DeeJay Dallas Could be Late Round Steal for Dolphins

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DeeJay Dallas may be worth a late round flyer from the Miami Dolphins.

All the talk surrounding the 2020 NFL Draft for the Dolphins has been focused on the quarterback position.

Rightfully so.

With an abundance of draft capital and a lot of new faces via free agency, Miami is poised for a quick resurgence.

The Dolphins added running back Jordan Howard in free agency but will likely be in the mix for another back via the draft.

 

Howard is an upgrade over anyone in the Miami backfield, which isn’t saying much.

He is a safe player with a low ceiling, yet has shown some promise.

Howard averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns last year in Philadelphia before missing the last six games with a shoulder injury.

The Dolphins were the worst rushing team in the NFL last year in both yards per game (72.2) and yards per carry (3.3).

That being said, this year may not be the one to waste a high draft pick on perhaps the most interchangeable position in football.

 

A familiar face could sneak onto the Dolphins’ radar in the late rounds.

DeeJay Dallas also had his season, and college career, end on a down note with an elbow injury in the disaster versus FIU.

He finished his three year college career with 1527 yards on 265 carries for a healthy 5.8 YPC.

There is a lot to like about Dallas, from his toughness on the field to his leadership off it.

 

He is a willing blocker in pass protection and can contribute in the pass game as well.

Dallas had a solid combine and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash, he can also impact the game as a kick returner if needed.

Brian Flores loves versatility and players that can fill different roles.

If the Dolphins forgo a running back near the top of the draft, Dallas could be a steal on Day 3.

Brian Flores indicated this week that Josh Rosen isn't ready to be the Dolphins' quarterback. (Photo/Tony Capobianco)

Fresh Perspective: Dolphins should thank Brian Flores for not tanking 2019

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It wasn’t that long ago that the Dolphins world seemed to revolve around losing every game possible in 2019. Nothing mattered except getting the first overall pick so Miami could draft their franchise quarterback. Never mind the consequences of such a strategy. Did it matter that the NFL frowned upon that strategy? No. All that mattered was throwing 2019 in the trash. Pride didn’t matter, most of the roster wouldn’t be back anyway. Some even said Brian Flores is a sacrificial lamb for the future head coach.

Except there was one problem. Pride does matter, and the Dolphins proved it last season, taking a roster of street players and undrafted free agents to a five win season when most experts projected them to win one game at most. Instead they won five, including a massive upset in Foxborough which ultimately knocked the New England Patriots out of the top seed in the playoffs. That game now will be Tom Brady’s final game against Miami in a Patriots uniform. He went out with a whimper, instead of a roar.

The purpose of pointing this out is directly related to Miami’s recent spending spree. All throughout the 2019 season, the Dolphins were judged for draining the roster of big name talent. They traded Ryan Tannehill and Cameron Wake, they traded Robert Quinn, they traded Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, and then they traded Minkah Fitzpatrick when he threw a temper tantrum over how he was being used on the field as well as – presumably – Miami’s intention to tank 2019.

Fitzpatrick’s reaction is the most telling of all. Some will say Fitzpatrick was immature in forcing his way off the Dolphins to go join the Pittsburgh Steelers. To be fair, they aren’t wrong. But there’s another factor to this. Fitzpatrick wanted to be on a winning franchise. He’s used to success from his college days at Alabama. Regardless of the team’s true intentions, the image they were portraying was of a team doing everything they could to secure the first overall pick in next year’s draft, not win games. Action speaks louder than words.

Pundits went on a rampage, tearing into the franchise for seemingly trying to lose games. Mike Greenberg, Steve Young, Domonique Foxworth, Mike Golic, the list goes on. They all went out of their way to explain why Miami’s tanking efforts were not just bad for the team, it was bad for the NFL. Players don’t like the idea of throwing their careers away on a team that doesn’t want to win. There were even reports that – after a 59-10 loss to the Ravens – players were coordinating with their agents to manufacture trades out of Miami. 

Whether there’s any truth to those reports or not is irrelevant now. One thing remains correct through all this. No player wants to play for a team that doesn’t want to win. Fans didn’t really care though, they just wanted the first overall pick regardless of the consequences. When the Dolphins started winning games, fans began getting worried. Could it really be that Miami couldn’t even lose properly? How could Brian Flores do such a thing? He was jeopardizing everything the team was striving for with his irrational pride and refusal to give up in spite of the front office’s talent-draining efforts.

Thank you, Brian Flores, for not giving up and knocking the Dolphins all the way down to fifth overall.

Obviously, it’s easier for teams to get the player they want when no one is in their way to stop them. Now, Miami has the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers to worry about if they want their quarterback of choice. But there’s something bigger to consider, and it has everything to do with the Dolphins and their recent free agent frenzy.

Players want to come to Miami.

