May 4, 2025 • 33 mins
Travis is back to dissect the roster for a second-straight episode, this time on defense. He’ll go through the personnel and explain where the roster has its strengths, how it was built to the liking of Coach Anthony Weaver, and how Weave managed adverse situations a year ago that promise to be much better in 2025.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
What is up, Dolphans And welcome to the Draft Time Podcast.
I am your host, Travis Wingfield. And on today's show,
part two of the post draft roster Reset brings us
to the defensive side of the football. I'll talk about
the importance of continuity and how we could see year
two of Anthony Weaver in this defense evolve and cover
(00:29):
all the personnel from the Baptist Health studios inside the
Baptist Health Training Complex. This is the Draft Time Podcast.
Friday was the offense, today the defense, and we did
the open on the offense and shift a little bit.
Let's go ahead and do the same thing here with
Anthony Weaver and the defense. And I lead off with
(00:50):
his name for a reason, I think one of the
most slept on aspects of any team right now in
the National Football League. And maybe I'm just not listening
to the right circles, but national media, social media, local media,
I don't read a lot. That's not fair to the
local media. Those guys have been really good to Anthony Weaver.
(01:12):
But besides that, I don't read a lot about Anthony Weaver.
And maybe that's because of the enigmatic head coach that
he works under. Perhaps I don't know, but I want
you to consider what he did last year and consider
what transpired across his roster in terms of the attrition
and depletion on that side of the football. I think
(01:33):
you start with the pressure rate, well, maybe not the
pressure rate, but the disruption rate, perhaps because the pressure
rate wasn't great. Twenty point six percent was twenty third
in the National Football leag They were twenty seventh in sacks,
but you know what they were seventh and third down defense,
which helped them finish fourth in total defense. And I
think those numbers can be fugezi a little bit. But
(01:55):
when you look at how the Dolphins arrived at their production,
a lot of it came through scheme, understanding of the
personnel on how to best get the how to get
the most out of that personnel, I should say, and
here's how all of that happens. So the TLDR, the
too long didn't read on the scheme is you get
multiple players in the front, really all of them capable
(02:16):
of pre snap alignments at multiple positions, which allows us
to introduce a simplistic blitz signal system that allows us
to incorporate a plethora of rush games that every player
understands from every position.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Do you guys with me so far?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
So I can say purple, and I know that as
a five technique, I am slanting across the tackle's face
and that the three technique will loop around the outside.
It's a stunt, basically, right. And that's not a real
playbook phraseology. That's just a random note that I'm giving you.
I can say lamp, there's a lamp in this room
right here, or pillow, and you know on pillow that
(02:52):
the linebacker mugs up in the a gap that off
ball backer position, that the stack mic backer he mugs up,
and my defensive tackle drops out on the hook zone.
Everyone knows what every call means from every position. You
got that, okay? And then in the secondary it's well
stitched together zone coverages with very believable disguises, timely man
(03:12):
calls and rotation to the hot receiver, paired with a
league average blitz rate. But that league average blitz rate
is really propped up by a very good sim pressure package,
which we'll talk about here more in one second. But
I think you could say, in addition to Chop Robinson,
Zach Seeler and Kalais Campbell, all capitalizing on one on
(03:34):
one situations when they got him. The thing that most
directly led to a solid defense for me was Weavers
defenses giving the opposing quarterback enough unique presentations to cause hesitation,
which typically gets punished. You know the Rams game, the
Niners game, the Texas game, Texas Texans game, and various
(03:55):
other games against teams who didn't have quarterbacks at that level.
I use those teams because Stafford Purty and CJ. Stroud
are some of the best quarterbacks in the league and
other quarterbacks the aide o'connells of the world when you
played Jacoby Brissette in New England for example, right, But
those high level teams, the quarterbacks that struggled were confused
(04:16):
by what they saw from the Dolphins defensive presentation. Now,
like any defense in modern football, there were some not
so great games against Buffalo, against Green Bay, the Jets
at the end of the season, and on balance, I
think you could look to a few things that would
suggest that pressure rate increases, which will always directly correlate
to fewer points allowed.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
And what does that mean?
Speaker 1 (04:35):
That means more victories for y'all football team, And that's
having the difference rather having Bradley Chubb from the jump
compared to not at all last year. That's getting Jalen
Phillips for more than three and a half games ideally, right,
that's Chop Robinson's learning curve being vastly accelerated from where
it was at this time a year ago. And just
because it helps explain some of the depth issues in
(04:56):
the front seven that you encountered. I really hate going
back to this f I've mentioned his name twelve times
over the last you know, nine months, Robert Paulson Shaq
Barrett retiring four days before camp certainly didn't help your
edge position, and he was supposed to be that Andrew
Van Ginkle role. There was a split decision there, or
rather a decision about how they should allocate that resource,
(05:19):
and they went after Shaq Barrett and Andrew Van Ginkle
walked him Minnesota. And if Shaq Barrett had said I'm retiring,
that's probably Van Ginkle probably would still be here now.
I think one of the things that drove that communication
and the well tethered coverage was the presence on the
back end from three very good versatile cornerbacks, which I
you know, Miami had that in Ramsey and Fuller and
(05:41):
Cohu Fuller is gone, although I do think Kendall's December
really tailed off and that knee injury with that age,
like you can see where the riding was on the
wall there. The Ramsey situation remains up in the air,
but when you got a one away player, it's tough
to I guess Miles Garrett did do that same thing
couple couple months ago and came back, So I don't know,
(06:02):
but Caterkohu is coming off of, from my money, his
best season. And then you've got a bunch of questions
like does Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson,
Jason Matriech, Can those guys make a step? Can Jason
Marshall Junior be a hit as a rookie? Is their
help on the way coming? We'll talk about that on
the Wednesday podcast. I believe that will be decided in time,
(06:23):
and I can't sit here and lie to you and
tell you that I'm confident that it will look better
than what it was a year ago on paper. But
I do tend to lean the way of trusting Anthony
Weaver's vision for that side of the football, and as
you get to safety. That's a group that's been totally
remade too right, and an absolute needed one. In my opinion,
I felt the often safety position last year was not
(06:43):
just the worst safety group in the NFL, one of
the worst safety position or one of the worst positions
of any group across the entire football field in the
entire league. And I felt there were context clues that
forecasted a little bit of what Weavers looking for in
terms of building it to match his scheme, to more
reflect what his influences have taught him, you know, going
(07:05):
back to oh my gosh, what just Romeo Crenell totally
blaked on Crnell's name, or with Mike McDonald and Baltimore,
And one of those things was the attachment to a
number of freaky trait safeties, right and the ultimate signing
of if emlafon Wu, who checks that box in a
big way. So I think there's more to unferral from
(07:26):
coach Weaver in terms of the menu of his playbook.
You know, our first time, our first year with the
same DC and back to back season since Josh Boyer,
the first time under Mike McDaniel, he's had that a
chance to start further ahead, and that's something coach talked
about being very excited about on the Draft Time podcast
not that long ago.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
I'm super excited because I felt a tangible shift last
year during the season on when collectively the whole.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Group got it.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Yeah, and I had felt that the year previous, and
to be able to start in the off season program
closer to you know what I think it's all about,
which is, you know, focusing on technique and fundamentals more
so than anything, it just takes your whole pie of
(08:17):
time allotment and significantly emphasizes and creates a much larger
larger piece of the pie that is technique and fundamental development,
which is ultimately what you want to do that continuity.
I'm very excited because I think it's the perfect storm
(08:40):
of really really liking schematically where we're at, and then
guys being able to build upon something, which which is
a huge That's what the off season is about.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Man.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
The way I had to find that clip and to
get it on the program here, let's just say Travis's
old editing skills wouldn't have cut the mustard as it were.
