What we learned at 5 key positions in Dolphins vs Commanders
From the QB room to the trenches, five position battles took shape in Miami's preseason opener — here's what stood out, for better and worse
by Zachary Jarrett
1. QB Depth: Being brief, there will be changes either now, during, or at the end of the year at QB. It was disappointing, but clear, that depth at this spot is not there. I did not see any good standouts on other teams so far, but I am sure the front office are watching players, also EVERY SINGLE PUNDIT WILL TELL IT TO YOU, SO HOW GREAT!!!!
2. DE/EDGE Depth: This is not as clear, but has shown itself already, the depth at getting to the QB is abysmal. It can be frustrating because this is an area that was not highly drafted by the new FO; I do not think they will go after someone during the year. This will be a drafted position so expect us to go after the top prospects.
Okay, so far, these two positions won’t surprise any avid fan who watched the whole game and the breakdowns, and even the all 22. I do expect the next three and the ones I leave off will make the controversy.
3. S High/Depth: I remember an interview where Coach Hafley said he “runs the defense through the safeties” I love who Dante Trader is and his ability, Micheal Taffe will surprise some, but the high end talent just isn’t there, I expect the FO to do
some more adding to this position but also expect us to draft this position next year ON THE BACK END of the draft.
4. TE High/Depth: This position is becoming a more prominent position. This does rely on if Dulcich doesn’t show himself to be a talent, when I believe he should, and Will Kacmarek shows he has brick hands. I fully believe that if those things happen this year it will be a revolving door. The depth here is not great, so they should grab someone this year for insurance. It should not surprise you but again a highly drafted position for next year is my belief, and the IF is why this position is on here.
5. OL Depth: This is another year you will read OL, but specifically the depth here is concerning, the starting 5 looked completely good (way better than last year is my prediction,) the 6th OL looks like Caeden Wallace, we hoped the 7th could be Jamaree Salyer but he is gone for the season, and remember we do have Austin 60% of the year Jackson, so who becomes 7th & 8th OL this will extremely important. All in all, this is an issue, but one that truly does not affect the top 5 until what happens with Austin 60% of the year Jackson goes down.
There you have it, my opinions on the five positions we need/want/will make better sometime this year and draft highly or all together next. I hear it now, you will say to me Zach, you are a doofus, you left out the WR room, it’s so trash it makes trash look good, or maybe you say, Zach, the room doesn’t have big name talent to help us know if Malik can be a star at QB, and to that I say. Realize, the new FO doesn’t give a poop what we think; they came from a place where they did not draft a WR in the first round for 23 years. They do not believe WR is important until it becomes important, do I disagree? A little, but trends show themselves, and this will show itself.
Then you say Zach you left off CB you idiot or you say Zach the high and the lows of the CB room are so bad that DeAndre Hopkins will come off the couch as a Jet and kill us, to which I say DeAndre is an OG and I hope he would do that; they will
make this rooms floor better and probably draft this position high, but we have 11 players in this room and I fully believe that with who Coach has explained and showed himself to/want to be his footprint with 8 of those players will cause this to
be a draft only and not a free agent room.
All in all, the FO has been clear when they say “we build through the draft and supplement through FA,” which will take a year for the fans to understand what that looks like and means, they also said, “We will develop players, and pay
homegrown talent.” This statement means more than fans and the talking heads understand, it means they will not just go grab the best player on the trading block, or trade a first rounder for another player, or make a blockbuster trade with a young
player for an older player like the old regime.
What we are about to see is a (for lack of a better term) sink or swim with these players for the year. Coaching will be tested with how well they can develop talent and scheme the players to victory, this entire team and year will be more different than any year us young fans have seen, similar to 2019 sure, but this FO will not do what the 2020 FO did. Keep this in mind when you watch this year; the process/development and winning correctly are more important than having a year with sloppy football and surprise winning.
