We should have seen this coming. Maybe not to this extreme, but we should have seen it coming.
Sometime months ago, when it became public things had gone awry between the Miami Dolphins and top cornerback Jalen Ramsey, a clear need developed for the defense – find a cornerback. While the search started in April with days one and two of the NFL Draft passing and no corner having been added to the Miami roster, that search continues today seemingly a new signing every other day, yet no clear solutions.
Also months ago – Miami brought in former Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas, who reportedly said no to the contract on the table. He remains unsigned, so clearly the Dolphins didn’t see value in budging and months before that, a it was a recent Miami player who suggested could be expected personnel-wise for the Miami defense.
HOLLAND IN MARCH
After signing a three-year, $45 million contract with the New York Giants, former Dolphins’ safety Jevon Holland was on the Breakin’ House Rules podcast he appeared on throughout the season. He talked about his process in free agency and it seemed like he wanted to stay in Miami, but the Dolphins would not come close to what he received monetarily in New York.
He suggested the lack of value Miami may have placed on him was more on what they place on the position and moreover, what they want to do as a defense.
“The thought process is to build from the bottom up, so like the D-line, the linebackers and then the safeties.” – Jevon Holland on Miami’s defense
“I would say the scheme for the safeties is (the) umbrella thought process? Like keep everything in front of you,” said Holland. “When you look at the Ravens and how they were built — because it’s kind of like a Ravens scheme … their front is where they make the bread. The front and the front seven. If their safety or the corner is good, then their defense is even better. The thought process is to build from the bottom up, so like the D-line, the linebackers and then the safeties.”
And even as the team has gone through training camp and the need at cornerback is clear, it continues to search the relative bargain bin for answers. Fact is, there are no real answers left out there anyway.
Head coach Mike McDaniel preaches in his media sessions that the young defensive backs continue their growth and suggests the team is going to stick with them.
The maturation occurs for some players in the form of finding their respective best place to play, a la Jason Marshall Jr., who has moved inside to a slot/nickel role.
STRENGTH UPON STRENGTH UPON STRENGTH
But while the Dolphins did load up on the defensive line in the draft, it has continued its search at cornerback by adding even more to the strength of the defense instead of its weakness.
Matthew Judon was signed to a one-year, $6 million contract earlier this week. Not a king’s ransom and not an earth-shattering deal.
Nevertheless, Judon can still play and what’s coming to fruition in terms of a nice defensive tackle rotation with stalwart Zach Sieler joined by Benito Jones, Kenneth Grant and what appears to be a player-on-the-rise in fifth round pick Jordan Phillips. Zeek Biggers doesn’t look so much ready to take on a lot of reps inside, but he has showed promise as a large end and the assumption here is that he’s made the roster.
Judon gives the team an insurance policy for Phillips and Chubb at its area of strength, while also giving the defensive line another dimension. Even last year with the Falcons, Judon showed the ridiculous strength in his hands along with his bend and finishing ability of old, even if the burst is a tad diminished (though not much in short spurts).
Make him a complimentary piece and think about what he could do. Take a look at the 2024 Falcons depth chart below and its front seven a week before Judon joined them last year. In Miami, he won’t have to be the guy like he was clearly expected to be in Atlanta, just one of the guys.
Add to the front line a slew of linebackers that is among the most competitive and versatile group on the team, and Miami has built exactly what Holland predicted.
SUGGESTIONS OF A SCHEME ON PRESEASON TAPE
When defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver had starters played in the first preseason game against the Bears, Miami often showed a look it’s safe to anticipate this season – a challenging front at the line of scrimmage on first downs for opposing offenses.
And this is where all of the talent in the front seven can become a problem.
The recent addition of edge rusher Judon may have seemed a bit gluttonous, but it also means there will be no letup for the opposing offensive line.
Have your way with Bradley Chubb? Okay, let’s see how you do with the length/speed/power combination of Jaelan Phillips. Phillips is no problem? Alright, here comes the speed and explosion of Chop Robinson. Chop’s not strong enough? Fine, here’s Judon at 275 pounds with meat hooks for arms to deal with.
You get the picture. Regardless of where they are, the goal is to make the pressure seem endless.
CREATING CHAOS
There’s something else that Weaver has shown in the preseason. He likes to walk people up to the line, show blitz, bring blitz, fall back and all of the above. It’s part of what they love about the burst of a guy like Chop Robinson who could bring it over center just as easily as from the edge.
Old/new safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will certainly come from safety at times, but the defense has also shown inside linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Willie Gay Jr. come from different angles and the slot corners in particular threaten blitz a good deal as they play up on receivers.
And Miami is doing that throughout the game this preseason, even as late as the fourth quarter as they did countless times with CB Ethan Robinson against both the Bears and Lions. Ironically, it’s the jettisoned-Ramsey who first took on this role last year.
Moving Marshall Jr. inside could be a coup that once again plays into the hands of the Dolphins wanting to create uncertainty.
At 6-0, 205, Marshall is beefy and he’s fast. He showed good blitzing skills from the outside in college. Expect him not only to improve coverage-wise playing inside with more of the play in front of him, but also expect the possibility that he becomes one of Weaver’s blitzing wild cards along with the safeties and backers. If he competes with Mike Hilton, he will likely be serving in a similar role as what Hilton has done throughout his career – a nickel banger.
The Dolphins edge rushers and new push up the middle would have caused offenses problems anyway. The lack of certainty at corner and the overwhelming supply of talent in the front seven now make it so just calling out the “Mike” linebacker is nice, but it won’t be enough to figure out protections anymore.
WHAT THE CHAOS BRINGS – THE METRICS
The NFL average passer rating is 96.7 with 7.4 yards per attempt when a quarterback has a clean pocket, compared to a 67.1 rating and 6.0 avg. when the QB is under pressure.
The NFL average catchable throw rate from a clean pocket is 79.4%, compared to just 60.5% when pressured. There is also a corresponding jump in off-target throw rate, with passers missing on 14.7% of their passes from a clean pocket vs. 20.8% of the time when they’re pressured.
What this all says is that, despite the cornerback of the future currently residing on a college roster awaiting to play their final “amateur” season, the Miami Dolphins plan on getting it done in 2025 by creating havoc and forcing opposing quarterbacks into bad decisions. They will show fronts on early downs with the plan on making 2nd and 3rd down longer and thus, the situation more predictable (pass).
No, some magical fairy dust isn’t going to fall from the sky and create a cornerback any better than who the Dolphins currently have. Making them cover their receivers less time while hopefully creating offensive mistakes, however, will not only give the team a viable opportunity at staying competitive, but also lay the roadmap for the future on the defensive side of the ball.
Aqua & Coral Report 