Let's go ahead and get into the roster here and
start on the interior, where things look much different now
than they did just two weeks ago. In the defensive
tackle position, Zach Seeler, Kenneth Grant, Benito Jones. Although I
(09:12):
am if I'm stacking the depth chart for my purposes,
I'm going with Jordan Phillips as the third defensive tackle
in Benito Jones next, then Zeke bigger Is, Matthew Dickerson,
Neil Ferrell, and u DFA Alex Huntley. The way we
really overcame the attrition off the edge last year was
expanding the workload of a few of his best, most
(09:33):
versatile players, which speaks positively about what he can do
not just in twenty twenty five, but beyond. And this
meant a probably bigger than planned workload for Kalais Campbell
at six hundred steps. Zach Seeler continuing to access Goblin
mode for the sixth straight year and doing it at
an eighty percent workload. Aside from having an orbital bone
(09:53):
broken that cost him the first two miss games of
his career and that's all he missed, and that put
more impetus on to Sean Hand and Benito Jones. So
Kalayas has gone DeShawn also has gone and in their
place is arguably the best defensive tackle in the draft.
I think he was the best player in the draft
of the position, a fifth round defensive tackle who I
felt could have easily been a late Day two pick,
(10:15):
and then another pick in the seventh round in Zeke
Bigger's And let's actually discuss Zach Stealer here, because he
is the straw that stirs the drink right miss two
games in his career again, broken freaking Eyeball plays every
position out of the five technique all the way inside,
can beat NFL tackles around the edge and destroy guards
in the center with premiere length, inside determination, and brute strength.
(10:38):
He's a pivotal part of those rush games we mentioned
up top. And he's a straw because he's the one
that you can slot in at any of the ten
plus positions across the front five tech in both ways.
He also allows you to get creative in your front
rotation because he can be part of any of them,
and he can play sixty snaps a game. He's our
justin Mattabuke, only more productive most sacks among any defensive
(11:01):
tackle in the NFL over the last two years, elite, elite,
elite player. He might be the best defensive tackle in football,
and he still can't make a damn Pro Bowl.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Figured that one out.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Then I look at KG in a different vein as
the one occupied by Kalayis. Kalais was like Zach Seeler
in that he's a three technique first, but his next
most frequent spot is working out towards the end. KG
is a three technique who first works inside towards the
zero the nose tackle position, and he is an elite
interior rusher with size, power, length, heavy and aggressive hands,
(11:32):
and light feet not just for a three hundred and
forty pound man, but light feet for somebody who weighed
three hundred and fifteen pounds. And speaking of the rush
prowess inside, we talked about Jalen Carter, Elijah Cansei who
was the third name. It was another big time monster inside.
There was three guys over the last five years that
had better interior Byron Murphy, better interior pass rush win
rates than Kenneth Grant, and those guys were all like
(11:54):
three hundred and fifteen, three hundred and twenty pounds. He's
three forty gives you elite run defense and he's am
a dominant interior pass rusher and he's got more room
to grow too.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
But that's getting off script.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
I think that can be the lynchpin inside those two
guys being your you know, your Zach and your Kalayas
from last year. And then you get Jordan Phillips, you know,
kind of a platoon player with Benito Jones on the
nose tackle who can both moonlight in the three two
two I technique. That's more Jordan Phillips game for my money,
And make sure to check out a new episode of
Dolphins HQ this week round breaking down all the rookies
(12:27):
with one play scouting.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
And I have a clip of Jordan Phillips.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
I am very excited to show you guys about with
his wrestling background and how he can win in multiple
ways in the sport. I watched, you know, watching his tape,
you kind of wonder why he was on the nose
three hundred and twenty pounds as much as he was,
But then it's like, oh, yes, because he can play
that strong and you really see that wrestler background there. Man,
he can hit a quarkscrew technique, which is basically where
you turn your shoulder into a gap against a double team,
(12:52):
so the attached player has a smaller target point to
launch at you and can't get a clean piece of you.
And as you do that, you hold the point of
a against the other faction of the double team, you
can drop the knee and cause the pile up. He
just has a really good kinetic feel for his body
and his own pliability. That position went from a big
question mark in my opinion, to you know, as and
we didn't know who the hell was gonna play snaps
(13:14):
alongside Zach Steeler to one that I feel pretty good
about all of a sudden, Let's go ahead and pause
for our first break. Come back and do edges and linebackers.
We'll finish up with the defensive backfield. All of that
next Draftime podcast, your host Travis Wingfield, brought to you
by It.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
I don't nation.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
So the interior of the defensive line is vastly improved.
How about the outside of it? Chop Robinson, Jalen Phillips,
Bradley Chubb. How do you want to stack those guys?
I don't really care how you do it. I think
Chubb and Phillips can be based down defenders more than
Chop can. Then Chop is kind of your wild card,
but he can rush for multiple spots, and I think
can play the run well enough to be a seventy
five percent snap taker. From there, it's kind of muddy
(13:53):
about how you want to stack it. Quentin Bell, cam Good,
Moe Kamara, Grayson Murphy, William Bradley King, and Derek MC.
I think you could argue that you could use one
more name in there. You're kind of fourth guy, your
Shaq Barrett, if you will, because we saw Chubb and Phillips,
although we didn't count on Chubb right away last year
with a first round pick and Robinson with that free
agent contract with Barrett, you don't really have that fourth
(14:16):
guy right now. But we'll see what it looks like
come September.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
What was it October?
Speaker 1 (14:20):
We talked about this group to the top two segments.
We'll go ahead and pull the defensive tackle group in
here as well. Having three and a half games total
of Chubb and Phillips reminded me how much I missed
what they brought to the table just against the run.
Back in twenty twenty three. I remember reporting on this
all throughout camp. The emphasis they would put on an
individual drills, and it carried over into team and they
(14:41):
would get this great test every single day against the
best outside zone team in the league that year, and
they would hold their own and they would do it
against Ron Armstead and Austin Jackson and any other guys
that came in their way, Kendall Lamb and from there
you can consider what their return does to Seler being
inside more to keeping him in there. But also we
just didn't have a player like even with Kalais, we
(15:02):
did not have a player of Kenny g's ilk.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
We just didn't.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
He's the way he moves at that size. There's not
many guys in the world that look like that, And
I have to imagine that that's a reason why you
pass on Jaday Baron and Tyler Warren and Gray's Abel
and Josh Simmons and whoever you know, whoever else you
thought might be a possible pick there at number thirteen,
Because there's like six of these guys on the planet.
(15:28):
You know, they're like the rarest breed, the rarest form
of football player, guys that size that move that well.
Dexter Lawrence is probably the best example of that. Devandre
Sweat last year a good example of that, and he
was flat out dominant in Tennessee. Both those defenses run
the same defense, don't we run? And yeah again, Kalais
was awesome, But biggest player on the field is going
to be Kenneth Grant every single Sunday. He's a better
(15:49):
athlete than eighty percent, if not your entire offensive line.
And what that can do for a defense that played
in their nickel base package better than seventy five percent
of the time. That's defending the run light boxes right, Well,
that's why you go get a big body nose tackle again,
just like the Ravens with Michael Pierce for years, three
hundred and sixty pounds inside, like the Titans getting to
Andre Sweat last year in another Ravens Tree defense, three
(16:12):
hundred and sixty pounds to Andre Sweat. Extra credit. If
you remember the Defensive Tackle snapload Breakdown podcast and you
remember the Seahawks not having the big nose tackle on
their roster, well what do they do to rectify that?
They claimed Brandon Peeley, who I didn't think could play
at this level, but he's a big body, and they
signed Quentin Bohanna, a three hundred and thirty five pound
(16:34):
nose tackle, So you get it. It's a universally seen
as imperative role within this defense, and that's for a reason.
