2022 Phins Boast A Premier DB Group?!
In a passing league, an elite Phins DB group would be a huge advantage
The Miami Dolphins have had themselves a very busy offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball! However, one of the team’s best units is on the defensive side with their secondary. The Phins re-signed Xavien Howard to a new contract and tendered Nik Needham to keep them playing with Byron Jones, Brandon Jones, Eric Rowe, and Jevon Holland. So the Dolphins will be fielding a secondary with all of their starters from last year, which ranked 17th in yards last season. With a powerhouse offense backing them for the first time, can this secondary rise to the top of the NFL by playing with the lead?
Howard & Holland are special players
According to most pay per head sites, Howard is the best ball-hawking cornerback in the league and is the crown jewel of this group with his 27 career interceptions. As long as Howard stays healthy there’s no reason to think he can’t put up another Pro Bowl season this upcoming year. Howard has never played with an offense that can give him the lead consistently. What will his numbers look like when he sees pass-happy offenses throwing the football all day long trying to keep the pace?
On the other side of the field is Bryon Jones, who doesn’t make a lot of interceptions, he only had two with the Dolphins in 2020 and none in 2021. But, his strengths are he is physical against the run and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Jones is a very good number two cornerback and would be deemed a #1 on most teams.
The last of the top Phins corners is undrafted Nik Needham, who entering his 4th year in the league. He has done a good job as a nickel cornerback defending against slot receivers since his rookie season. He has 2 interceptions in each of his 3 years in the league, along with 1 sack in each season as well. Needham notched his first pick-6 last year as well. He still has the potential upside to improve and become a top nickel cornerback in the league.
Phins safety group is stocked up!
Young and physical safety Brandon Jones is entering his third year in the league. He has improved each year, and last year racked up 5 sacks, which was the most of any safety in the league. Jones also had 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and a total of 79 tackles in 2021. His ability to be used on a blitz and actually get to the QB is a great attribute and not something many safeties can do.
Eric Rowe is the veteran on the team and is coming off his best season. He played well against the pass and run in 2021, and except for a couple of elite players, he has limited opposing tight end production. For many years, this was a sore spot on the defense and Rowe was a big reason why this defense turned the corner in that weakness last season.
Jevon Holland is our second star in the secondary along with Howard. He is coming off an excellent rookie season, where he started in 16 games, had 69 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 2.5 sacks, and was spectacular in coverage. Holland has a high motor, infectious personality, and has a nose for the football. If Holland can continue to improve, he has the chance to be a Pro Bowl safety and one of the best in the league.
This unit has few weaknesses other than its depth at the boundary corner. Hopefully Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer can continue to use them to great effect as he did towards the end of last season. If they can get a real offense baking them and continue to grow together as a unit, this unit has a real chance to be special and be one of the best NFL secondaries in 2022.
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts on the potential of our secondary?