Generally, money is the deciding factor for most new contracts. Additionally, the Dolphins aren’t being shy about spending it either. The free agents they’ve signed so far are cashing in with Miami. That’s not the reason they’re coming though.

Ted Karras, one of the Dolphins’ most recent signings, reportedly took less money to come to Miami instead of staying in New England. The reasoning is that with the Dolphins he’ll be a starter, while in New England that’s not guaranteed. Fair enough. But if the Dolphins tanked the season, do you think Karras would be willing to give up money to go a team that one year prior didn’t care about the outcome?

No.

Byron Jones, the biggest free agent signing thus far for the Dolphins, had multiple teams bidding for him. In the end, Miami was willing to pay the most. But no player worth having wants to play for the money alone. They want notoriety, they want success, and Brian Flores showed that a team can have success without household names leading the charge. Five wins with the roster he had last season? Players believe in the vision that Brian Flores is selling, and they want in on that vision.

I won’t sit here and pretend more money isn’t a major deciding factor for free agents, especially with no state income tax in Florida. But anyone who believes that money is the only reason players like Jones, Ereck Flowers, Kyle Van Noy, Shaq Lawson and Jordan Howard are joining up with the Dolphins is fooling themselves.

The players who already know Brian Flores from their New England days (Van Noy, Karras) have nothing but great things to say about him. The players who don’t know Flores, saw what he and the staff was able to do with the likes of Nik Needham, Mike Gesicki and DeVante Parker, disappointing players who miraculously turned their careers around in a season assumed to be wasted. They want to be put in the best possible position to win while still getting paid. Think of Emmanuel Ogbah for this.

Need more proof? Look how averse players seem to be to go to the Cincinnati Bengals. Rumors were abound that LSU QB Joe Burrow didn’t want to be drafted by the Bengals. He later refuted that report, but nonetheless it did start for a reason. Tua Tagovailoa’s agent literally went on-air and said that he hopes that the Bengals draft Burrow because he wants Tagovailoa to be in a good position to find success. Clearly, he believes that’s the Dolphins, not the Bengals.

It isn’t just about the money, folks. Brian Flores is creating a culture of accountability and success. Players who don’t want to be a part of the vision, they can leave. Minkah Fitzpatrick is the perfect example. But these players coming in want to be part of the vision. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and want to stand in it when the Dolphins get there. So thank Brian Flores for killing the tank narrative in 2019.

They’re reaping the benefits of his efforts right now, and perhaps for many years to come.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

The Dolphins' free agent signings fit into coach Brian Flores' scheme. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

Pressure Point: Dolphins’ signing spree fills needs, fits Flores’ scheme

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The most encouraging aspect of the Miami Dolphins’ startling flurry of acquisitions at the onset of free agency is that it revealed the method to the madness of last season.

GM Chris Grier and Co. accumulated a huge stockpile of assets — beaucoup draft picks and money under the salary cap — and Monday quickly showed they are going to be aggressive about utilizing them.

The initial signing of five players revealed a cogent plan that addressed vital areas of concern throughout the roster, particularly on defense.

Investing $17 million a year in Byron Jones, the best cornerback available, was the signal the Dolphins are making a big move to win as soon as possible.

That continued Tuesday with a reported agreement with defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, who was the sack leader for the Kansas City Chiefs before a season-ending injury (pectoral tear).

Miami had already bolstered the pass rush via Kyle Van Noy (Patriots) and Shaq Lawson (Bills) on Monday.

Later Tuesday, Miami reached a deal with former Eagles running back Jordan Howard, who has 3,895 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns since 2016.

Can afford to trade up for QB

Adding established players in their prime increases the likelihood the Dolphins will use some of their league-high 14 picks in the upcoming draft (they also have four in the first two rounds of 2021) to trade up for whichever quarterback they have targeted.

Yes, they need to get maximum value out of their draft capital. But they don’t have to rely on turning around their fortunes with this year’s Senior Bowl roster.

This Dolphins free agency extravaganza in the making is more than a welcome distraction at a time the sports world is at a standstill amid a global health crisis. Dolfans haven’t had much hope to cling to in years, and something extraordinary appears to be unfolding.

They aren’t just pushing chips to the center of the table and rolling the dice. Jones will become a vital cog in coach Brian Flores’ secondary scheme emphasizing man-to-man coverage.

The Dolphins now have premier bookend corners, provided Xavien Howard emerges healthy from an injury-curtailed season. Returning safeties Bobby McCain and Eric Rowe are also former cornerbacks who can cover.

These newcomers aren’t perfect players. They have their flaws.

Jones, for instance, has only two interceptions in 79 games. But the metrics show he can cover.

The Extra Yard: Big day for Dolphins

Not all are stars, but all useful pieces

All of them fit as useful pieces for a coaching staff that got surprising production out of a threadbare roster over the final nine games of 2019.

