Phins Secondary A Strength… Or Could It Use Help #11?
Phins: ‘You can never have enough quality pass defenders in this pass happy league.‘
Phins DB’s flashed in 2017… but did they show enough?
The Phins have shaken up the roster pretty good this offseason. One position that has not been caught up in the makeover–so far–is the Secondary.
Over the last few years, Miami has quietly improved their pass coverage. One of the few bright spots from last year was the flashes of talent from their young DBs.
But will those flashes become consistent fires? Miami will have an excellent chance to grab a top cover talent at #11. Is the current secondary good enough to not even consider picking a defensive back with the first pick?
Last season the Dolphins did a decent job by allowing 236.8 yards per game through the air–good for 13th best in the league. However, they did get beat on 26 passing touchdowns, which ranked 23rd best.
Jones and McDonald will be the Safety duo in 2018. Considering that they only played 8 games together last year, because of McDonald’s suspension at the beginning of the season, they should improve. We were expecting more from this duo in 2017, but the hope is that another offseason together will give them better chemistry and communication.
Miami has spent a ton at Safety… but they still aren’t set at the position
This is one area in the secondary where you could see Miami going with the 1st RD Pick. There’s no doubt that Minkah Fitzpatrick could be a wise option, should he fall. Neither Jones nor McDonald was proven to be excellent when left alone in a Single-High look in Cover-1. So Miami doesn’t have a true Free Safety on the roster. They could definitely use one for their man cover looks to stop the deep burns we saw in 2017.
Good news: Tony Lippett is fully recovered from his season-ending knee injury, so all the starters are returning to the secondary.
While Phins Cornerbacks are very young, they flashed the ability to be very good–at times. By the end of last season, Howard was playing lights out and finally showing why he was drafted in the second round. Some of the best bookie services are predicting a major breakout season from Howard in 2018. There’s no reason why he can’t become a legitimate #1 Corner this season if he continues to play as he did in the 2nd half of last season.
Bobby McCain was also a very pleasant surprise and was the most consistent of all the DBs. McCain shined with big plays, consistent tight coverage, and sure tackles. His development turned an are of concern into an area of strength. Last year he had 48 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 7 passes defended which were all single-season personal records for him. Coach Gase also referred to McCain as one of the players that continues to develop. Can he repeat his play in 2017… and even improve on it?
Tankersley could make this secondary special
The other starter is penciled in is Cordea Tankersley, who was able to start 11 games as a Rookie last season. there were some bumps in the road, and he did suffer an injury that caused him to miss a couple of games, but overall he was a nice surprise. Tankersley’s will need to fight off Lippett to keep his starting job. In 2016 Lippett was beginning to show he was a capable starting caliber CB with 4 interceptions. This should be one of the better competitions during the offseason and should only help to make each of these players better.
Here’s M.J’s break down of Tankersley’s 2017 Season:
Tankersley received his first start on the road against the Saints in Week 4. He had some nice breaks on the ball, showed excellent closing speed, and good tackling. Overall, his play on the day was solid. Brees started out attacking him and then moved off him as the game progressed. This was a very good sign because if he was easy pickings, he’d of had his head handed to him on a silver platter.
Week 4: Saints “Ain’t No Easy Pickings”
Week 5 against the Titans, Tankersley had another solid performance, but rookie yips reared their head. His raw footwork was revealed to be a weakness and receiver comebacks (3 Route) took advantage of this. The 3 Route would grow to become his biggest issue in the weeks to come. Yet, he did display excellent physicality and a willingness to stick his nose in it. Overall, another solid performance.
Week 5: Titans “Warts And Toughness On display”
In Week 6 against the Falcon Tankersley played a lot of off coverage. Despite giving up a few receptions, his coverage was tight. Tankersley’s play on the ball in the 4th Qtr was the reason Jones made the interception, sealing the Dolphins very memorable comeback.
