Five questions facing Dolphins on offense in training camp. And the potential answers
Five questions that bear keeping in mind, on offense, when Dolphins training camp begins on Wednesday:
▪ Who’s the starting center, left guard and right tackle?
Connor Williams will be the new starting center unless he bombs in training camp. The Dolphins seem committed to moving him from left guard, and only a bunch of errant snaps or injuries could probably derail that plan.
Meanwhile, there are several reasons why the Dolphins would love to make it work with Austin Jackson at right tackle, as we first reported in March:
As NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said, he’s excellent at the outside zone scheme, which the Dolphins are implementing. In the entire 2020 draft, Jeremiah said he doesn’t know of anyone who fits that scheme better.
His athleticism is well suited to Miami’s scheme. “The upside is endless,” Jeremiah said before that 2020 draft.
And the Dolphins believe it’s far too soon to give up on the idea of an 18th overall pick as a starter. The Dolphins coaches liked Jackson coming out of the draft, as did Dolphins general manager Chris Grier. This staff believes right tackle is an ideal spot for him.
At left guard, I fully expect Liam Eichenberg to be the starter, unless Williams has snapping issues and moves back to guard. As is the case with Jackson, Dolphins management and coaches see Eichenberg as an NFL starter unless he proves to them this season that he’s not.
Terron Armstead will start at left tackle, Rob Hunt at right guard.
Though this staff is giving a fresh look to Solomon Kindley - who seemingly didn’t get a fair shake under the previous regime - Eichenberg is the clear front-runner at left guard.
▪ Who’s the No. 3 running back behind Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert?
I give the edge to Sony Michel over Myles Gaskin, because Michel is a better between-the-tackles runner, a better runner overall last season and the superior pass blocker.
Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Michel 61st as a pass blocker among 157 qualifying running backs. He allowed one sack and three hurries in 55 pass blocking chances.
Gaskin was rated 101st of 157, allowing one sack but seven hurries in 76 pass blocking chances.
All but $22,000 of Gaskin’s $2.6 million cap hit is eliminated if he’s cut. And none of his $2.5 million salary is guaranteed, so that, too, would come off the books if he’s cut. He stands very much at risk. Perhaps he could net a late-round draft pick.
The Dolphins eliminate $900,000 of Michel’s $1.7 million cap hit if he’s cut. But $500,000 of Michel’s $1.2 million salary has already been guaranteed.
So the finances favor Michel.
As for the starting job, that should be an interesting battle between Edmonds and Mostert; Michel could push them.
▪ Who’s the No. 4 receiver?
Rookie Erik Ezukanma will be on the team - along with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Cedrick Wilson Jr. - but that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily the fourth receiver.
Preston Williams, Lynn Bowden Jr., new addition Mohamed Sanu and Trent Sherfield all have a chance to be the fourth receiver, though that player might not be on the field a ton because Mike Gesicki can line up in the slot as a glorified receiver, with Durham Smythe or Adam Shaheen as a second tight end at times.
I wouldn’t be surprised if any of those five - Ezukanma, Williams, Bowden, Sanu or Sherfield - emerges as the fourth most-used receiver. But Williams, Bowden, Sanu and Sherfield are likely battling for only two roster spots or potentially one.
The way Dolphins receivers coach Wes Welker raves about Sherfield - who played for Welker and Mike McDaniel in San Francisco - I would be mildly surprised if he’s cut. Sanu appeared in eight games for the 49ers last season.
▪ Who’s the undrafted rookie with the best chance to stick?
Arizona State offensive tackle Kellen Diesch, mostly because the Dolphins gave him the highest guarantee of their 14 undrafted rookies ($140,000). PFF rated him as the Pac-12’s best offensive tackle last season, but his short arms might make him a better fit at guard.
But don’t rule out South Carolina running back ZaQuandre White, who impressed the staff in OTAs. Anyone who averages 6.2 carries in the SEC (albeit on just 102 career carries) has talent. There could be a scenario where he’s kept ahead of Salvon Ahmed as the No. 4 back, behind Edmonds, Mostert and either Michel or less likely, Gaskin.
Braylon Sanders’ 21.1 career yards per catch average on 69 catches at Mississippi reflect his unique skill - speed - though his route tree is limited. He’s more likely to make the practice squad.
▪ What surprise name could be at risk of being cut beyond Gaskin, Ahmed and a veteran receiver?
Because the Dolphins are committing a roster spot to a fullback (Alec Ingold), they must decide whether to keep both an H-back (Cethan Carter) and a fourth tight end (Adam Shaheen), one of the two or neither.
Shaheen might again play ahead of Hunter Long if he makes the team, but the Dolphins’ depth at the position (Gesicki, Smythe, Long, Shaheen) puts Shaheen at risk, considering none of his $1.6 million salary is guaranteed and there’s a $1.8 million cap savings if he’s cut. He has a $2.1 million cap hit if he’s on the team.
Keep in mind that the 49ers - where McDaniel coached - used two tight-end sets just 10 percent of their offensive snaps last season, compared to 61 percent for the Dolphins. So there might not be a need to carry four tight ends any longer.
Carter - like Shaheen - also seems at risk; none of Carter’s $2.3 million salary is guaranteed, and his entire $2.5 million cap hit is eliminated if he’s cut.
Left tackle Greg Little also stands very much at risk.
This story was originally published July 26, 2022 at 3:28 PM.