The worst pass rush in the league has been altered dramatically already, as indicated above.

Van Noy was a key component in the Super Bowl defense Flores oversaw in New England.

The first step in addressing the offensive line was taken by adding Ereck Flowers. The former Miami Hurricane has a spotty NFL record, but he showed more promise after transitioning from tackle to guard.

It is just a beginning of a needed overhaul of the line.

But here’s the thing: All of the new acquisitions are upgrades, not only at the top of the depth chart but in broadening the depth.

And a purpose is evident in each one.

Former Bengals safety Clayton Fejedelem projects as a backup in the secondary, but he will play a leading role on special teams.

Dolphins’ work just beginning

So, has a flurry of free-agent acquisitions transformed the Dolphins from one of the least talented teams to playoff contender? Whoa, there.

The only conclusion that can be drawn at this early stage is that the so-called tankathon of 2019 was the foundation for how Grier and Flores conceive of assembling a championship team.

Will it work? It’s way too soon to say for sure.

But for months Dolphins fans and media have been wondering about and debating the team’s plans.

The early moves are intriguing and encouraging.

Tom Brady rumors afloat — kooky or not?

At a time when there are no games to watch, the Dolphins offer the best sports story to follow over the upcoming weeks and through the draft (April 23-25).

What will they do about a quarterback?

Crazy rumors are even percolating about Tom Brady. But that seems like an unlikely marriage that doesn’t fit what what the Dolphins are trying to achieve.

It makes more sense to stick with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the bridge to the future. He’s an established presence on this team who inspires without being the central figure in a soap opera.

But it’s tough to rule anything out right now.

I am convinced the Dolphins will trade up and make sure they get one of the top QBs in the draft — and I’m OK with it. This week’s action makes it clear this Dolphins regime isn’t leaving anything to chance.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns

 

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THE EXTRA YARD: Big Day for the Dolphins

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What a day!

Well, to be completely honest, the day got off to a most underwhelming start, as big name after big name came off the board, and the Dolphins were just sitting there with two uninspiring signings. Things changed in a hurry, as your Miami Dolphins made the biggest of splashes.

So how did they do?

ERECK FLOWERS LG, $30 Million for 3 years, $19.95mil Guaranteed.

 

Oof. Where was Andrus Peat? Graham Glasgow? Joe Thuney? Anybody? Ereck Flowers has been, for the better part of his career, a bad NFL player. What is the “better part” of that career? How bout the first five years of it, till this past year in Washington. In 2019, he was moved to Left Guard and excelled. He had six penalties and allowed 2.5 sacks in 16 games. A further examination of Flowers suggests that he turned the tide in the final 8 games of the year, as he was for the most part, very good. He is young, trending up, but this signing is more about faith than conviction.

 

SHAQ LAWSON DE, $30 Million (could be worth $36) for 3 years, $21mil Guaranteed.

Starting to sense a trend. Young players to “scale” deals, that are trending up? It’s a plan. Gotta give them that. Shaq Lawson gives them versatility on the defensive line and can play anywhere from 3 Tech to 9. Highly touted coming out of Clemson, he rejoins his old defensive line coach Marion Hobby in Miami. Lawson will play many snaps, and this signing looks to pay dividends if he continues on his current trajectory.

 

CLAYTON FEJEDELUM S, $8.85 Million for 3 years, $3mil Guaranteed.

Good bye Walt Aikens. Gonna miss him. Was always courteous to us in the media, and was a helluva special teams player. This is who Clayton is. Although further inspection finds that he ran a 4.54 40 yard dash with a 40 1/2 inch vertical, to go with 20 reps of 225 at the combine in 2016, as he was drafted in the 7th round.

Our own Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) had other ideas:

 

BYRON JONES CB, $82.5 Million for 5 years, $57mil Guaranteed.

What else can be said for Byron Jones. He was the consensus #1 target amongst us on the Three Yards per Carry Podcast. I always say that the quickest way to relevancy is to be “elite” at something. We now get to test that theory, as the Miami Dolphins now have a stacked secondary. Jones is a freakish athlete, sticky in bump man to man, with the versatility to play boundary corner, and safety. A home run signing. Although, does this mean that Xavien Howard could be on the move? I hope not. These two healthy, remind you of the days of Madison and Surtain. The Dolphins now have 2 of the 3 All Pros from 2018 at one position.

 

KYLE VAN NOY OLB, $51 Million for 4 years, $30mil Guaranteed.

The 16th ranked EDGE player on Pro Football Focus, Kyle Van Noy was used much more as a pass rusher in 2019. Good coming off the edge, Van Noy is even better against the run. The Dolphins now have a couple of guys renowned for setting the edge, and in Kyle Van Noy, they just signed the new Captain of the defense. Highly intelligent, and an interesting character, he is also close with Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores, and this signing falling in the “friends and family” plan as my podcast partner Chris Kouffman likes to put it, is just fine with me. This was a near perfect Day 1 of Free Agency.