Week 6: Falcon “Hand In Epic Comeback”
Tankersley played a part in giving up two T.D.s. While the first was inches away from a deflection, a veteran move by the WR with a slight push off taught ‘Tank’ a big lesson. The second T.D. was Safety Allen’s fault as he bit on the underneath and gave Tankersley no over help. It would have been easy for Tankersley to get into a funk the following game. Instead, the next week, he bounced back and had a deflection on a deep pass that led to an interception, proving he was mentally tough.
Week 7: Jets – Week 8: Raiders “Beaten Up And The Bounce Back”
The middle of the season had ‘Tank’ battling the 3 Route with both losses and wins. His biggest trait that shined was his excellent effort. He had some key stops as the last man in the line of defense. The kind of hustle he displayed goes a long, long way in my book. His physicality though would cost him some games. Tankersley was knocked out of the game on an excellent run-stop against the Broncos on the 1st defensive play. A good offseason in an NFL training program will be essential in allowing him to stay healthy and physical.
Week 9: Panthers – Week 13: Broncos “Ups And Downs And Knockout”
Tankersley’s return was mostly noneventful. I was very surprised the Bills didn’t target him more. The one time they did target him, Tankersley was sloppy and it cost the Phins big. Even though he was in position, he gets nervous and completely loses his cool and technique. This kind of mistake is to be expected due to being green and with a few weeks out of action.
Tankersley looks like an exceptionally promising player. The Phins have an excellent prospect for the price of a 3rd Rounder. Give credit where credit is due. Very nice job by Chris Grief and the scouts. IF Tankersley can improve, then Miami will have a stout pass-cover defense in 2018.
Week 17: Bills “Good… But For One BIG Mistake”
Phins clearly have talent and tools to be effective. There should be no reason why this group can’t continue to improve together and be the leaders of our defense. I know that Fitzpatrick might be a bit of a luxury, but he could turn this Phins secondary a great one. No other cover defender would be the right move #11– if he drops that far (AND HE DID!!). What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about our Secondary Group and the draft?
We can come out of this Draft with two solid TE’s
Scenario: TightEnds
What do we need in A tight end.
Mark Andrews Oklahoma Sooners 2017 Hype
https://youtu.be/ooLbLAU4pQ8
We can get in the undrafted Free Agency/ Ethan is overlooked!
Ethan Wolf Career Highlights (2014-2017) | HD
https://youtu.be/dFR1roxw4o0
Mike Gesicki 2017-18 Highlight Mix || Penn State TE #88
https://youtu.be/oKFZVezYedI
South Dakota State TE Dallas Goedert Career Highlights
https://youtu.be/S8XIc9WLYOI
Dalton Schultz Stanford TE Best Blocking Tight End in the PAC 12 5-7 rounder
https://youtu.be/SfX6cIgMnEc
Awesome posts fellas. The draft is fast approaching (not quick enough).
Admin, loved the clips on LBers, Smith and Edmunds. It seems as though that their strengths are exactly what our LBers struggle with. Their weaknesses could be help via schemes and techniques, etc? It is this reason that I feel a LBer (Smith/Edmunds) will be the pick. I have been more and more tipping towards Safety’s: James/Fitz. They do make sense as well, though I do like Bates as well (second round)? I don’t see Miami taking a O-Lineman at all in the first round, even if Nelson falls they trade down. I do not see Miami taking a DT in the first either. Gase said it himself, he likes a rotation at DT, if thats the case why spend a pick at #11 for a rotational player?
Options should be there at 11: Smith/Edmunds/Fitz/James, imo will be one of the picks, if not look for a trade down.
The main reason I believe LBer at 11; with LBer taken care of at 11, Miami could still get a DT such as Hurt/Bryan in the second or safety such as Bates there. And, HOPE that one of the top 5 TE’s are available in the third. Everything I see and or read has Oklahoma TE Andrews being the third or even forth TE of the board. I HOPE thats the case and he is there for Miami in the third. He, in imo, is by far the best route running TE in the past couple of years. Andrews understands leverage/deception and he uses his body like no other. He needs to improve his blocking skills, but Miami needs a threat at TE.
Bottom line, Miami MUST come away from the draft with a starting LBer and a starting TE.