It compensates for the loss of size you get from
taking a linebacker off the field and bringing a defensive
back onto the field and playing in two high structures
without that extra run defender in the fit, because Kenneth
(16:55):
Grant can basically clog two gaps and play one of
your gaps as a fit.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
And then there's the pass USh.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Jalen Phillips showed you even off the Achilles injury that
he was blossoming just in the same way he was
right when he got hurt against the Jets back in
twenty twenty three. The speed rush, the bowl rush, the
speed to power, ability to rush off the edge or
from the three technique. Just a dominant player who's seen
his career essentially put on pause for the last one
(17:20):
and a half months. Can you count on that? I
think that's the question you have here. But knowing JP
personally and how he goes about his business, I would
be stunned if he does not refine the form that
he played at previously. It's just going to be about
keeping the body healthy. And again, these players are forgotten
about from a national perspective, Right, I'm guilty of this,
Like I forgotten about TODJ. Washington last year, Right. And
(17:43):
that's when you haven't made a play in the league,
becase you're a rookie. But when you get hurt, it's
easy to be forgotten about.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Man.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
But that's just what we do. We is in the
Royal We with injured players. But if JP gets back
and he becomes that fifteen sack potential player, dude, that
changes freaking everything. Because when you talk about this defensive
backfield and the you know, lack of name power within it,
you're worried about the defense. But it's like if you
if Jelen Phillips is on the same track that he
(18:09):
was when he got Hurgans the Jets, it changes the
entire equation. So I think that would go a long
way towards elevating the team. You can't count on it,
but you can you can see it's a possibility. And
we haven't even gotten to Chop Robinson yet, who I
think has rare traits and makes players. You know, that's
the traits that make players great. He's got them. Like
(18:32):
the getoff, the way he developed his bend ability around
the edge, his technique, his hands, giving himself outs to
strike guys, you know, to not strike his chest and
keep himself clean so he can rip around that corner.
And we barely began to scratch the surface on bringing
him over the football and the a gaps the way
Penn State did as a nosebacker. We started to see
it late in the year. But that's the strength of
(18:53):
Jordan Brooks, of Willie Gay. If you Fatum LaFond again,
interchangeable rush games for this defense upfront. I think that
Chop is poised to make a huge jump. I think
him and JP are both gonna have ten sacks this year.
Is that crazy? If they both play seventeen games, both
Chop and JP, you are gonna have ten sacks. Then
(19:14):
you have an interesting battle for the depth spots. And
this is where I kind of have an issue, or
not an issue, but a hard time sorting how it
might look. Quentin Bell, Mo Kamara, Cam Good and then
my favorite dark horse on the entire roster, And right
now I'm gonna slot him as the fourth come like
week number five.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
It might not happen right away. But it's Grayce and Murphy.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Murphy's gonna be a player in this league, okay, And
I would stake reputation points on that. He is so
dang good. He's so dang physical, and he gets hurt
on the first damn series of the preseason after having
a really good series in that game. His power, his rush, polish,
his length, his hand usage, there's a reason he was
getting pressures in sacks every damn day in camp last year,
(19:53):
so it seemed. And then I think Quentin Bell's a
really good fourth option there as well, because he can
be a base down guy. Maybe Murphy's more of your
rush in those situations, but Quinton does offer occasional rush.
He's got very good special teams ability, He's positioned diverse,
and hopefully he's pushed by all the other young guys
trying to make their first impact on this roster. And
(20:13):
I think that's a big theme on this year's team.
We talked about it before. There wasn't a ton of
unknown going into camp last year, and that's got its upside.
It's nice to know you've got you know ballers at
every spot, but I think having open competitions at some
spots and across a decent amount of your roster. Foster
is better football, and it also fosters an environment that
(20:34):
can prepare you for high leverage situations. As far as
the off ball linebackers go insidelnebackers, Jordan Brooks, Tyrrel Dotson,
Willie Gay kJ Britt. That's how I'd stack the top
four Channing Tendall, Da Kwan Jackson and Udfa Eugene Assante.
I am fired up about this group. Man our front
seven I think is really good. The questions are on
(20:54):
the back end and to bring it back to the
Mike McDonald tree, what have those teams traditionally? Remember the
Ravens really took off in twenty twenty three after a
slowish start and they capture the number one seed. Go
figure is when they acquired Roquwand Smith. I think Jordan
Brooks is our Roquan Smith, and you sorted to see
the national media catch on last year. There were some
(21:14):
folks talking about him as a dark horse all Pro
and I think you'll see that momentum carry into this year.
The leadership. You heard him talk about it last year.
Just sitting down with a guy for lunch and getting
to know your teammates, so you can anticipate how he'll
react in the heat of battle. Did I mention he's
an elite football player. He can mug up the a gaps,
He can camp in a traditional stack position and defend
(21:35):
the run in the past that way. I like him
as an overhang player where he kind of hangs off
the side of the formation, not stacked in the position,
and can either reroute, can cover the nickel, can go
to the curl flat and play the hook. It just
expands his ability to have multiple options, because if you're
playing the mic position, you're probably not gonna go get
the curl flat over there. You're probably not gonna cover
man coverage in the slot receiver. Like, there's multiple things
(21:56):
you can do from that position when you play that overhang.
I think the pieces we added really frees him up
to do more of that where he doesn't have to
take on blocks as much, which he can do, but
when he can roam free, he's a dangerous, dangerous player
where he can unlock that speed, He's terrific against the run.
He has exceptional range and coverage and the blitzing this
guy offers is perfect for this defense, and I feel
(22:19):
like the rest of the room compliments his skill sets
so well. Tyrel Dotson took on a leadership role down
the stretch last year, and he's been a big communicator
in the building the entire offseason. I think you saw
the way they prioritized him this offseason, and they sniffed
around Drake Greenlaw and that would be a big upgrade.
But Drake Greenlaw has injury issues and has an age.
You know, I think there are an age he's older.
I should say, of course he has an age. But
(22:42):
there was a certain price point. I don't think they're
willing to budge on, and you can see why because
he's already got an injury in Denver. But you saw
them pivot immediately after that price tag got too expensive
to Dotson and pay him a nice little chunk of money,
which to me tells you he's gonna play a lot
of football this year. And he has the playmaking chops too, right,
three picks last year tied for the team league, and
(23:02):
he has some big time play speed.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Speaking of play speed, you.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Heard me rave about Willy gay back in the Free
Agent podcast a couple months ago, two months ago. Already,
can you believe that I can't imagine a better jack
of all trades fit at the linebacker position for this
defense than Willy Gay. I think we've could unlock the
best year of his football career, and what he signed
for I don't get it, but I'll take it because
I think he's a great football player. And then with
(23:26):
kJ Britt, the way he processes the game, the physicality
he plays with he is the one who I think
allows you to move Brooks around in your base looks
because he can be your stack mike linebacker. You know,
I think first down three linebackers in the field Anthony
Walker role, he's in the middle, you get Gay or
Dodson with Brooks on the outside of that. I think
Brooks or Britt rather is better suited for that interior position.
(23:48):
Doesn't take false steps. He's really well studied and one
of the many, many, many parts that you can see
Miami making a concerted effort to get tougher, bigger, more physical, smarter.
We don't need to rehash every move, but he's the
closest player you have to a Landon Roberts since he
left for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Was it Steelers? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (24:06):
This room has traditionally kept four to five players, so
if Tyndall, Jackson or Asante can impress, they'll usually expand
the linebacker room to keep to accommodate that many players.
But it's a fluid situation that could give way to
a defensive back to an edge rusher.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
We'll see what happens.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
But Tindall is a guy that kind of has to
kind of bring it up here towards the end to
get on the roster for the fourth straight year. Let's
go ahead and pause for our last break, come back
and do the defensive backfield and break this entire thing down.
That's Next Draft Time podcast, brought to you by Autnation.
The cornerback position, Well, the room is a little bit
(24:43):
uneven up top right now because we don't know what's
gonna happen once Gilan Ramsey, but he is still here,
so he is a top the list. Cater Kohu, Cam Smith,
Lardi Burns, Storm Duck, Jason Marshall Junior, Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson,
Jason Matrie, Bump Cooper Junior, and then two udfa's Brandon
Adams and Ethan Robinson. I think you have to operate
under the assumption that Ramsey won't be here again. We've
(25:05):
seen situations like this resolve themselves across the league, as
recently as Miles Garrett in Cleveland, but will operate under
the assumption that he's going to be traded, and that
leaves some questions going into camp at the position. I
thought one of the real calling cards of this defense
last year was having those three interchangeable cornerbacks who can
move around and excel from all three positions, thus giving
(25:25):
you the disguise of the pre snap presentation and the
ultimate mystery you provide your the opposing quarterback and your
own defense with that disguise and presentation. I thought cater Co,
who's played down the back half of twenty twenty four,
garnered a promotion in terms of his playing time. I
think he's equipped to play on the perimeter at this
point of his career and a good study on how
cornerbacks can evolve, because early in the year I thought
(25:48):
he really struggled in phase to expand his zones and
to play fast in those spots and anticipate, but all
of that got better. I think he's a very good
man cornerback that can match up all over the formation
and one of the tackling corners in the entire game.