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

New Dolphins CB Byron Jones: View from a Cowboys Fan

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While I usually cover the Miami Hurricanes for Five Reasons Sports, I do have a professional rooting interest in the Dallas Cowboys. Sometimes, worlds collide and with the Dolphins signing Byron Jones to a 5-year, $82.5 million deal, with $57 million guaranteed, I found myself in a unique position among my Five Reasons brethren given that I’ve watched all of Jones’ career and have some thoughts on him.

Jones’ career has been interesting. When he was drafted, he was more of a tweener, with the ability to play corner and safety. And sure enough, that’s what he did. He started at corner for one year, then spent 2 years at safety, before moving back to corner for the last 2 years, where he became a Pro Bowler.

So what attributes allowed Jones to excel at both corner and safety? Physicality. Probably the one consistent thing throughout his career is he loves to tackle. The 2019 season featured Jones’ lowest tackle output, and he still had 49 tackles. In 2016, where he started at safety for a team that went 13-3, Jones had 81 tackles. He’s also very durable, having only missed one game in 5 seasons.

Basically, for a Cowboys fans, Jones represented a safety blanket. You could put him at any position in the secondary, and he would perform well. And the prospect of losing that safety blanket does make me uneasy.

But the Dolphins didn’t make Jones the highest paid CB in the NFL because he is a Swiss Army Knife. Can Jones be the best CB in the NFL?

I’d say no, but I also think it doesn’t matter. By my definition, the best CB in the NFL needs to be more than solid and more than an all-round player. He needs to change games. And for all of Jones’ positive attributes, the glaring miss in terms in his portfolio is the INTs. Byron Jones has 2 INTs in his entire career, both while playing safety. He’s never intercepted a pass while playing CB. That play making, game changing element is missing, and if the Dolphins expect him to be the style of player Xavien Howard was in 2018 (as an example), they’ll be very disappointed.

There’s a reason, however, I said it doesn’t matter. First, the market always dictates price, to a certain extent. There were other suitors for Jones and comparing across years is difficult. You can always argue someone is overpaid relative to their peers after they sign a new deal, because salaries generally rise. Second, the Dolphins know exactly who they’re getting with Jones. In fact, the Dolphins executed a well thought out offseason plan.

They landed Jones in addition to Shaq Lawson and Kyle Van Noy. They are building the 3 levels to their defense and with an improved pass rush, they are looking for Jones to be steady and physical on the outside, something he excels at. Jones represents the answer to a problem, a piece of the larger puzzle, and plugging that gap without someone that is steady and reliable was worth it to the Dolphins in the context of the larger rebuild. That is why I don’t agree that Byron Jones is the best CB in football, but I do agree with the Dolphins paying him as such. 

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THE EXTRA YARD: Takes on reported Dolphin targets

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In what has already become a pretty eventful sports weekend, without the actual, well..you know, sports? We were met with a report from ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) loaded with nuggets that includes possible early free agent targets for the Miami Dolphins:

I have since been able to confirm interest in many of the names reported above.

To summarize, the names are:

Logan Ryan (CB), Kamalei Correa (OLB), Kyle Van Noy (OLB), Shaq Lawson (DE), Markus Golden (EDGE), Danny Shelton (NT), Andrew Billings (DT), and A’Shawn Robinson (DT), on Defense. Graham Glasgow (OG), Ted Karras (C), Connor McGovern (C), and Melvin Gordon (RB), on Offense.

Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe), goes on to offer alternatives to some of these players. Now, here is the view of the Three Yards Per Carry crew on the Five Reasons Sports Network:

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga)
First of all, what an underwhelming list. For a team with near $100 million in cap space, they are sure being thrifty and measured with this initial list. Logan Ryan headlines this list, and is a versatile boundary corner that can/has moved inside as a slot corner.

Many in the NFL consider Ryan a top 5 slot corner, and he is a very good fit. Now, here is the issue. He will cost $11 million per year, and would be a good signing, but at that point, spend the $16mil per year and get a MUCH better corner in Byron Jones. He is also 29 years old and did not have a very good 2019. Buyer beware.

Kyle Van Noy is predictable. Another perfect scheme fit, captain, leader type. He is also very close to Head Coach Brian Flores,so we could have seen coming a mile away. Correa is interesting in that he is a heat seeking missle as a sub package linebacker capable of doing a lot in nickel, and even dime. He would be an instant fan favorite because his effort is evident right away. The rest of the defensive group, is about a lot of wishing and hoping, with some projection sprinkled in. I like Shelton and Golden a whole lot. The rest, are a 50/50 group in my opinion.

