It’s still so early, but let’s check out the NFL.com projections for Phins starters
The journey through Training Camp and Preseason along with the yearly injuries, off field problems, and surprise trades can flip any script of any player, so there’s no 100% guarantees on who will or won’t start Opening Day. But, generally speaking, within the framework of ‘under normal conditions’, a fair debate about Week 1 starters can be made. And, since we’ve hit the desert of NFL news–besides the ‘he said, she said’ stuff–discussing the Phins starters this year gives us something to talk about, so it’s worth giving it a whirl.
*Bold faced players are near locks under normal circumstances.
First, the term ”starters” on defense is a little flexible because Flores might take a player and give him starting reps one week and not starter reps the next. In some cases, these starter reps will be dependent on the player’s skillset and the opponent Miami is facing. On the otherside of the ball, the offense will be far more fixed as who will get starting reps on game day….
… so let’s kick it off with the recievers.
Waddle is a perfect compliment for Parker because the duo brings speed and size options to Tua. Given Parker’s big contract and the huge price for Waddle, they are the best bets with the top sportsbook software to be Miami’s starting pass catchers. But, we don’t know the game plan for Week 1 against the Patriots. Will Miami decide to come out with a two TE for a heavier front? This will put pressure on Fuller’s reps, who mirror Waddle’s skillset. Also, I wouldn’t boot Bowden Jr. out of the mix to take the lion’s share of slot or 3rd receiver. Fuller also has a history of inconsistency for this and that. So, even though I could see him locking up starting reps, I just don’t see him as a clear starter until a lot more shakes out.
How big–and unclear–is the O-line in 2021
Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt will be starters, but Kindley, Skura, and Eichenberg aren’t in my eyes. Kindley struggled hard at the end of 2020 and is reported to be ‘quite big’ early in camp. D.J. Fluker is a quality veteran who could be well served to move inside and replace Ereck Flowers. Fluker has every advantage over Kindley at this point, aside from youth. Tua’s protection takes precedence over wanting to play the drafted player, especily since Kindley is only a 4th Round pick. To a smaller extent, Skura has a similiar advantage over Michael Dieter, who is his principle challenger at center. But, this is a critical season for the former 3rd Round pick, so I could see it going either way.
Then there is Jesse Davis, who dropped about 15lbs in the offseason. His greatest weaknesses were handling smaller edge rushers, swaps, and run blocking. He wasn’t terrible in the run game though and moved all over the line playing next to new, fresh faces week-in and week-out. So, I’m not terribly concerned about either of these issues forcing him into the backup role. On the otherhand, I am concerned about his slow kick step and loss of leverage against smaller speed rushers. But, the dropping of 15lbs isn’t a small thing and could go a long way towards him being good enough to fight off Eichenburg in the early stages of 2021.
I won’t write Jesse Davis off just yet.
Jaelan Phillips has star talent, but a slow roll could be best
Jaelan Phillips can do it all, but his key talent is pass rush. Considering Phillips also has a injury history and will have to split snaps with different combos involving Sieler, Baker, Ogbah, Jenkins, and Biegel… among others, I could see him getting a majority of pass rush reps to ease him into the NFL. Flores need Phillips the most in clear passing downs, he doesn’t need him getting extra banging around in run down, where so many others can fit the bill.
This isn’t a knock on Phillips, but more about saving the kid so he can bring the heat throughout this critical season. There will be plenty of time to add to his plate late this season or the next.
Safety position is a hard one to predict
The safety spot is so hard to predict because of so many moving parts. Eric Rowe, Jason McCourty, Brandon Jones, and Jevon Holland will make one heck of a camp battle. It could be Holland and Jones as starters just as any combo. I can’t help but feel this year will be a little different and Flores will have less of a ‘youth feeling out stage’ with the team Flores might very well want to hit the ground running a little quicker byeasing some rookies on defense. But who knows… so, I’m going to do a push here until there’s some tape to look at.
As for Noah Igbinoghene, there is no way to say with any credence that he’ll get starting reps. His 2020 tape was terrible and he showed very little growth. Yes, he is a 1st Round pick, but that’s the only rationale anyone could make for him starting Week 1. Could Igbinoghene drastically improve? Sure! Is there anyway at this point to say he has? NO!
So, based on evidence, Igbinoghene is the least likely at this stage on Rosenthal’s list to start.