If you want to throw a screen to Cato Coo,
who's get prepared for a loss of yardage and then
you get into the unproven. You know, Greer has talked
(26:08):
a lot about the need for cam Smith to step forward.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
This year.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
We saw Storm Duck play as a UDFA, threw some
ups and downs, and I thought there was some some
rough tape towards the end of the year. Ethan Bonner
had a promising rookie season, but we did not see
him at all last year. And I think there are
three dark horses in the room. Akin to what I
said about Grayson Murphy, Lardy Burns will be a hit
if big, if he's healthy. Hasn't played more than three
(26:32):
hundred snaps since twenty eighteen, so big, big if. But
the tape is good when he's been out there, especially
last year, and a Mike McDonald defense, maybe he gives you,
you know, a few games worth a good of good reps.
At the cornerback, I think Isaiah Johnson and if they
want to play more man this year, that's his calling card.
He's a big, long cornerback who didn't run very well,
probably why he didn't get drafted, but he is physical
(26:53):
as hell. And then Matre will play NFL snaps at
some point. I think both these guys will play NFL snaps.
Matree was fantas Hassick in camp last year. I thought
he had a chance to break the break camp with
the team, but I think there's a chance he could
do it this year. He could break camp and be
your slot cornerback. Don't sleep on him, Okay, Jason Matri
remember that name. I also think about Johnson randomly on
the back to back reps he had last year into
(27:15):
practice in the indoor facility when he completely clamped down
two end zone shots of Tyreek Hill with his length
and physicality now six' four or rather six' two versus. Five,
nine yeah it's a bit of, a mismatch but you
get that across the. LEAGUE sometimes i don't know a
Lot about cooper or the. Two udfas we'll go ahead
and keep an eye on those guys. In, OTAs ultimately
i hope we find a veteran. OUT there i thought
(27:35):
the older cornerback crop was something to stay away from,
early on but now with the potential Loss of ramsey.
To Me rasul douglas makes a bunch OF sense I Like.
Mike hilton i'm still intrigued By A. Sante samuel we
can talk about those guys more on a. Future episode
let's go ahead and conclude the defense here with the,
safety group and he Fought To, Melafon Wu, Ashton davis,
Patrick McMorris, Patrick McMorris we're gonna talk about him a.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Little Bit, Elijah.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Campbell Dante, Trader Junior, jordan Colbert And John. Saunders Junior
ifiamela fanwu is staying healthy away from being, a star
he is. So electric he has Excellent indicator he's excellent
at reading indicators and. Good words travis even better athleticism
(28:18):
to fire from a, back pedal to click and clothes to,
get downhill and the physicality to come down and take
on a full back in the. RUNNING game i also
think about his, play style all the blitzing. He offers
that was a non negotiable fine for them. This, offseason
again the Report's connecting Miami To, jeremy Chin To Nicky
man WORRY To. Jj roberts all three of these guys
they brought in for visits or that were they were
(28:39):
interested in a, free agency who were guys that have
temperature changing athletic ability and multiplicity to play across the
entire formation and blitz. The quarterback AND then i think
there's different play styles and competition all across. THIS room
i think you can say there's not really a true
safety one or maybe even two true. Safety twos you've
got some threes. In There But ashton davis's, best TAPE
(29:02):
and i would say he's a safety three is playing
the post or half field and quarter responsibilities where he
can camp back and just go find the football make
a play. On it eight picks over one thousand and
fifty defensive snaps in his career is a kind of a.
Crazy stat that's a full seasons worth of snaps and
eight picks in one year would be. Pretty remarkable if he,
found it he finds. The football if you want more
(29:24):
of a, Hitter Tackler, ROBERT rusher i Could see patrick
McMorris playing that route and this guy or, THAT role i,
should say and this guy keep an Eye on patrick.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
McMorris man he was all over the field.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
LAST year i went back and watched that preseason game
again where he was just making what you have like
ten tackles in, the game, downhill coverage reps everything as
college tape shows you some of.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
THAT too i think he was showing that in camp a.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
LITTLE bit i think he has potential to be, at
worst your big nickel and third safety who plays plenty
of reps in a variety of roles and still very
extremely intrigued by what he showed. Last year, and remember
this is a defense that can go, big nickel where
maybe your solution to that fifth defensive back spot is not,
a cornerback it's.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
A safety Maybe it's patrick.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
Mc Morris elijah campbell is a core special teamer who
can do some of the mc morris stuff. As well
and then we'll see about The. ROOKIE trader i think
he's got good instincts and knowledge for, the position if
not a. Great athlete And then Colbert AND saunders i
will see more about them. As Well but trader true
student of, the game and those guys can kind of
find their way onto the, field early especially in the
favor of a coaching staff that, prioritizes THAT which i
(30:27):
think this Year the Dolphins and intelligence are.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
Kind of two p's in.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
A pod it would not surprise me if we saw
a trader hit the ground running and get some early
love and camp from all the, GUYS there i would
feel really good about. This group if you just Dropped
In marcus Williams Or julian blackman into, the mix that
would change the entire Dynamic and i'd feel great about.
The group either way would be a massive upgrade on
twenty twenty four because it was terrible. Last year and then,
(30:52):
THE specialist i actually forgot that there's two partners on
the team. Right Now So ryan Stonehouse And Jake Bailey
jason sanders you're unheralded, kicking star And Then bleake ferguson
has competition this Year IN New Dfa, Kneeland hibbert stonehouse,
Booms them sanders was, dialed in And then blake last
year missed most of the season on the. Inactive list
defense as, A whole i think we're a couple of
(31:12):
pieces away in. The secondary we'll talk about that more,
later ON though i think their front seven has taken
a massive step in the. Right direction we'll see what
the secondary looks like on opening day compared. To NOW
but i, think you on balance have more Of a
weaver influenced defense than you had a. Year ago we
kind of broke this down in the, open already but
to put a bow on the roster resets what do?
Speaker 2 (31:31):
We do we Got bigger.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Number one we got guys that, love football who, prioritize
football and who are smart. Football players that's a big key,
this offseason especially on. THE offense i know that the
offensive staff wants guys that can pick it up right
away and get on the field and make. An impact
we got deeper. Number three this is a TEAM that
i think can handle injuries more than they have in.
The past and, number four we got more balanced. On offense.
WHAT remains i think it's safe to say they checked
(31:55):
off two of the biggest needs on the roster and
really leaves one area where there's. Some. UNKNOWN right i
get the, term holes and, YOU know i think it
can be applied incorrectly at times because holes or, you
know sometimes what you just have when you don't know the, guy's,
Names right like a Fan in nebraska who Doesn't watch
dolphins football is not gonna Know who patrick. McMorris is
(32:16):
what if he breaks out. This year it's why there's
always surprises in. This league, SO unproven i guess is
the best way to. Put IT and i would push
back at the safety POSITION because i do think That
if Emela fan wu is a starter if, he's healthy
but that's a, big IF and i Could Say, ashton davis,
you know maximized his Opportunities in patrick mc morris showed
you the potential to be a starter in this league
with his limited work. Last year and that's not to
(32:38):
mention that this again free agent safety class has a
ton of big names left And guys i'm very much
interested in looking at for. Next, year again We Signed
marcus may. Last year Was it june or Was? IT july,
i forget but there. You go that's the. Roster reset
we're gonna come Back. On wednesday i'll do the color
coordination board for. You guys we'll talk about some of
the udfas that popped, off tape and maybe take a
(32:58):
look AT the nfl dot com remaining free, agent list
just to get you guys ready and prime. For OTAs
we Have rookie minnie camps this weekend, as well so
we'll get our first look at some of these guys on.
The field but, until then you all please be, sure,
subscribe rate review, The show follow me on Social AT.
Wingfold nfl follow the Team At. Miami dolphins check out
The fish tank Podcast with Seth, and juice the YouTube Channel,
(33:20):
FOR dolphins hq, media availabilities drive, time content and so,
much more and last but, Not Least miami dolphins.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Dot com until, Next Time, Finns.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Up, Carolin Cameron Daddy's.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
Coming home
What is up, Dolphans And welcome to the Draft Time Podcast.