On offense, Glasgow, would be a home run signing. Capable of playing all along the interior, he offers the versatility they need, and desire on the offensive line. Karras and McGovern, would be slight upgrades over the departed Daniel Kilgore. I really don’t see the benefit of gradual improvement at the center position when the resources are there for a pretty big jump in talent level. Its a waste of time in my opinion. Then we have Melvin Gordon. I have written extensively about him on this site and on twitter, so you know how I feel. Gordon is the perfect one cut back for Chan Gailey’s lead Iso heavy run game. Averaging 91 scrimmage yards per game for his career to go with 47 TD’s in 67 games, makes him underrated as far as productivity is concerned. He is also a complete back, and you can do a helluva lot worse than Melvin Gordon in leading your running back room.

Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) (Simon offers these bullet points on the entire Cameron Wolfe piece)
-Van Noy is a perfect scheme fit, although I wonder how effective he’ll be surrounded by lesser players. Used more as a pure pass rusher last season, will be interesting to see if he heads back to a more versatile role.

-Correa is probably a sub package pass rusher who can drop off in coverage. To his credit he was strong down the stretch for the Titans.

-Ryan is consistently solid. Nothing spectacular. I think he’s best suited as a slot. Missed a lot of tackles last season.

-Lawson really didn’t do much until his last season in Buffalo so immediate buyer beware. Only played 47% of snaps last season. But Marion Hobby will know him well. He’s also said he prefers playing 43 end.

-Golden is a decent pass rusher who can set the edge. Pretty heavy handed. I don’t think he’s best suited as a number one edge but a valuable piece. Had better numbers across the board than Ngakouye last season. He’s 29 tho.

-Danny Shelton played really well last season. He and Lawrence Guy had a great thing going. Good free agent target in my opinion.

-Billings is a two down 1T run stuffer.

-Robinson was really good in 2018 and really bad in 2019.

-Graham Glasgow is one of the most underrated players in football. Solid at all three interior spots, was a good starting OC till they kicked him to RG for Ragnow who’s one of the league’s best. Never missed a game.

-Karras is OK and could play G. Pats know they have David Andrews coming back.

-McGovern similarity OK and didn’t embarrass himself like the rest of the Denver OL.

-Beachum actually played pretty well last year. He was solid in pass protection. Team captain. He’s 30 tho.

-Gordon you know how I feel: only one season of more than 4ypc, an anomalous 5.1 in among the mire of 3.7’s. Only had one 1,000 yard season, only completed one full season in five. Finding holes hasn’t hurt Austin Ekeler, the guy they decided to keep.

-Hyde has played for four teams already. Looked good in Houston last season at times but a guy heading to his 5th team?

-Miller we know. Slowing down and injury prone.

-I like Jordan Howard. I thought he was one of the best inside/outside zone runners in football in Chicago. Played well in Philly till he got hurt.

-Gore is Gore.

Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) (Chris offers some bullet points of his own)

-With A’Shawn Robinson, I guess you’d just have to have a pretty good running thesis on why he was so much better in 2018 than 2019. But just having a bad year doesn’t mean you’re a bad signing. More often you get hurt for grabbing a guy super expensive off a great year.

-I don’t know what to make of this new found interest in A’Shawn popping up. I don’t really like the idea of Andrew Billings.

-The parts where Cameron Wolfe denotes expectation are interesting. I forgot about Kamelei Correa. He’s alright. I’ve looked at him. Didn’t really strike me as anything to write home about.

-I think Melvin Gordon is a fine player. You can’t always judge a RB by his YPC. He makes people miss and he gets yards after contact. He catches the ball and he produces touchdowns.

-It’s worth noting that there’s gonna be a rash of cuts in short order as teams have to get their cap space relative to the $198 million cap in order by Wednesday.

 

You can follow Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) on twitter, and listen to their episodes on your favorite podcast provider.

THE EXTRA YARD: First Wave of Dolphins Free Agency Wish List

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On the face of it, this initial Miami Dolphins free agency”wish list” will seem a bit unrealistic.

It is not.

This team has near $90 million dollars to spend in 1st year salaries for free agents, so this ambitious wish list for the first wave of free agency is well within their capabilities. Three free agents at three key positions of need should be the focus for the start of NFL Free Agency on Monday, March 16th (legal tampering period), and then kicks off in earnest on Wednesday the 18th. Coronavirus allowing.

So, here is my wish list for the first wave of Free Agency:

BYRON JONES, CB, 6′-0″ 205 LBS., 27 Years Old
AVERAGE OF $14-$17 Million per year.

