The Miami Dolphins actually have some buzz in the building. Ryan Tannehill was a total buzz kill and Adam Gase wanted to rip your face off if you looked at him funny. Now the Dolphins have disciplined Brian Flores and a workable quarterback room. Will the Dolphins actually become watchable? What should we keep tabs on with the Miami Dolphins as they open up training camp?
3 Position Battles To Watch:
Quarterback: Josh Rosen, Ryan Fitzpatrick
This one is too obvious. I don’t think there is a leader in the clubhouse here either. It’s going to come down to practice and preseason performance. Flores coming from New England doesn’t want it any other way. We’re going to find out one way or another if Rosen is the future. Even if Fitzpatrick wins the job out of the gates, can he actually keep it for the entire season?
Wide Receiver: Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, Isaiah Ford, Albert Wilson, Brice Butler
It seems like the entire world has been waiting for DeVante Parker to figure it out. If it doesn’t happen this year, it’s never going to. Kenny Stills is a nice deep threat but that’s about all he is. Jakeem Grant is a special teams guy. Albert Wilson? I really don’t know what he is but it’s not good enough. If one of these quarterbacks is going to thrive in Miami, the weapons need to help them do so.
Tight End: Mike Gesicki, Dwayne Allen, Clive Walford, Nick O’Leary, Durham Smythe
The number of tight ends on the roster is absurd. None of them are super talented outside of Mike Gesicki. We have two distinct groups. Tight ends that can catch but can’t block (Gesicki and O’Leary). Tight ends that can’t catch but can block (Dwayne Allen and Durham Smythe). Maybe they keep all 4! The hell with it!
Ready To Breakout: Minkah Fitzpatrick
This is Tyrann Mathieu all over again. He can play the slot, free safety, or even outside linebacker. Mathieu is the jack of all trades. He’s also f*cking awesome at football too. 2 picks as a rookie is nice but there’s a lot more in the cards for Minkah. Just wait. Let this bake. He’s awesome.
Rookie To Watch: Christian Wilkins
It was to be Christian Wilkins here. Wilkins becomes the face of the Dolphins defense. A face that hasn’t had a real identity since Ndamukong Suh and he was vastly overrated. Wilkins fits here and brings a high character – high motor attitude.
Fantasy Sleeper: Kalen Ballage
Did you know that Ballage ended the 2018 season on fire? Of course, you didn’t. Nobody pays attention to the Dolphins. On 36 carries as a rookie, Ballage averaged 5.2 yards per carry. That’s no joke. Is Kenyan Drake really an every down player? With Frank Gore gone, I think Ballage sees an increase in touches. Don’t be shocked if he turns heads this year. I loved this guy coming out of the draft last year.