I am your host, Travis Wingfield. And on today's show,
part two of the post draft roster Reset brings us
to the defensive side of the football. I'll talk about
the importance of continuity and how we could see year
two of Anthony Weaver in this defense evolve and cover
(00:29):
all the personnel from the Baptist Health studios inside the
Baptist Health Training Complex. This is the Draft Time Podcast.
Friday was the offense, today the defense, and we did
the open on the offense and shift a little bit.
Let's go ahead and do the same thing here with
Anthony Weaver and the defense. And I lead off with
(00:50):
his name for a reason, I think one of the
most slept on aspects of any team right now in
the National Football League. And maybe I'm just not listening
to the right circles, but national media, social media, local media,
I don't read a lot. That's not fair to the
local media. Those guys have been really good to Anthony Weaver.
(01:12):
But besides that, I don't read a lot about Anthony Weaver.
And maybe that's because of the enigmatic head coach that
he works under. Perhaps I don't know, but I want
you to consider what he did last year and consider
what transpired across his roster in terms of the attrition
and depletion on that side of the football. I think
(01:33):
you start with the pressure rate, well, maybe not the
pressure rate, but the disruption rate, perhaps because the pressure
rate wasn't great. Twenty point six percent was twenty third
in the National Football leag They were twenty seventh in sacks,
but you know what they were seventh and third down defense,
which helped them finish fourth in total defense. And I
think those numbers can be fugezi a little bit. But
(01:55):
when you look at how the Dolphins arrived at their production,
a lot of it came through scheme, understanding of the
personnel on how to best get the how to get
the most out of that personnel, I should say, and
here's how all of that happens. So the TLDR, the
too long didn't read on the scheme is you get
multiple players in the front, really all of them capable
(02:16):
of pre snap alignments at multiple positions, which allows us
to introduce a simplistic blitz signal system that allows us
to incorporate a plethora of rush games that every player
understands from every position.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Do you guys with me so far?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
So I can say purple, and I know that as
a five technique, I am slanting across the tackle's face
and that the three technique will loop around the outside.
It's a stunt, basically, right. And that's not a real
playbook phraseology. That's just a random note that I'm giving you.
I can say lamp, there's a lamp in this room
right here, or pillow, and you know on pillow that
(02:52):
the linebacker mugs up in the a gap that off
ball backer position, that the stack mic backer he mugs up,
and my defensive tackle drops out on the hook zone.
Everyone knows what every call means from every position. You
got that, okay? And then in the secondary it's well
stitched together zone coverages with very believable disguises, timely man
(03:12):
calls and rotation to the hot receiver, paired with a
league average blitz rate. But that league average blitz rate
is really propped up by a very good sim pressure package,
which we'll talk about here more in one second. But
I think you could say, in addition to Chop Robinson,
Zach Seeler and Kalais Campbell, all capitalizing on one on
(03:34):
one situations when they got him. The thing that most
directly led to a solid defense for me was Weavers
defenses giving the opposing quarterback enough unique presentations to cause hesitation,
which typically gets punished. You know the Rams game, the
Niners game, the Texas game, Texas Texans game, and various
(03:55):
other games against teams who didn't have quarterbacks at that level.
I use those teams because Stafford Purty and CJ. Stroud
are some of the best quarterbacks in the league and
other quarterbacks the aide o'connells of the world when you
played Jacoby Brissette in New England for example, right, But
those high level teams, the quarterbacks that struggled were confused
(04:16):
by what they saw from the Dolphins defensive presentation. Now,
like any defense in modern football, there were some not
so great games against Buffalo, against Green Bay, the Jets
at the end of the season, and on balance, I
think you could look to a few things that would
suggest that pressure rate increases, which will always directly correlate
to fewer points allowed.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
And what does that mean?
Speaker 1 (04:35):
That means more victories for y'all football team, And that's
having the difference rather having Bradley Chubb from the jump
compared to not at all last year. That's getting Jalen
Phillips for more than three and a half games ideally, right,
that's Chop Robinson's learning curve being vastly accelerated from where
it was at this time a year ago. And just
because it helps explain some of the depth issues in
(04:56):
the front seven that you encountered. I really hate going
back to this f I've mentioned his name twelve times
over the last you know, nine months, Robert Paulson Shaq
Barrett retiring four days before camp certainly didn't help your
edge position, and he was supposed to be that Andrew
Van Ginkle role. There was a split decision there, or
rather a decision about how they should allocate that resource,
(05:19):
and they went after Shaq Barrett and Andrew Van Ginkle
walked him Minnesota. And if Shaq Barrett had said I'm retiring,
that's probably Van Ginkle probably would still be here now.
I think one of the things that drove that communication
and the well tethered coverage was the presence on the
back end from three very good versatile cornerbacks, which I
you know, Miami had that in Ramsey and Fuller and
(05:41):
Cohu Fuller is gone, although I do think Kendall's December
really tailed off and that knee injury with that age,
like you can see where the riding was on the
wall there. The Ramsey situation remains up in the air,
but when you got a one away player, it's tough
to I guess Miles Garrett did do that same thing
couple couple months ago and came back, So I don't know,
(06:02):
but Caterkohu is coming off of, from my money, his
best season. And then you've got a bunch of questions
like does Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson,
Jason Matriech, Can those guys make a step? Can Jason
Marshall Junior be a hit as a rookie? Is their
help on the way coming? We'll talk about that on
the Wednesday podcast. I believe that will be decided in time,
(06:23):
and I can't sit here and lie to you and
tell you that I'm confident that it will look better
than what it was a year ago on paper. But
I do tend to lean the way of trusting Anthony
Weaver's vision for that side of the football, and as
you get to safety. That's a group that's been totally
remade too right, and an absolute needed one. In my opinion,
I felt the often safety position last year was not
(06:43):
just the worst safety group in the NFL, one of
the worst safety position or one of the worst positions
of any group across the entire football field in the
entire league. And I felt there were context clues that
forecasted a little bit of what Weavers looking for in
terms of building it to match his scheme, to more
reflect what his influences have taught him, you know, going
(07:05):
back to oh my gosh, what just Romeo Crenell totally
blaked on Crnell's name, or with Mike McDonald and Baltimore,
And one of those things was the attachment to a
number of freaky trait safeties, right and the ultimate signing
of if emlafon Wu, who checks that box in a
big way. So I think there's more to unferral from
(07:26):
coach Weaver in terms of the menu of his playbook.
You know, our first time, our first year with the
same DC and back to back season since Josh Boyer,
the first time under Mike McDaniel, he's had that a
chance to start further ahead, and that's something coach talked
about being very excited about on the Draft Time podcast
not that long ago.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
I'm super excited because I felt a tangible shift last
year during the season on when collectively the whole.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Group got it.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Yeah, and I had felt that the year previous, and
to be able to start in the off season program
closer to you know what I think it's all about,
which is, you know, focusing on technique and fundamentals more
so than anything, it just takes your whole pie of
(08:17):
time allotment and significantly emphasizes and creates a much larger
larger piece of the pie that is technique and fundamental development,
which is ultimately what you want to do that continuity.
I'm very excited because I think it's the perfect storm
(08:40):
of really really liking schematically where we're at, and then
guys being able to build upon something, which which is
a huge That's what the off season is about.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Man.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
The way I had to find that clip and to
get it on the program here, let's just say Travis's
old editing skills wouldn't have cut the mustard as it were.
Let's go ahead and get into the roster here and
start on the interior, where things look much different now
than they did just two weeks ago. In the defensive
tackle position, Zach Seeler, Kenneth Grant, Benito Jones. Although I
(09:12):
am if I'm stacking the depth chart for my purposes,
I'm going with Jordan Phillips as the third defensive tackle
in Benito Jones next, then Zeke bigger Is, Matthew Dickerson,
Neil Ferrell, and u DFA Alex Huntley. The way we
really overcame the attrition off the edge last year was
expanding the workload of a few of his best, most
(09:33):
versatile players, which speaks positively about what he can do
not just in twenty twenty five, but beyond. And this
meant a probably bigger than planned workload for Kalais Campbell
at six hundred steps. Zach Seeler continuing to access Goblin
mode for the sixth straight year and doing it at
an eighty percent workload. Aside from having an orbital bone
(09:53):
broken that cost him the first two miss games of
his career and that's all he missed, and that put
more impetus on to Sean Hand and Benito Jones. So
Kalayas has gone DeShawn also has gone and in their
place is arguably the best defensive tackle in the draft.