Byron Jones and Xavien Howard would make up the best cornerback tandem in the league. The quickest way to becoming relevant in the NFL is to be elite at something. Passing the ball and preventing the pass happen to be the two most important aspects of the NFL today, so why not concentrate on a unit where Coach Brian Flores has traditionally excelled at teaching, developing players. Jones would be a strong injection of talent for a unit that came around a bit toward the end of the year. Jones is not only good in man to man coverage (what Flores defense requires) but he is a highly intelligent, and vocal leader. Byron Jones is not some guy that gets by on tricks and veteran savvy either. He is a remarkable athlete that set the long jump record at the combine. The WORLD record that is (12′-3″). Jones will also give you options going forward if standout Xavien Howard’s injury issues resurface. After having an elite season in 2018, Jones came back to earth a bit in 2019, so the thinking is that he could come a bit cheaper. Not so. He is very likely to become the highest paid Corner back in football. The Dolphins are in a position to do just that, while staggering “the pain” to co-exist with already expensive Xavien Howard. Byron Jones gets my first free agency call.

ANDRUS PEAT, OG/OT, 6′-7″ 316 LBS., 26 Years Old
AVERAGE $11-$13 Million per year.

Andrus Peat has some detractors in the analyst world, as they feel that Peat has not lived up to his promise from being drafted 13th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Stanford. I see something a bit a different. I see a highly mobile, versatile lineman that is a deserved 2x pro bowler capable of being slotted in at Left Guard or even Left Tackle on day 1. For an offensive line that needs everything, the versatile Andrus Peat is a good start. His position flexibility also allows for a bit of browsing in the draft to mix and match the line to fit what they want to do. So how is he as a fit? Perfect. Chan Gailey’s running game is built on Lead Iso plays, and needs guards that can combo block/ reach the second level. Peat does both very well. Quick feet and good technique as a pass blocker, make him a candidate to permanently move to LT. His only flaw is his hands. He can be a bit wild with placement, but it hasn’t hurt him with flags as he averages a little over 2 holding penalties a year for his career.


MELVIN GORDON, RB, 6′-1″ 215 LBS., 26 Years Old
AVERAGE $8.5-$10 Million per year.

Oh boy. I can already hear it. The Dolphins have cap space, and have a barren running back room. They gotta start somewhere. Get over it. I have heard the complaints of his lone thousand yard season, and his sub 4 yard per carry seasons. I would counter with his career 91 yards from scrimmage per game to go with his 47 Touchdowns in 67 games and his 2 pro bowls. Melvin Gordon is not only a good pass receiver, and pass blocker, he is also one of the most remarkable one cut backs I had ever seen come out of college. His work in that regard, in the NFL, also checks out. Guess what a Chan Gailey run offense requires? Yep. A good one cut back. Gordon can be the lead back and a good start in rebuilding the Running back room that in my estimation is only populated with Patrick Laird as a possible keeper. To nitpick Gordon is to not realize there is a reason this player is available at his age, productivity and at what could be a discounted price. Good value at a desperate position of need.

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

2020 Miami Hurricanes Position Preview: Wide Receiver

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New Faces: Michael Redding (Fr.), Keyshawn Smith (Fr.), Daz Worsham (Fr.), Xavier Restrepo (Fr.), Rob Likens (coach)

 

Going Places: Jeff Thomas (forgone senior season for NFL Draft), KJ Osborn (graduation), Brian Hightower (transfer), Coach Taylor Stubblefield (previous WRs coach left to Penn State)

 

Projected Starters: Dee Wiggins, Mike Harley, Mark Pope

 

Sleepers: Mark Pope (JR) and Jeremiah Payton (RFr)

 

What was once thought of as the deepest position on the roster one year ago is now undergoing a complete makeover heading into spring practice. Lots of new faces, including the head of the unit are what comprise this relatively young but talented group.

 

Head coach Manny Diaz most recently made the decision to hire Rob Likens as the new WR coach to replace Taylor Stubblefield, who left to take the same position at Penn State. Likens most recently served as the offensive coordinator and QBs coach at Arizona State, before being relieved of his duties.

 

To compensate, Stubblefield brought in four very talented freshmen not only for next season but this spring in Michael Redding (IMG Academy), Daz Worsham (Hewitt-Trussville High, AL), Keyshawn Smith (San Diego Lincoln High, CA) and local kid Xavier Restrepo (Deerfield Beach High). 

 

Michael Redding is probably the most talented newcomer of the group. Redding was ranked as the 31st-best receiver in the nation in the Class of 2020. A big reason why Stubblefield recruited him was his combination of great size (6’3”, 192 lbs.) to go along with great speed (4.4-4.5 range). 

 

In addition, Worsham was a three-star prospect whom Stubblefield was able to pry away from the likes of Alabama. He finished with over 2300 yards and 28 touchdowns in his high school career. 

