Holland’s nickname among peers because he wears the jersey 8 (which resembles a snowman) and was born in Canada, where snow is common.
“He’s been playing well; I wouldn’t tell him to his face,” Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones said. “His growth has been impressive — his leadership, his ability to understand plays and get us into the right calls. For a young guy to come in and play like that at this level is really impressive.”
Even though the Dolphins, understandably, don’t want to crown him as the next big thing at safety.
THIS AND THAT
The Dolphins made six roster moves Wednesday: They removed five players from the COVID-19 list: tight end Cethan Carter, linebacker Duke Riley, cornerback Justin Coleman, guard Robert Jones and center Greg Mancz.
Practice squad center Spencer Pulley was placed on the COVID-19 list.
▪ Not a single Dolphins player was limited in practice on Wednesday.
Linebacker Brennan Scarlett, who has missed the past three games with a knee injury, returned to practice and is eligible to be activated.
▪ Linebacker Darrius Hodge, who has been suspended by the NFL for the past two games, returned to practice. He hasn’t played a snap for the Dolphins since being claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on Nov. 6.
▪ The Dolphins auditioned punt/kickoff returners JoJo Natson (from Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson), De’Mornay Pierson-El, Trey Quinn, Greg Stroman and Darrius Shephard but did not immediately sign any of them.
Miami used Tommylee Lewis on returns the past two games, but he will miss the remainder of the regular season with a hip injury.
Jaylen Waddle and Holland could resume handling returns, or Miami could opt for another internal option such as Noah Igbinoghene or Phillip Lindsay.
This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 5:32 PM.
