The Miami Dolphins just wrapped up organized team activities and minicamp practices for the 2019 offseason. Although no pads were donned and no contact was made, certain things stood out to anyone who was in attendance.
Offseason practices are a good time for teams, especially those with new coaching staff, to learn their playbooks and get familiar with each other. Rookies get their first taste of life in the National Football League and veterans get to shake off their rust, or birthday cake binges. Below are three topics that stood out the most to me.
“Fitzmagic” touch
Ryan Fitzpatrick has played for eight NFL teams over his 15-year career. His most recent stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned him the nickname Ryan “Fitzmagic” from his teammates after his incredible start to the season. Miami signed Fitzpatrick to a two-year contract worth up to $11 million this offseason, adding a veteran presence to an otherwise young quarterback room.
According to early reports from OTA’s, Fitzpatrick has burned off his birthday cake belly and gotten the best of his competition, Josh Rosen, by a big margin. The Dolphins traded the 62nd pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to acquire Rosen from the Arizona Cardinals, and he will compete for the starting job in Miami. Seeing how new head coach Brian Flores has no horse in this race, all indications point to the best man earning the job.
If Fitzpatrick continues to outperform Rosen throughout the offseason and pre-season, he will undoubtedly be the starting QB against the Baltimore Ravens come week one. If this is the case, will Miami fans get the Fitzmagic that Buccaneer fans witnessed in the first three games of 2018? Or will they get the QB from weeks eight to ten? The one who threw four touchdowns to seven interceptions with a rating of just 73?
Diamond in the rough
Ask just about anyone who watched Dolphins offseason practices who stood out the most to them and the answer will most likely be unanimous, Preston Williams. Williams, the undrafted wide receiver out of Colorado State has been turning heads since day one with his knack for making plays.
Standing at 6-4 and weighing 211 pounds, Williams looks the part of a starting NFL receiver. If he can stay out of trouble and continue to make plays into training camp when the pads come on, I would expect him to compete with DeVante Parker for the role of big-bodied receiver.
With Parker’s injury history, it would be wise for Miami to keep a player with a similar skill set on the roster for when he inevitably misses some playing time. If Williams contributes any meaningful minutes or stats this year, it would be a significant win for Miami and a good step in the right direction.
Where’s Reshad Jones?
Almost everyone was present for Dolphins OTA’s and minicamp, everyone except two-time Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones. Jones, who has been a staple on this defense for the past nine seasons, didn’t show up to any of the Dolphin’s voluntary practices this offseason. Although he and coach Flores brushed it aside as no big deal, there is tension between the two parties.
The Dolphins are in a rebuilding phase and pushing forward with a youth movement, which eliminates Jones from Miami’s long-term plans. Jones has been the subject of trade talks since the season ended. However, between his $17.1 million cap and 31-year old injury riddled body, he is a difficult sell to other teams.
If Jones is on the roster for the 2019 season, expect him to perform as he has in previous years. When healthy, he’s one of the best safeties in the NFL and would pair nicely with Minkah Fitzpatrick in the defensive backfield.
What’s to come?
Offseason workouts are never a perfect insight into how things will play out in the season, but they do give a good idea and starting point. When training camp begins, pads come on, and guys have more time to study the playbooks, many of these storylines can change. It’ll be interesting to see how these stories play out once the lights come on.