 

The discovery and recruitment of Keyshawn Smith was a very quick but interesting one, as he initially committed and signed to play for Washington State before coach Mike Leach left for Mississippi State. He was released from his letter-of-intent and it took one in-home meeting with Coach Manny Diaz to convince him that Coral Gables was the place for him, so Smith committed and with a little bit of magic, Smith was also able to enroll for the spring semester. Smith is a very fluid route runner with great speed and good size and even though he was technically the last of the four freshman receivers to sign, many analysts consider him a steal that late in the process.

Restrepo was all-Miami even before he received his official scholarship offer and despite his smaller stature at 5’10”, he’s got a lot of dog in him and will most likely make a huge impact as a slot receiver. 

 

These freshmen are only four of the options Miami has to try and overcome the loss of former graduate transfer KJ Osborn and Jeff Thomas, who opted to forego his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. Osborn set the tone in the locker room from the minute he stepped into the weight room and provided a big veteran presence for the team. He also led all of Miami’s receivers with 547 yards and five touchdowns. 

 

Thomas flashed his speed and game-changing ability from time to time, but at least according to Pro Football Focus, last season was his most yet as he did drop a single pass. His best season came in 2018, when he finished with 563 receiving yards, including a memorable 132-yard game against an LSU defense filled with future first-round picks.

 

Who’s Returning?

 

2019 saw the growth of many of the younger receivers on the team. One is junior Dee Wiggins, who seemed to be the best deep threat will his long, wiry frame. Wiggins caught 20 passes for 335 yards last season to go along with four touchdowns. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOJM-zgce-o

 

Two of those touchdowns were of 50+ yards against Louisville and Florida State, so it should be interesting to see how much Wiggins grows this season, as he is probably the most talented receiver team right now and like all of Miami’s speedy receivers, he should thrive in OC Rhett Lashlee’s spread offense.

 

Mike Harley is entering his senior season and has been steadily improving each year. He finished third on the team with 485 yards on 38 catches in 2019 and he slowly grew into a very reliable option in the slot with his excellent speed.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPiPb7VLo6Y

 

Who are some possible breakout stars in 2020?

 

A couple of names Canes fans should keep an eye on are Mark Pope and Jeremiah Payton. Pope was a five-star prospect out of Miami Southridge High in 2018 and expectations were sky high when he joined the team. He only caught one pass during his freshman campaign, but last year, he started to show glimpses of his ability as he saw increased targets and production: 18 catches for 266 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Coach Lashlee’s offense should bode well for Pope’s development, as it will give him a chance to show his quick feet and dynamic speed to make big plays.

 

Payton on the other hand took the redshirt this past season and is now officially entering his freshman year with the Canes. There were reports that Payton was a problem (albeit a good one) while serving as a member of the scout team and coaches are very excited about him. Fans should expect to see him get plenty of run this season.

 

Be sure to stay tuned to Five Reasons Sports for the latest news and updates on the Miami Hurricanes and subscribe to the Five Rings Podcast as we will continue to cover the beginning of spring practice.

 

Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes: Breaking down the quarterback room

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When you take a look at the quarterback position for the Miami Hurricanes, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Ever since D’Eriq King transferred from Houston, there has been no question as to who will be the number one quarterback heading into the 2020 season. Of course, King is just one of the quarterbacks on the roster . Although he may seem like the clear-cut starter, there are other options available below him.

As far as King goes, he comes to Coral Gables with a tremendous amount of pedigree. This is a player that absolutely lit up the football field while he was at Houston. He threw for 683 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions last year. Those numbers are a little bit lessened due to the fact he decided to redshirt.

In what was a full season for him in the 2018 campaign King threw for 2,982 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. There is no denying that he can be a game-changer for a quarterback position that has desperately needed a spark.

With all this talk about King, it may be easy to forget N’Kosi Perry. In what was a revolving door of starting quarterbacks last season for Perry, he performed well. He threw for 1,045 yards, 8 touchdowns, and three interceptions. His best game last season came against Virginia Tech. In what was a 42-35 loss, he went 28-of-47 on the day, throwing for 422 yards. Tossing four touchdowns and an interception, a 51-yard pass was his longest of the day.

Had King not transferred to the program, Perry would probably be the outright starter. Perry will enter the spring looking to challenge King for the starting role. A healthy quarterback competition would certainly be good for the program.

For this spring in particular, Perry has to come in and prove that he is not just going to roll over and accept the backup role. I will be excited to see him challenge King. My bet is that he will come into the spring focused and ready to work.

Martell intriguing for Miami Hurricanes

Tate Martell is certainly an interesting player. As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, he saw some action in the season opener against Florida on August 24. He would play sparingly, finishing the year in the Independence Bowl. It was there that he perhaps made his biggest impact of the season. He completed a pass for seven  yards and rushed for another five.