I think he was the best player in the draft
of the position, a fifth round defensive tackle who I
felt could have easily been a late Day two pick,
(10:15):
and then another pick in the seventh round in Zeke
Bigger's And let's actually discuss Zach Stealer here, because he
is the straw that stirs the drink right miss two
games in his career again, broken freaking Eyeball plays every
position out of the five technique all the way inside,
can beat NFL tackles around the edge and destroy guards
in the center with premiere length, inside determination, and brute strength.
(10:38):
He's a pivotal part of those rush games we mentioned
up top. And he's a straw because he's the one
that you can slot in at any of the ten
plus positions across the front five tech in both ways.
He also allows you to get creative in your front
rotation because he can be part of any of them,
and he can play sixty snaps a game. He's our
justin Mattabuke, only more productive most sacks among any defensive
(11:01):
tackle in the NFL over the last two years, elite, elite,
elite player. He might be the best defensive tackle in football,
and he still can't make a damn Pro Bowl.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Figured that one out.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Then I look at KG in a different vein as
the one occupied by Kalayis. Kalais was like Zach Seeler
in that he's a three technique first, but his next
most frequent spot is working out towards the end. KG
is a three technique who first works inside towards the
zero the nose tackle position, and he is an elite
interior rusher with size, power, length, heavy and aggressive hands,
(11:32):
and light feet not just for a three hundred and
forty pound man, but light feet for somebody who weighed
three hundred and fifteen pounds. And speaking of the rush
prowess inside, we talked about Jalen Carter, Elijah Cansei who
was the third name. It was another big time monster inside.
There was three guys over the last five years that
had better interior Byron Murphy, better interior pass rush win
rates than Kenneth Grant, and those guys were all like
(11:54):
three hundred and fifteen, three hundred and twenty pounds. He's
three forty gives you elite run defense and he's am
a dominant interior pass rusher and he's got more room
to grow too.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
But that's getting off script.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
I think that can be the lynchpin inside those two
guys being your you know, your Zach and your Kalayas
from last year. And then you get Jordan Phillips, you know,
kind of a platoon player with Benito Jones on the
nose tackle who can both moonlight in the three two
two I technique. That's more Jordan Phillips game for my money,
And make sure to check out a new episode of
Dolphins HQ this week round breaking down all the rookies
(12:27):
with one play scouting.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
And I have a clip of Jordan Phillips.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
I am very excited to show you guys about with
his wrestling background and how he can win in multiple
ways in the sport. I watched, you know, watching his tape,
you kind of wonder why he was on the nose
three hundred and twenty pounds as much as he was,
But then it's like, oh, yes, because he can play
that strong and you really see that wrestler background there. Man,
he can hit a quarkscrew technique, which is basically where
you turn your shoulder into a gap against a double team,
(12:52):
so the attached player has a smaller target point to
launch at you and can't get a clean piece of you.
And as you do that, you hold the point of
a against the other faction of the double team, you
can drop the knee and cause the pile up. He
just has a really good kinetic feel for his body
and his own pliability. That position went from a big
question mark in my opinion, to you know, as and
we didn't know who the hell was gonna play snaps
(13:14):
alongside Zach Steeler to one that I feel pretty good
about all of a sudden, Let's go ahead and pause
for our first break. Come back and do edges and linebackers.
We'll finish up with the defensive backfield. All of that
next Draftime podcast, your host Travis Wingfield, brought to you
by It.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
I don't nation.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
So the interior of the defensive line is vastly improved.
How about the outside of it? Chop Robinson, Jalen Phillips,
Bradley Chubb. How do you want to stack those guys?
I don't really care how you do it. I think
Chubb and Phillips can be based down defenders more than
Chop can. Then Chop is kind of your wild card,
but he can rush for multiple spots, and I think
can play the run well enough to be a seventy
five percent snap taker. From there, it's kind of muddy
(13:53):
about how you want to stack it. Quentin Bell, cam Good,
Moe Kamara, Grayson Murphy, William Bradley King, and Derek MC.
I think you could argue that you could use one
more name in there. You're kind of fourth guy, your
Shaq Barrett, if you will, because we saw Chubb and Phillips,
although we didn't count on Chubb right away last year
with a first round pick and Robinson with that free
agent contract with Barrett, you don't really have that fourth
(14:16):
guy right now. But we'll see what it looks like
come September.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
What was it October?
Speaker 1 (14:20):
We talked about this group to the top two segments.
We'll go ahead and pull the defensive tackle group in
here as well. Having three and a half games total
of Chubb and Phillips reminded me how much I missed
what they brought to the table just against the run.
Back in twenty twenty three. I remember reporting on this
all throughout camp. The emphasis they would put on an
individual drills, and it carried over into team and they
(14:41):
would get this great test every single day against the
best outside zone team in the league that year, and
they would hold their own and they would do it
against Ron Armstead and Austin Jackson and any other guys
that came in their way, Kendall Lamb and from there
you can consider what their return does to Seler being
inside more to keeping him in there. But also we
just didn't have a player like even with Kalais, we
(15:02):
did not have a player of Kenny g's ilk.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
We just didn't.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
He's the way he moves at that size. There's not
many guys in the world that look like that, And
I have to imagine that that's a reason why you
pass on Jaday Baron and Tyler Warren and Gray's Abel
and Josh Simmons and whoever you know, whoever else you
thought might be a possible pick there at number thirteen,
Because there's like six of these guys on the planet.
(15:28):
You know, they're like the rarest breed, the rarest form
of football player, guys that size that move that well.
Dexter Lawrence is probably the best example of that. Devandre
Sweat last year a good example of that, and he
was flat out dominant in Tennessee. Both those defenses run
the same defense, don't we run? And yeah again, Kalais
was awesome, But biggest player on the field is going
to be Kenneth Grant every single Sunday. He's a better
(15:49):
athlete than eighty percent, if not your entire offensive line.
And what that can do for a defense that played
in their nickel base package better than seventy five percent
of the time. That's defending the run light boxes right, Well,
that's why you go get a big body nose tackle again,
just like the Ravens with Michael Pierce for years, three
hundred and sixty pounds inside, like the Titans getting to
Andre Sweat last year in another Ravens Tree defense, three
(16:12):
hundred and sixty pounds to Andre Sweat. Extra credit. If
you remember the Defensive Tackle snapload Breakdown podcast and you
remember the Seahawks not having the big nose tackle on
their roster, well what do they do to rectify that?
They claimed Brandon Peeley, who I didn't think could play
at this level, but he's a big body, and they
signed Quentin Bohanna, a three hundred and thirty five pound
(16:34):
nose tackle, So you get it. It's a universally seen
as imperative role within this defense, and that's for a reason.
It compensates for the loss of size you get from
taking a linebacker off the field and bringing a defensive
back onto the field and playing in two high structures
without that extra run defender in the fit, because Kenneth
(16:55):
Grant can basically clog two gaps and play one of
your gaps as a fit.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
And then there's the pass USh.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Jalen Phillips showed you even off the Achilles injury that
he was blossoming just in the same way he was
right when he got hurt against the Jets back in
twenty twenty three. The speed rush, the bowl rush, the
speed to power, ability to rush off the edge or
from the three technique. Just a dominant player who's seen
his career essentially put on pause for the last one
(17:20):
and a half months. Can you count on that? I
think that's the question you have here. But knowing JP
personally and how he goes about his business, I would
be stunned if he does not refine the form that
he played at previously. It's just going to be about
keeping the body healthy. And again, these players are forgotten
about from a national perspective, Right, I'm guilty of this,
Like I forgotten about TODJ. Washington last year, Right. And
(17:43):
that's when you haven't made a play in the league,
becase you're a rookie. But when you get hurt, it's
easy to be forgotten about.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Man.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
But that's just what we do. We is in the
Royal We with injured players. But if JP gets back
and he becomes that fifteen sack potential player, dude, that
changes freaking everything. Because when you talk about this defensive
backfield and the you know, lack of name power within it,
you're worried about the defense. But it's like if you
if Jelen Phillips is on the same track that he
(18:09):
was when he got Hurgans the Jets, it changes the
entire equation. So I think that would go a long
way towards elevating the team. You can't count on it,
but you can you can see it's a possibility. And
we haven't even gotten to Chop Robinson yet, who I
think has rare traits and makes players. You know, that's
the traits that make players great. He's got them. Like
(18:32):
the getoff, the way he developed his bend ability around
the edge, his technique, his hands, giving himself outs to
strike guys, you know, to not strike his chest and
keep himself clean so he can rip around that corner.
