Miami Dolphins 2022 Training Camp Preview
The Miami Dolphins are heading into the upcoming season with new head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins finished 9-8 last season, missing the playoffs and finishing third in the AFC East. However, the winds of change are blowing towards Miami, especially after their offseason acquisition of wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs. Besides this move, the Dolphins also filled out their running back room by signing Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. They also bolstered their offensive line with the additions of Terron Armstead and Connor Williams. The Dolphins are trying to run it back with a defense led by top three cornerback Xavien Howard, cornerback Byron Jones, and defensive end Christian Wilkins. Miami now has a lot of talent throughout their roster on both sides of the ball, including young wide receiver Jaylen Waddle — who is a great fit with quarterback Tua Tagovailova. Ultimately, the Dolphins will go as far as Tagovailoa will take them, so 2022 will help in determining if he is the franchise QB going forward. Now, these are things to watch for as the Miami Dolphins head into their 2022 training camp.
Three Position Battles to Watch
Running Back: Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert
The battle for the starting running back position is between Miami’s two free agent signings. Chase Edmonds is a solid running back that has spent his last four years in Arizona. He got over 100 carries last year illustrating he is capable of a higher workload and has a strong base as an effective pass-catching running back. Raheem Mostert was a bit of a journeyman before finding success in San Francisco where he spent the last six years. He is a good runner with the type of in-game speed that might make him the fastest player in the league. The Dolphins upgraded at running back, now boasting two good options in the backfield. It will be interesting to see who wins the starting nod but as of right now Edmonds is RB1.
Linebacker: Elandon Roberts, Channing Tindall
Elandon Roberts spent his first four years with the division rival New England Patriots before playing for the Dolphins the last two seasons. Roberts was great for the Dolphins last year, finishing with 83 total tackles and one incredible 85-yard pick-six. However, he has some competition after Miami drafted linebacker Channing Tindall in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. He is an inexperienced linebacker with great speed, athleticism, and pursuit skills. He probably needs time to better develop his play recognition and instincts, but he has the talent to make the battle competitive. This position battle comes down to the consistent veteran versus the higher ceiling inexperienced rookie.
Linebacker: Andrew Van Ginkel, Melvin Ingram III
The Dolphins have a fantastic secondary and are strong in the trenches, so the other position battle stays in the linebacker group. Andrew Van Ginkel was selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he has slowly carved out more time for himself every season. He started 14 games last year finishing with 71 total tackles and seven pass deflections. He has gotten better every year and has chemistry with the defense, but the Dolphins acquired Melvin Ingram in free agency. Ingram is an older veteran heading into his 11th year but is only two years removed from being a Pro Bowler from 2017-2019. He gives the Dolphins more experience as well as someone that can get to the QB. It will be interesting to see the Dolphins starting linebacker group come week one of the 2022 season.
Ready to Breakout: Jevon Holland
There is a clear breakout star on the Miami Dolphins’ defense this year and his name is Jevon Holland. He was one of my favorite prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft after a great career at Oregon. Holland wrapped up his rookie season with an impressive 69 total tackles, ten passes deflected, and two interceptions. He was able to do a little bit of everything and showed he can contribute in multiple ways on the field. He is poised for a breakout as all his stats will increase next year and could help make the Dolphins’ secondary one of the best in the league. The trio of Xavien Howard, Byron Jones, and Holland will be an effective ball-hawking secondary that will cause trouble for NFL offenses.
Rookie to Watch: Channing Tindall
The Miami Dolphins did not have any first or second round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft due to the Tyreek Hill trade. However, they made a great selection for their first pick in the draft when they nabbed Channing Tindall in the third round. He has a good frame with a fantastic athletic profile, but he does not have the best collegiate stats. That is for a very good reason as Tindall played on the stacked national championship Georgia defense led by linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean. Tindall, while not receiving the most playing time, flashed his skills and showed he can play winning football on a championship team. He has the tools and skills to be a good linebacker in the NFL so once he gains more experience, he can be a great option for the Dolphins later in the season.
Fantasy Sleeper: Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill and future top ten wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will be gone by the third round in fantasy drafts. Also, running backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert will have value but it is not clear to me how much and if they fit the sleeper category. I picked Cedrick Wilson Jr. as the Dolphins’ fantasy sleeper since he is the wide receiver three. Wilson has the talent to be a strong third option for the Dolphins and showed he can still be effective in a crowded wide receiver room as he did on the Dallas Cowboys last year. He is heading into his fourth year, and he has played all 16 games twice which demonstrates that he is reliable. He finished with 45 receptions, 602 yards, and six touchdowns last year and I expect these numbers to go up this year. Wilson is a sleeper because he is a talented wide receiver in a hopefully strong passing game, which is possible because Tua will have multiple opportunities to succeed in 2022, and Wilson will be a cheap option that people can select late in fantasy drafts.