They could go into the season without coming away with a starter at the other area of needs as is. Not ideal, but reasonable if needed.
LBer/TE positions must result in a day one starter. I understand BPA approach, but if Miami goes into the season with their current LBers/TEs, could be a repeat of ’17, RBs/TEs roaming free in secondary, and no threat down the seams/red zone offensively.
Hey Dunner… just found out Lemmus is going to be fine. He disappeared for two weeks and I thought the worst. He was readmitted to the hospital… he should be back to new in a few weeks. The thing with Smith is he can’t cover TE’s or shed. I just don’t see him being a good fit for this scheme or personnel or needs. Edmunds would be light years better for us. I’d love to get Edmunds even though he too has issues of diagnosis… he’s young though and even if he becomes okay in the head side of the game, he’ll still a good player. I just can’t get over Smith’s issues… he seems to avoid contact with blockers… I REALLY don’t want him. James is another who I like but might sit too much due to McDonald and Jones. I could very well be wrong. I hope we have a chance at Edmunds, Fitz or Vea… or a trade back. Def would like the TE to come in Rd2. I think if they coud find an SLB in the 3rd they’d be-be okay. I really like Anthony, Chase, and McMillian. Kiko… I just don’t know… he is pretty poor. SLB’s are only on the field 60% of the time anyway. The LB they signed today is a decent SLB, but more likely back p ST guy… of course, he likely won’t even make the roster. They usually keep what LB’s?
Wow! Great to hear, give him my best. All from a snake bit, ouch? Maybe living in Upstate NY isn’t that bad, ha ha! Curious to hear his take on the new O-Line and the departure of Pouncey, Suh, Landry, etc., and who he would like to take in the first round (though I probably have a hunch, Q.Nelson).
I too would like Edmunds, I don’t think Smith is going to be there anyways. I also had mixed reviews of Smith the few times I watched him. However; all of the experts are enamored over this guy, leading me to believe that I just haven’t seen enough of Smith to say either way. When you mention “Sams” being on the field for maybe 60% of the time, I believe that Smith would be an exception and be a 3 down “Sam” backer. I am really starting to hope for a Fitz slide to 11. I must say, if Fitz, Edmunds, and Smith are on the board at 11, I am seriously leaning toward Fitz. I just can’t help but to see Fitz as a Jaylen Ramsey type player for this Fins “D”, wouldn’t that be great? If that were to happen, they could then grab their “Sam” in the second and hope like hell that one of the top 5 TEs are still on the board in the third.
Then again, I also can’t keep from thinking about Edmunds at 11, and hope to grab DT Maurice Hurst in the second. Hurst very well could be there due to a heart condition discovered during combine, so a slide could be possible. What a future that could be with the addition of Edmunds and Hurst to the “D”. I do like DTs Phillips (Stan) and McIntosh (Mia, “junkyard dog”) as well.
2 weeks away, can’t come quick enough. I believe this draft is going to one for the ages…
Interesting Day 3 prospest Miami cannot overlooked!
4th or 5th Darius Phillips* • Western Michigan
https://youtu.be/bHTQLLIALbg
Isaiah Wynn, C/G/OT, Georgia 2nd to 3rd round
James Daniels, C, Iowa 2nd to 3rd Round
Frank Ragnow, C/G, Arkansas 3rd to 5th rounder
Sean Welsh, C/G, Iowa 3rd to 5th rounder
Will Clap, C/G, LSU 3rd to 5th rounder
Austin Corbett, C/OT, Nevada 3rd to 5th rounder
Taking from the Miami Herald:
Some experts believe that!
The Dolphins would be fine if they don’t use a single draft pick on a corner back or an offensive lineman in this month’s NFL Draft because they have starters and decent depth at those positions.
But Miami is nevertheless using some of its 30 permitted nonlocal predraft visits on those positions.
Ward might be gone by the time the Dolphins pick at No. 11. ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both predict he will go seventh to Tampa Bay.
From a dolphin fan point of view If the the Corner is best value that’s who you draft, in the long run the Dolphins get more solid players, also increase the trading value. We have descent Corner Backs but not elite YET!