And we barely began to scratch the surface on bringing
him over the football and the a gaps the way
Penn State did as a nosebacker. We started to see
it late in the year. But that's the strength of
(18:53):
Jordan Brooks, of Willie Gay. If you Fatum LaFond again,
interchangeable rush games for this defense upfront. I think that
Chop is poised to make a huge jump. I think
him and JP are both gonna have ten sacks this year.
Is that crazy? If they both play seventeen games, both
Chop and JP, you are gonna have ten sacks. Then
(19:14):
you have an interesting battle for the depth spots. And
this is where I kind of have an issue, or
not an issue, but a hard time sorting how it
might look. Quentin Bell, Mo Kamara, Cam Good and then
my favorite dark horse on the entire roster, And right
now I'm gonna slot him as the fourth come like
week number five.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
It might not happen right away. But it's Grayce and Murphy.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Murphy's gonna be a player in this league, okay, And
I would stake reputation points on that. He is so
dang good. He's so dang physical, and he gets hurt
on the first damn series of the preseason after having
a really good series in that game. His power, his rush, polish,
his length, his hand usage, there's a reason he was
getting pressures in sacks every damn day in camp last year,
(19:53):
so it seemed. And then I think Quentin Bell's a
really good fourth option there as well, because he can
be a base down guy. Maybe Murphy's more of your
rush in those situations, but Quinton does offer occasional rush.
He's got very good special teams ability, He's positioned diverse,
and hopefully he's pushed by all the other young guys
trying to make their first impact on this roster. And
(20:13):
I think that's a big theme on this year's team.
We talked about it before. There wasn't a ton of
unknown going into camp last year, and that's got its upside.
It's nice to know you've got you know ballers at
every spot, but I think having open competitions at some
spots and across a decent amount of your roster. Foster
is better football, and it also fosters an environment that
(20:34):
can prepare you for high leverage situations. As far as
the off ball linebackers go insidelnebackers, Jordan Brooks, Tyrrel Dotson,
Willie Gay kJ Britt. That's how I'd stack the top
four Channing Tendall, Da Kwan Jackson and Udfa Eugene Assante.
I am fired up about this group. Man our front
seven I think is really good. The questions are on
(20:54):
the back end and to bring it back to the
Mike McDonald tree, what have those teams traditionally? Remember the
Ravens really took off in twenty twenty three after a
slowish start and they capture the number one seed. Go
figure is when they acquired Roquwand Smith. I think Jordan
Brooks is our Roquan Smith, and you sorted to see
the national media catch on last year. There were some
(21:14):
folks talking about him as a dark horse all Pro
and I think you'll see that momentum carry into this year.
The leadership. You heard him talk about it last year.
Just sitting down with a guy for lunch and getting
to know your teammates, so you can anticipate how he'll
react in the heat of battle. Did I mention he's
an elite football player. He can mug up the a gaps,
He can camp in a traditional stack position and defend
(21:35):
the run in the past that way. I like him
as an overhang player where he kind of hangs off
the side of the formation, not stacked in the position,
and can either reroute, can cover the nickel, can go
to the curl flat and play the hook. It just
expands his ability to have multiple options, because if you're
playing the mic position, you're probably not gonna go get
the curl flat over there. You're probably not gonna cover
man coverage in the slot receiver. Like, there's multiple things
(21:56):
you can do from that position when you play that overhang.
I think the pieces we added really frees him up
to do more of that where he doesn't have to
take on blocks as much, which he can do, but
when he can roam free, he's a dangerous, dangerous player
where he can unlock that speed, He's terrific against the run.
He has exceptional range and coverage and the blitzing this
guy offers is perfect for this defense, and I feel
(22:19):
like the rest of the room compliments his skill sets
so well. Tyrel Dotson took on a leadership role down
the stretch last year, and he's been a big communicator
in the building the entire offseason. I think you saw
the way they prioritized him this offseason, and they sniffed
around Drake Greenlaw and that would be a big upgrade.
But Drake Greenlaw has injury issues and has an age.
You know, I think there are an age he's older.
I should say, of course he has an age. But
(22:42):
there was a certain price point. I don't think they're
willing to budge on, and you can see why because
he's already got an injury in Denver. But you saw
them pivot immediately after that price tag got too expensive
to Dotson and pay him a nice little chunk of money,
which to me tells you he's gonna play a lot
of football this year. And he has the playmaking chops too, right,
three picks last year tied for the team league, and
(23:02):
he has some big time play speed.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Speaking of play speed, you.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Heard me rave about Willy gay back in the Free
Agent podcast a couple months ago, two months ago. Already,
can you believe that I can't imagine a better jack
of all trades fit at the linebacker position for this
defense than Willy Gay. I think we've could unlock the
best year of his football career, and what he signed
for I don't get it, but I'll take it because
I think he's a great football player. And then with
(23:26):
kJ Britt, the way he processes the game, the physicality
he plays with he is the one who I think
allows you to move Brooks around in your base looks
because he can be your stack mike linebacker. You know,
I think first down three linebackers in the field Anthony
Walker role, he's in the middle, you get Gay or
Dodson with Brooks on the outside of that. I think
Brooks or Britt rather is better suited for that interior position.
(23:48):
Doesn't take false steps. He's really well studied and one
of the many, many, many parts that you can see
Miami making a concerted effort to get tougher, bigger, more physical, smarter.
We don't need to rehash every move, but he's the
closest player you have to a Landon Roberts since he
left for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
Was it Steelers? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (24:06):
This room has traditionally kept four to five players, so
if Tyndall, Jackson or Asante can impress, they'll usually expand
the linebacker room to keep to accommodate that many players.
But it's a fluid situation that could give way to
a defensive back to an edge rusher.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
We'll see what happens.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
But Tindall is a guy that kind of has to
kind of bring it up here towards the end to
get on the roster for the fourth straight year. Let's
go ahead and pause for our last break, come back
and do the defensive backfield and break this entire thing down.
That's Next Draft Time podcast, brought to you by Autnation.
The cornerback position, Well, the room is a little bit
(24:43):
uneven up top right now because we don't know what's
gonna happen once Gilan Ramsey, but he is still here,
so he is a top the list. Cater Kohu, Cam Smith,
Lardi Burns, Storm Duck, Jason Marshall Junior, Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson,
Jason Matrie, Bump Cooper Junior, and then two udfa's Brandon
Adams and Ethan Robinson. I think you have to operate
under the assumption that Ramsey won't be here again. We've
(25:05):
seen situations like this resolve themselves across the league, as
recently as Miles Garrett in Cleveland, but will operate under
the assumption that he's going to be traded, and that
leaves some questions going into camp at the position. I
thought one of the real calling cards of this defense
last year was having those three interchangeable cornerbacks who can
move around and excel from all three positions, thus giving
(25:25):
you the disguise of the pre snap presentation and the
ultimate mystery you provide your the opposing quarterback and your
own defense with that disguise and presentation. I thought cater Co,
who's played down the back half of twenty twenty four,
garnered a promotion in terms of his playing time. I
think he's equipped to play on the perimeter at this
point of his career and a good study on how
cornerbacks can evolve, because early in the year I thought
(25:48):
he really struggled in phase to expand his zones and
to play fast in those spots and anticipate, but all
of that got better. I think he's a very good
man cornerback that can match up all over the formation
and one of the tackling corners in the entire game.
