Kelly: A path for Dolphins Rookies to Succeed in 2023
One of my favorite moments to look for in training camp is the week the light bulb turns on for the rookies who bite.
It’s usually after the second week of camp, the session that follows the first scrimmage. That's when the rookies finally know the routine, have a solid footing in the playbook and are getting comfortable.
That’s usually when youngsters like Nik Needham get tested out with the starting unit, which is what happened early in the 2019 training camp for Needham, an undrafted gem.
Or it happens after the first exhibition game, where all of a sudden an unknown tight end by the name of Tanner Conner starts carving up the defense daily.
And Conner, a converted receiver, did that for an entire week of training camp last year, dominating practice, which encouraged the Dolphins to invest in him by keeping him on the 53-man roster for the entire season.
Those are the moments I look for because they make us start to ask whether the Dolphins have found someone worth investing in for reasons other than the draft pick used.
Those moments reinforce one of Bill Parcells’ famous football edicts, "If they don’t bite when they’re puppies, they usually don’t bite.”
The Dolphins host rookie minicamp this weekend, which is their “welcome to the team” session to get the nearly two dozen newcomers adjusted to the city, the NFL, and most importantly the franchise.
Here’s a realistic vision for Miami’s 2023 rookie class, which focuses on the four draftees and a couple of the higher-profile rookie free agents signed.
Round 2: No. 51 – CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
The Dolphins typically don’t like to cross-train the rookie cornerbacks unless they envision their ideal position as the nickel spot, which was the case with Kader Kohou last year. He spent most of his camp practices working inside, and subsequently inherited the starting nickel spot. Expect Smith, who has decent size and impressive speed, to begin his tenure with the Dolphins as a boundary cornerback, backing up Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, who likely both won’t see anything more than limited snaps during training camp because of their age and value to the team. So in an ideal world Smith would be a core special teams player immediately, and the third boundary cornerback who gets into the game for a series or two on defense each week. To earn that spot, he’ll need to beat out Noah Igbinoghene, Trill Williams and Keion Crossen.
Round 3: No. 84 – RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M
Head coach Mike McDaniel’s obsession with Achane’s 4.32 speed hints that he could have a special package of plays carved out for him each week, if he can pick up the playbook quickly. Maybe these are plays where McDaniel also would utilize Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert, considering those three are among the team’s fastest players. Maybe those plays are unique to Achane. Only time, the durability of all the backs, his intellect, and McDaniel’s creativity will determine that. My biggest concern about Achane is whether he can pass-protect adequately enough to be used as a third-down back. That, and whether he’s Miami’s kickoff returner, could be what determines if he’s game-day active or not.
Round 6: No. 197 – TE Elijah Higgins, Stanford
The Dolphins will give Higgins an opportunity to replace Mike Gesicki as the pass-catching specialist, flex weapon in the tight end room. To earn Gesicki's old role, the former Stanford receiver, who is being converted into a tight end, would need to beat out Eric Saubert, Tyler Kroft and Conner, another receiver convert, during training camp. But Higgins realistically is battling for the third or fourth tight end spot on the 53-man roster, and to secure it he’ll likely need to become a reliable special teams contributor.
Round 7: No. 238 – Offensive lineman Ryan Hayes, Michigan
Hayes, who has the size, athleticism and movement skills needed to play guard in the NFL, likely will get worked at all four offensive line spots as he pushes to make the 53-man roster. And the cross training should benefit the two-year starter for the Wolverines. Because Hayes plays with a nice competitive drive and has some nastiness to his game, the Dolphins might experiment with him at guard early to determine the upside. It would benefit Hayes to learn how to play both positions on one side. But that could be something Miami works on after training camp. His main competition for one of the nine or 10 offensive line spots on the 53-man roster are Robert Jones, Kendall Lamm, Lester Cotton and Geron Christian, along with the other undrafted rookie linemen.
Undrafted rookie - LB Aubrey Miller, Jackson State
Miller, a Missouri transfer, shined in his two seasons at Jackson State, where he earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Year recognition by leading the Tigers with 117 tackles (11 for loss with 6.5 sacks) and five forced fumbles in 13 games last season. Miller plays with vision and anticipation, which is why this outside linebacker in college likely will be moved inside in the NFL. He needs to prove his instincts will allow him to overcome his limited size (6 feet, 230 pounds). At the moment Channing Tindall and Duke Riley are his only competition for the role as David Long Jr. and Jerome Baker’s primary backups.
Undrafted rookie - C Alama Uluave, San Diego State
Uluave, a two-year college starter who plays with a nasty temperament, likely didn’t get drafted because he’s a bit undersized at 6-2, 300. But if Uluave could show off his movement skills early and develop some chemistry with the backup quarterbacks he could push Dan Feeney for the backup center role, or possibly a practice squad spot. His biggest competition will be the field of other centers who will be released in late August.
Undrafted rookie - DT Brandon Pili, USC
Pili’s USC career was interrupted many times by injuries, which explains why he spent six seasons with the Trojans. The Dolphins are hopeful that the 6-4, 330-pounder, to whom the team guaranteed $100,000, will showcase the athleticism and power needed to be viewed as a developmental nose tackle. Miami needs someone to groom as the backup and potential replacement for Raekwon Davis, who is playing on the final year of his rookie deal. Pili will need to prove he’s worth that type of investment by suffocating the run when he’s on the field with the second- and third-team defense.
Undrafted rookie - P Michael Turk, Oklahoma
The Dolphins guaranteed all of Jake Bailey’s $1.1 million contract, which means Turk, who averaged 47.2 yards per punt during his college career, would have to drastically outperform Bailey, a former Pro Bowl selection, to unseat him. But the rule of thumb is that if the battle is close, go with the youngster because he potentially has more upside, and the Dolphins have him locked up contractually for at least the next three seasons. However, Miami could develop Turk on the practice squad if he’s deemed worthy.
Other rookies in units worth paying attention to….
Safeties Bennett Williams and Keidron Smith — These safeties likely are competing for a spot on the practice squad unless someone balls during camp, becoming the next Verone McKinley III, who made it to the 53-man roster after initially spending a few weeks on the practice squad.
Offensive linemen D.J. Scaife Jr., Jarrett Horst, James Tunstall and Alex Jensen — The Dolphins can’t, and shouldn’t be picky about which offensive lineman can help this unit become more consistent. The field is wide open, and may the best bodyguard for Tua Tagovailoa prevail.
Outside linebackers Garrett Nelson, Mitchell Agudo, Zeke Vandenburgh and Randy Charlton — An NFL team can never have enough pass rushers, so it will be interesting to monitor the transition all four of these rookies have to the NFL. More than likely, whoever excels on special teams will gain a leg up on the competition.