Alternate option
https://youtu.be/XNXm1a_Gb18?t=2
Braden Smith
The latest additions to the list: Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward (according to NFL.com) and Auburn guard Braden Smith (according to a league source).
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 3-4
SOURCES TELL US “He’s really strong but he’s not a consistent block finisher because defenders can pull him off-balance. I thought he was much better in the early and middle parts of the season than he was at the end when his team really needed him.” — AFC team area scout
NFL COMPARISON Kevin Zeitler
BOTTOM LINE Braden Smith has an NFL-ready frame and will impress evaluators with the eyeball test. When the eyeballs are focused on the tape, they will see a player who is more than capable of matching power with power, but can be too regimented in his movement and overall play. Smith is a grinder whose play could vary greatly based upon the matchup across from him. He has size and power, but the holes in his game are unlikely to be patched up with coaching. He can become an average to solid starter.
In our top 20 salaries(80% of the cap), 9 players are below average, and Suh is gone.
Our safeties score a 74 and an 81 from PFF. Our corners, Tankersley scores a 53.6, and Howard has a 56. Note: Our slot corner McCain scores better with an 80.1. Starting Corner is a bigger need than backup safety.
I’m not convinced that Kilgore is the answer at Center(he was a backup for 5 seasons)… I might consider trading down for another 2nd rounder and picking up the top center in the draft around spot 20.
Alonso had a down year, he’s not good in pass coverage, and did much better at MLB the previous year, when he didn’t have to cover receivers. Branch has a high salary for a backup.
Player Base Salary PFF Rating Notes
1 Ndamukong Suh $26,100,000 91 Gone
2 Robert Quinn $11,444,412 58.1 Below Average
3 Andre Branch $10,000,000 50.9 Below Average
4 Kenny Stills $9,750,000 49 Below Average
5 Kiko Alonso $9,637,500 39 Below Average
6 Cameron Wake $9,625,000 83.2
7 Ja’Wuan James $9,341,000 80
8 Ryan Tannehill $8,676,666 70 Below Average/Average
9 Josh Sitton $6,500,000 86
10 Danny Amendola $6,000,000 80
11 Daniel Kilgore $5,375,000 51 Below Average
12 Reshad Jones $4,960,000 81.5
13 Albert Wilson $4,833,333 77.7
14 DeVante Parker $3,460,717 73.2
15 Laremy Tunsil $3,397,541 59.5 Below Average
16 T.J. McDonald $2,502,000 74.3
17 Charles Harris $2,464,540 76.7
18 Bobby McCain $1,964,072 80.1
19 Ted Larsen $1,941,666 39.4 Below Average
20 Xavien Howard $1,671,283 56 Below Average
total $139,644,730
Great post Rich… For me I love PFF, but sometimes it lacks context a bit. Howard sucked for 7-8 games, his last 7 he played near lights out. Which is he? Tunsil moved to a new position, missed most of camp and played next to dead bodies at LG. But when a semi-competent LG was there his play improved. McCain is in his 3rd year… back-end talent takes time to develop–if it ever does– and year 3 usually is a big marker. As far as salaries, Kilgore, for example, makes a tidy sum this year, but the next year it drops to 2 mill. Kilgore will be a certain improvement over Pouncey because he won’t be an injury question mark and has superior point of attack strength over Pouncey that will help power the essential run game. Not saying he is even close to Pouncey in talent, but consistency and improvement in the run game are key for Miami. I like the trade down, but I believe the blocking scheme will be more G focused and this will take some of the focus of the C… Brendel and Kilgore should be able to handle it. Also, this will likely be a much better run attack and that will help the line too when they can be in better 2nd and 3rd down situations. Kilgore will be stable at least. I’m a big believer in Davis and Sitton. I think they will bring a whole new look to the OL in 2018 and that will permeate through the whole team.