If you want to throw a screen to Cato Coo,
who's get prepared for a loss of yardage and then
you get into the unproven. You know, Greer has talked
(26:08):
a lot about the need for cam Smith to step forward.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
This year.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
We saw Storm Duck play as a UDFA, threw some
ups and downs, and I thought there was some some
rough tape towards the end of the year. Ethan Bonner
had a promising rookie season, but we did not see
him at all last year. And I think there are
three dark horses in the room. Akin to what I
said about Grayson Murphy, Lardy Burns will be a hit
if big, if he's healthy. Hasn't played more than three
(26:32):
hundred snaps since twenty eighteen, so big, big if. But
the tape is good when he's been out there, especially
last year, and a Mike McDonald defense, maybe he gives you,
you know, a few games worth a good of good reps.
At the cornerback, I think Isaiah Johnson and if they
want to play more man this year, that's his calling card.
He's a big, long cornerback who didn't run very well,
probably why he didn't get drafted, but he is physical
(26:53):
as hell. And then Matre will play NFL snaps at
some point. I think both these guys will play NFL snaps.
Matree was fantas Hassick in camp last year. I thought
he had a chance to break the break camp with
the team, but I think there's a chance he could
do it this year. He could break camp and be
your slot cornerback. Don't sleep on him, Okay, Jason Matri
remember that name. I also think about Johnson randomly on
the back to back reps he had last year into
(27:15):
practice in the indoor facility when he completely clamped down
two end zone shots of Tyreek Hill with his length
and physicality now six' four or rather six' two versus. Five,
nine yeah it's a bit of, a mismatch but you
get that across the. LEAGUE sometimes i don't know a
Lot about cooper or the. Two udfas we'll go ahead
and keep an eye on those guys. In, OTAs ultimately
i hope we find a veteran. OUT there i thought
(27:35):
the older cornerback crop was something to stay away from,
early on but now with the potential Loss of ramsey.
To Me rasul douglas makes a bunch OF sense I Like.
Mike hilton i'm still intrigued By A. Sante samuel we
can talk about those guys more on a. Future episode
let's go ahead and conclude the defense here with the,
safety group and he Fought To, Melafon Wu, Ashton davis,
Patrick McMorris, Patrick McMorris we're gonna talk about him a.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Little Bit, Elijah.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Campbell Dante, Trader Junior, jordan Colbert And John. Saunders Junior
ifiamela fanwu is staying healthy away from being, a star
he is. So electric he has Excellent indicator he's excellent
at reading indicators and. Good words travis even better athleticism
(28:18):
to fire from a, back pedal to click and clothes to,
get downhill and the physicality to come down and take
on a full back in the. RUNNING game i also
think about his, play style all the blitzing. He offers
that was a non negotiable fine for them. This, offseason
again the Report's connecting Miami To, jeremy Chin To Nicky
man WORRY To. Jj roberts all three of these guys
they brought in for visits or that were they were
(28:39):
interested in a, free agency who were guys that have
temperature changing athletic ability and multiplicity to play across the
entire formation and blitz. The quarterback AND then i think
there's different play styles and competition all across. THIS room
i think you can say there's not really a true
safety one or maybe even two true. Safety twos you've
got some threes. In There But ashton davis's, best TAPE
(29:02):
and i would say he's a safety three is playing
the post or half field and quarter responsibilities where he
can camp back and just go find the football make
a play. On it eight picks over one thousand and
fifty defensive snaps in his career is a kind of a.
Crazy stat that's a full seasons worth of snaps and
eight picks in one year would be. Pretty remarkable if he,
found it he finds. The football if you want more
(29:24):
of a, Hitter Tackler, ROBERT rusher i Could see patrick
McMorris playing that route and this guy or, THAT role i,
should say and this guy keep an Eye on patrick.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
McMorris man he was all over the field.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
LAST year i went back and watched that preseason game
again where he was just making what you have like
ten tackles in, the game, downhill coverage reps everything as
college tape shows you some of.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
THAT too i think he was showing that in camp a.
Speaker 1 (29:45):
LITTLE bit i think he has potential to be, at
worst your big nickel and third safety who plays plenty
of reps in a variety of roles and still very
extremely intrigued by what he showed. Last year, and remember
this is a defense that can go, big nickel where
maybe your solution to that fifth defensive back spot is not,
a cornerback it's.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
A safety Maybe it's patrick.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
Mc Morris elijah campbell is a core special teamer who
can do some of the mc morris stuff. As well
and then we'll see about The. ROOKIE trader i think
he's got good instincts and knowledge for, the position if
not a. Great athlete And then Colbert AND saunders i
will see more about them. As Well but trader true
student of, the game and those guys can kind of
find their way onto the, field early especially in the
favor of a coaching staff that, prioritizes THAT which i
(30:27):
think this Year the Dolphins and intelligence are.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
Kind of two p's in.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
A pod it would not surprise me if we saw
a trader hit the ground running and get some early
love and camp from all the, GUYS there i would
feel really good about. This group if you just Dropped
In marcus Williams Or julian blackman into, the mix that
would change the entire Dynamic and i'd feel great about.
The group either way would be a massive upgrade on
twenty twenty four because it was terrible. Last year and then,
(30:52):
THE specialist i actually forgot that there's two partners on
the team. Right Now So ryan Stonehouse And Jake Bailey
jason sanders you're unheralded, kicking star And Then bleake ferguson
has competition this Year IN New Dfa, Kneeland hibbert stonehouse,
Booms them sanders was, dialed in And then blake last
year missed most of the season on the. Inactive list
defense as, A whole i think we're a couple of
(31:12):
pieces away in. The secondary we'll talk about that more,
later ON though i think their front seven has taken
a massive step in the. Right direction we'll see what
the secondary looks like on opening day compared. To NOW
but i, think you on balance have more Of a
weaver influenced defense than you had a. Year ago we
kind of broke this down in the, open already but
to put a bow on the roster resets what do?
Speaker 2 (31:31):
We do we Got bigger.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Number one we got guys that, love football who, prioritize
football and who are smart. Football players that's a big key,
this offseason especially on. THE offense i know that the
offensive staff wants guys that can pick it up right
away and get on the field and make. An impact
we got deeper. Number three this is a TEAM that
i think can handle injuries more than they have in.
The past and, number four we got more balanced. On offense.
WHAT remains i think it's safe to say they checked
(31:55):
off two of the biggest needs on the roster and
really leaves one area where there's. Some. UNKNOWN right i
get the, term holes and, YOU know i think it
can be applied incorrectly at times because holes or, you
know sometimes what you just have when you don't know the, guy's,
Names right like a Fan in nebraska who Doesn't watch
dolphins football is not gonna Know who patrick. McMorris is
(32:16):
what if he breaks out. This year it's why there's
always surprises in. This league, SO unproven i guess is
the best way to. Put IT and i would push
back at the safety POSITION because i do think That
if Emela fan wu is a starter if, he's healthy
but that's a, big IF and i Could Say, ashton davis,
you know maximized his Opportunities in patrick mc morris showed
you the potential to be a starter in this league
with his limited work. Last year and that's not to
(32:38):
mention that this again free agent safety class has a
ton of big names left And guys i'm very much
interested in looking at for. Next, year again We Signed
marcus may. Last year Was it june or Was? IT july,
i forget but there. You go that's the. Roster reset
we're gonna come Back. On wednesday i'll do the color
coordination board for. You guys we'll talk about some of
the udfas that popped, off tape and maybe take a
(32:58):
look AT the nfl dot com remaining free, agent list
just to get you guys ready and prime. For OTAs
we Have rookie minnie camps this weekend, as well so
we'll get our first look at some of these guys on.
The field but, until then you all please be, sure,
subscribe rate review, The show follow me on Social AT.
Wingfold nfl follow the Team At. Miami dolphins check out
The fish tank Podcast with Seth, and juice the YouTube Channel,
(33:20):
FOR dolphins hq, media availabilities drive, time content and so,
much more and last but, Not Least miami dolphins.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Dot com until, Next Time, Finns.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Up, Carolin Cameron Daddy's.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
Coming home
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