Finsmob Unleashed

The roster is just about set, although as we know, there will be shuffling with the bottom of the roster throughout the season. Let me start with the RB’s, and I have to say, I’m thrilled with the RB as it stands. We kept the 4 RB’s I wanted to keep, Mostert, Achane, Ahmed and Brooks. I feel that’s a good mix of players, Mostert a good all around back with speed and good receiving skills. Achane also brings tons of speed in his own right, and Ahmed is a slippery back who I feel has never looked better. Very happy we kept the big back from BYU Chris Brooks. He’s the banger, the big body that can run between the tackles. Brooks runs hard, and although we didn’t get Jonathan Taylor from the Colts, Brooks is a hard runner that won’t be asking for $12M per year anytime soon. FB Alec Ingold also received a nice extension, 3YR/$17.2M. We need Ingold, along with the front 5 to give our speedy RB’s room to run.

The WR room also shaped up like I had hoped, although I am surprised that Robbie Chosen didn’t make the cut. I was hoping Erik Ezukanma would make the 53, and he did. Hill, Waddle, Berrios, Wilson Jr. , Ezukanma, and Cracraft round out the receiving corps. I believe Berrios is really going to thrive in this offense, while teams will be protecting against Hill and Waddle. Wilson Jr, will also have opportunities, but Berrios’ ability to create space quickly and run after the catch quicks will keep him busy this season. Berrios will also be handling kick returns and punt returns, so he will be a very valuable player for us this season.

We weren’t able to come to a contract extension with DE/DT Christian Wilkins, but it seems as if both sides are on the same page and willing to delay the process of negotiating that extension after the season. The dollar amount of course can be debated, but Wilkins is a core piece of this defense, and if Fangio can wring out a little more opportunity for Wilkins to get to the QB this season, the money he wants might actually be a fair asking price. Wilkins brings it every week, has been a leader on this team and belongs on this team for the long term. I’m quite pleased that we were however able to lock up our other DE/DT Zach Sieler on a 3YR/$38.65M deal. The lunchpail guy got paid! The Dolphins are a little thin on DL depth, with only rookie DT Brandon Pili and DE Emmanuel Ogbah.

At LB, no surprises, the proven guys stay, and only one real question mark will be 2nd year LB Channing Tindall. Big things are expected from 3rd year LB Jaelan Phillips. Everyone expects a breakout season, I only hope the prognosticators are right. Some players just too much hype, I hope Phillips isn’t one of them. David Long will be the physical guy in this group, and underrated Jerome Baker just keeps keeping on. Will Bradley Chubb find his comfort zone in this defense? Chubb had double digit sacks in his rookie season in 2018 with the Broncos but has yet to see more than 8 sacks in a season since. Chubb could end up being a huge factor for this defense. If he can be a pass rushing terror, Phillips will no doubt feast as well. The LB depth is rounded out by familiar guys Andrew Van Ginkel and Duke Reilly.

In the secondary, we’re definitely a little thin, and this is a spot I expect there to be a lot of turnover in. X (Xavien Howard), and Eli Apple will start as the corners. Brandon Jones and Jevon Holland are the starting safeties. Kader Kohou will be the primary nickel back until Nik Needham, who is on the PUP is healthy enough to take the field. Kohou was excellent last season, an excellent find. The Dolphins finally parted ways with former 2020 1st RD pick Noah Igbinoghene, trading him to the Dallas Cowboys for 2021 2nd RD pick Kelvin Joseph. Joseph did not fare too well with the Cowboys, much like Iggy didn’t get it done here. It will be a fresh start for both players. Joseph is a long, lean CB at 6’1 192. Hopefully he can turn it around here in MIA with Vic Fangio. Will rookie Cam Smith make enough of showing to see legit playing time? He missed some preseason action which puts him a little behind the curve. At safety, DeShon Elliot, Elijah Campbell and “centerfielder” Verone McKinley III fill out the depth. The Dolphins signed Justin Bethel for CB depth, he played pretty well last season in some spot duty, and is a very good special teams player.Parry Nickerson rounds out the CB depth, he has played for 4 different teams in 4 seasons, the Jets, Jaguars, Packers and Vikings. The Dolphins make his 5th team in as many years. Again, the secondary is where I expect a fair amount of turnover.

OK, let’s get to the dreaded O-line. I know no one is happy here, especially the big green guy. Terron Armstead will anchor the line at LT, next to veteran Isaiah Wynn. Connor Williams will be back at C, he had a great season last year playing every-single-snap. Williams did have some snapping issues, and hopefully he can clean those up. We don’t need Tua chasing footballs over his head and getting mangled trying to recover the bad snap. One of our best OL draft picks in recent history, Robert Hunt returns at RG and Austin Jackson will start at RT. Jackson came in lean and ready to go, so we can only hope this is his best season. T Kion Smith, OG Lester Cotton, T Kendall Lamm and potential backup C Liam Eichenberg fill out the O-line depth. Cotton looked very good in limited action and could step in at G if Isaiah Wynn doesn’t play well enough to keep that spot locked up.

I think we all deep down know that if our starting QB Tua Tagovailoa is going to miss a few games, we’re gonna be in trouble. I’ll admit initially I was pleased with the Mike White signing, but he looked just awful in the preseason, especially in the red zone where his decision making was horrendous. He almost turned the ball over with extremely questionable throws nearly every red zone trip. 2nd year Miami Dolphins QB Skylar Thompson, the star of of the 2022 preseason was a dud in 2023. If anyone was expecting him to take step forward, it doesn’t look like that’s happening. We need our boy Tua to stay healthy, so that Jiu Jitsu falling stuff better keep him safe!

Now on to the next underwhelming unit. Tight End. I can only imagine where this group will be ranked in the NFL. Versatile blocker and occasional pass catcher Durham Smythe is the starter. Tyler Kroft, another solid blocking TE is next on the depth chart and surprising undrafted rookie from Campbell, Julian Hill. Our 6th RD pick, former WR Elijah Higgins didn’t make the 53 and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe Julian Hill ends up being the surprise receiver of this group, who knows?

On special teams, K Jason Sanders returns for his 6th season and at P, we signed former NE Patriot Jake Bailey, who spent 4 seasons with the Patriots. Blake Ferguson returns as the Long Snapper and Braxton Berrios will be the primary KR/PR. Cedrick Wilson Jr., Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane and River Cracraft will round out the depth in the return game.

Overall, I’m really happy with the roster. The question marks are the O-line, backup QB, depth on the D-line and at least until Jalen Ramsey is healthy, depth at CB. Eli Apple doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence, so he will need to play well enough to stay on the field. We lost Keion Crossen to injury and he’s out for the season. Problem is, behind Apple is potentially Kader Kohou, Justin Bethel, Kelvin Joseph and Parry Nickerson. The depth is shaky, which is precisely why we brought in Jalen Ramsey. Best expectations for Ramsey would be late November, but I think December for actual playing time is more realistic. Even then, to expect him to came back and be the player he’s been his entire career coming back so soon after injury is a big ask. As I mentioned, I love the running backs, so glad Chris Brooks is in the mix. I’m a little concerned with how Achane was “rag dolled” and then injured, but I can’t wait to see him get some space. Brooks is unquestionably the sole physical RB in the group. Mostert, Ahmed and Achane are looking to run away from contact while Brooks welcomes it. I feel like our WR’s are very strong, love the addition of Berrios. The offensive line could be a pleasant surprise if Armstead can stay healthy, and Wynn and Jackson do their job. We’ll see if this star studded LB crew rise to the hype. If they do, we could be a top 10 defense for sure!

GO DOLPHINS!!!