Overall, they do need to move on from kiko and Branch next year…maybe Wake, and they do need some step up and bounce backs to happen. If they can get more wins than losses with these payers, they’ll be fine. Ju’Wuan James didn’t do well under coke head as an example. When cokehead left his play improved… then he got injured. Look at James play in 2015 …before the injury. His play was much more consistent. He even said he was never comfortable with cokeheads techs. True or fiction… we’ll see. So many moving pieces Rich. I do see this as a right direction… but I’m likley in the minority.
Player Base Salary PFF Rating Notes
1 Ndamukong Suh $26,100,000 91 Gone
2 Robert Quinn $11,444,412 58.1 Below Average… I think when he goes back to a DE he’ll be far better than as a stand-up OLB.
3 Andre Branch $10,000,000 50.9 Below Average… I’d say avg. last year he was banged up all year. In 2016 he had a slightly above avg year… but I see him as avg… gone next year.
4 Kenny Stills $9,750,000 49 Below Average… not used properly. He will be far better this year with a consistent run game and Tannehill. Play action from a real run attack will give him more 1-1.
5 Kiko Alonso $9,637,500 39 Below Average… disaster. Can’t shed or cover.
6 Cameron Wake $9,625,000 83.2
7 Ja’Wuan James $9,341,000 80
8 Ryan Tannehill $8,676,666 70 Below Average/Average who knows… injury, growth, regression?
9 Josh Sitton $6,500,000 86
10 Danny Amendola $6,000,000 80
11 Daniel Kilgore $5,375,000 51 Below Average… still better than Pouncey and his contract becomes peanuts next year.
12 Reshad Jones $4,960,000 81.5
13 Albert Wilson $4,833,333 77.7
14 DeVante Parker $3,460,717 73.2
15 Laremy Tunsil $3,397,541 59.5 Below Average… sophomore slump and moving to his second spot in two years. Most of his issues were boneheaded… missed most of the preseason with a weird personal issue. Also, his play improved when Larsen stepped in. Vet helped stabilize his play… this should grow far more with Sitton in their.
16 T.J. McDonald $2,502,000 74.3
17 Charles Harris $2,464,540 76.7 Harris was given good kudos by PFF and his last 6-7 games were good. He improved dramatically–especially in run fits… although this crowded DE group is a bit of a head-scratcher.
18 Bobby McCain $1,964,072 80.1
19 Ted Larsen $1,941,666 39.4 Below Average… he’s avg. given his ability to pay all 3 interior spots and exp. and not worth much either. The line stabilized with him in at LG last season.
20 Xavien Howard $1,671,283 56 Below Average… 2nd half Howard or 1st half of the season Howard. We’ll see.
total $139,644,730
Admin
We can draft one of the three FS.
64 Justin Reid Stanford Jr FS 2 6-1 202
129 Jessie Bates III Wake Forest Soph FS 5 6-2 200
133 Marcus Allen Penn St. Sr FS 6 6-2 202
Two fine 2018 Undrafted Free agent.
Terrell Edmunds Va. Tech and Dominick Sanders UGA Career are both under good FS. Dominick is being overlooked in this draft.
261 Terrell Edmunds Va. Tech Jr FS 12 6-2 210
Terrell Edmunds || “Nation’s Most Underrated Safety” ᴴᴰ || Virginia Tech Highlights
https://youtu.be/af8nHC2x_7M
Dominick Sanders UGA Career Tribute Highlights
https://youtu.be/V7UoIzIy0B0
I’d say Minkah is #3, Vita #2, Edmunds #1 best players to draft. Don’t think Mayfield will be there… and not sure if he’d be the right fit. James is talented… but not sure he can play 1 high and there is a glut at S. I have my reservation with Smith in this system and I think he fits better elsewhere. Don’t want a CB at this point. If Nelson somehow fell… that would be hard to say no to. I do like your trade back still… but worry if the quantity will equal the quality. BUT… there are scenarios where Minkah and Mayfield are the only “elites” left… then I would swing heavily to your side of trading back… But I really doubt Mayfield falls… that should leave Vea or Edmunds on the table. I do think they need a legit cover 1 safety… but they don’t have the ammo to expend on one till their 2nd 4th…