Of course, I’m hoping this changes dramitcally.
Phins are so deep…
This team is so deep and will have so many surprise cuts and starters that most projections are shooting at the moon. This is going to be an amazing camp and preseason that will end up being as entertaining as many previous seasons. These next several weeks can’t move quickly enough! Go Phins!!! — The Pros and Cons of Casino Gaming With Pay Per Head Software.
The defensive lineup is a bit peculiar, with 3 d-linemen and 3 linebackers. and Philips listed at LB and Wilkins listed at DE. 3-4, 4-3, 4-2 Nickel. It’s not really any of those, but it’s closest to Nickel. But I can guarantee that in a nickel, Jerome Baker is a starter.
With Philips and Van Ginkel both listed as OLB… they would both be an SLB… and Baker is the WLB; so if Philips actually plays OLB, Van Ginkel will not be on the field.
In the 4-3, Philips is DE, and Wilkins is DT. Igbinoghene is on the bench and Baker is WLB.
In the 3-4, maybe you could have Philips and Van Ginkel as olb, with Mckinney and Baker at ILB. But how good can Philips be in pass coverage? Maybe like Jason Taylor in pass coverage? If we’re lucky?
Hey, Rich… from what I’ve read (need to study the kid’s tape) he can do it all including coverage. Last year, Sieler even player 5 tech… these guys are assignment based rather than positionally pass for the most part. Jenkins won’t play CB and Howard won’t be a NT… but there’s huge flexibility with a shift or two either way. some guys are 100% certain to get starters reps… some will flex depending on the team and the gameplan and their skillset. This defense has me the most excited… they are the posterboys for dynamic… Flores will have soo many tools to express his vision this season.
Not sure about Baker. He struggle on run downs… but, to your point if they can get high quality 2Gap, he could be a star shooter and could be poised for a big season. He needs to be kept very clean though. His story will be a very interesting one.
I suppose their lineup is about right. I think our depth is better than last year for sure if we can stay healthy. They have Phillips as an OLB. Is he an OLB or a edge rusher? Can he cover the NFL passing game?
Hey, Van… How are you doing? Phillips is so talented he can rush, run defend and cover! I’d say he an edge as either a down or stand up. The kid could be a star he’s that versitile and talented. If he can only stay healthy… fingers crossed.
The defensive lineup is a bit peculiar, with 3 d-linemen and 3 linebackers. and Philips listed at LB and Wilkins listed at DE. 3-4, 4-3, 4-2 Nickel. It’s not really any of those, but it’s closest to Nickel. But I can guarantee that in a nickel, Jerome Baker is a starter.
With Philips and Van Ginkel both listed as OLB… they would both be an SLB… and Baker is the WLB; so if Philips actually plays OLB, Van Ginkel will not be on the field.
In the 4-3, Philips is DE, and Wilkins is DT. Igbinoghene is on the bench and Baker is WLB.
In the 3-4, maybe you could have Philips and Van Ginkel as olb, with Mckinney and Baker at ILB. But how good can Philips be in pass coverage? Maybe like Jason Taylor in pass coverage? If we’re lucky?
Hey, Rich… from what I’ve read (need to study the kid’s tape) he can do it all including coverage. Last year, Sieler even player 5 tech… these guys are assignment based rather than positionally pass for the most part. Jenkins won’t play CB and Howard won’t be a NT… but there’s huge flexibility with a shift or two either way. some guys are 100% certain to get starters reps… some will flex depending on the team and the gameplan and their skillset. This defense has me the most excited… they are the posterboys for dynamic… Flores will have soo many tools to express his vision this season.
Not sure about Baker. He struggle on run downs… but, to your point if they can get high quality 2Gap, he could be a star shooter and could be poised for a big season. He needs to be kept very clean though. His story will be a very interesting one.
Is Fuller playing week one?
Man, you nailed it, brother. He misses Week 1! Where were you in the editing stage? Thanks!
I suppose their lineup is about right. I think our depth is better than last year for sure if we can stay healthy. They have Phillips as an OLB. Is he an OLB or a edge rusher? Can he cover the NFL passing game?
Hey, Van… How are you doing? Phillips is so talented he can rush, run defend and cover! I’d say he an edge as either a down or stand up. The kid could be a star he’s that versitile and talented. If he can only stay healthy… fingers crossed.