As a junior next year, he will certainly have the odds stacked against him. He showed that he could play when called upon last season, so that will certainly work in his favor. However I would predict him at the third spot on the depth chart. His experience is certainly a bonus, especially when you consider that Miami has a young quarterback coming in. However, I wouldn’t expect him to make waves in the quarterback competition. Right now, he has a long road ahead of him. Nevertheless, he will certainly be an interesting player to watch in the quarterback competition.

Van Dyke a promising freshman

Last but certainly not least is Tyler Van Dyke. As a recruit, the pro-style quarterback was the seventh overall quarterback in the 2020 class, and the top player in the state of Connecticut per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

He will probably start at the bottom of the depth chart. That’s not because of lack of skill, but lack of experience. Right now, he needs to get as much experience as possible. In watching some of his highlights, it’s evident that he has a strong arm and good accuracy. That certainly bodes well for the future of the position and the Miami Hurricanes program. He is very polished for a freshman. Now, it’s all about learning the system.

Miami Dolphins should draft BYU safety Austin Lee

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This column was written by Marcos Chisholm. Follow him on Twitter @marcosgchisholm.

In possession of the 18th and 26th picks in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins are expected to pursue an offensive lineman and a safety. But if they instead opt to target secondary talent after day one of the draft, BYU safety Austin Lee can emerge as a highly effective, under-the-radar pickup.

“I always dreamed and felt that I could play in the NFL,” Lee said. “It felt more a reality as I got to my senior year and my second game in versus Tennessee was a big-time game which I played well in. It was then I realized I’m getting closer to my dreams.”

Even in a talented draft class where Alabama’s Xavier McKinney and LSU’s Grant Delpit rank among the best safeties, Lee’s resume and skill set afford him credibility and indicate he could very well add to the chemistry in Miami’s hybrid defense.

The defensive standout’s clutch performance in an overtime victory against the Volunteers last September served as a turning point in his collegiate career. Lee was recently ranked 86th on PFF’s 101 Best College Football Players of 2019 list after finishing among the top twenty FBS safeties in categories such as overall grade (15th), coverage grade (16th), and yards allowed (7th). Most notably, Lee allowed zero touchdowns throughout last year, a rare feat for players on the field for more than 300 snaps in a single season. The Cougars only allowed 46 plays of 20 yards or more with Lee’s help last season.

While BYU’s system can potentially limit the duties of defensive backs by dropping eight players into coverage, Lee’s self-awareness and efficient movements help him make up for a lack of explosiveness that higher-ranked draft prospects tout. He becomes unpredictable on the field because his high football IQ does not require him to solely commit to either playing the run or deep passes.

“I feel like I have my own game. But I model a lot of what I do through seeing Eric Weddle and Jamal Adams. I love the instincts, toughness, IQ, and physicality that those guys play with,” Lee said. “They both are just competitors and play with such tenacity.”

Lee’s modern-day football role models play with strikingly different styles at the safety position. However, he takes the best from both worlds in a way that suits Miami’s positionless defensive scheme. Hybrid systems demand dynamic players, and his ability to teeter between the traditional roles of free and strong safeties as the game evolves can make him an invaluable asset.

Yet there’s no certainty of what changes to the Dolphins’ defensive scheme will come next season. Patrick Graham, Miami’s defensive coordinator in 2019, officially joined the New York Giants as an assistant coach last month. Former Dolphins cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer was internally promoted to Graham’s previous role, and safeties coach Tony Oden was fired from Brian Flores’ staff in January before being replaced by Curt Kuntz.

And Lee — who has never adhered to the traditional roles of a two-man safety dynamic — has strategically modeled his game for the 2020s and beyond. In spite of his mediocre athleticism, his focus on fluidity and adaptability have allowed him to fit into every scheme he has played for. But considering Dolphins safeties Rashad Jones and Bobby McCain already have uncertain futures in Miami, scouts and draft analysts may question what Lee would bring different to the table.

Ultimately, it’s his life off-the-field that encapsulates why he can bring value to many NFL teams. After initially signing to play for BYU rival Utah in 2012, Lee went on a multimonth LDS mission to Oklahoma that forced him to miss an entire season. He then fell in love with his wife, Kortnie, and married her in 2015. And in between transferring schools and playing Division I football, the couple parent their two kids, Ledger and Romee.

The selfless approach that comes from starting a family is the same one that fuels his ability to be a leader for his teammates. “I feel like my leadership capability can be high,” Lee said. “I lead through example and when something needs to be said I say something. The best teams are player-led and leadership is huge.”

Above all else, Miami has lacked leadership on defense that can help build a new culture under Brian Flores. When considering Miami’s off-the-field issues in the last decade, it will be imperative that the Dolphins draft talent for reasons beyond a prospect’s athleticism and playmaking abilities. Not only can Lee’s proven habits foster the growth of a locker room that lacks a dependable player voice — but they have an opportunity to provide him the chance to last longer than the average NFL player.