Myles Gaskin

Myles Gaskin: Dolphins Weapon X in the Passing Game

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The Miami Dolphins have a ton of pass catching options on the current roster.

Perhaps too many.

However in today’s NFL, attrition and competition usually thin the herd. The Miami Dolphins offense now possesses newly energetic play calling and a quarterback trending towards high expectations. Some say a quarterback’s best friend is a solid running game. A solid running back who can move the chains through the air might be his best man.

That’s where Myles Gaskin comes in.

Myles Gaskin: Not just a check down guy

The first play on the clip above is a quick three-step drop from Tua Tagovailoa, who is going to Myles Gaskin right away. Then Gaskin quickly turns up the field and scampers untouched for a huge gain, looking effortless in the process.

On this next clip, the pocket breaks down around Tagovailoa, but there is no panic. He steps up and buys time, while Gaskin stacks the linebacker like a receiver would on a corner. One quick 90-degree move later, it’s a house call for Gaskin as he scores the touchdown.

Gaskin tied for the team lead with four receptions Saturday against Atlanta.

Last season while appearing in just 10 games, Gaskin caught 41 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns.

With a more featured role this season, he should easily surpass those numbers.

A lot of people critiqued the Dolphins for not taking a running back high in the last two drafts. Maybe the organization simply feels they already have a true number one running back in Myles Gaskin, who can hurt teams on any down. It should be interesting to see the running back rotation and how their skill sets are used.

Like Liam Neeson, Myles Gaskin has a very unique set of skills.

Those skills should be put to the test often this upcoming season.

 

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Eric Rowe admits Chan Gailey’s offense “really wouldn’t let Tua show his arm”

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For much of the offseason, a civil war has broken out amongst #DolphinsTwitter.

Some believed that Tua was handed the raw end of the stick, being tied to a 68-year old offensive coordinator. Others believed that was an excuse. “iF a 17 yEar vEt lIkE rYaN FiTzpAtRiCk cAN dO it, So CAn a RoOkIe” some old head on Facebook probably said.

Many see the flaw in that. But we won’t make excuses.

Nevertheless, there has been this narrative since the beginning of days that Ryan Fitzpatrick had a different playbook than Tua Tagovailoa. Or at the very least, he was handcuffed by Chan Gailey—who admitted he burned all of his old football stuff to start over fresh. (That’s like me opening a restaurant or getting a food truck but beforehand nuking every recipe I know. Hell, I have a goldfish brain and I’d probably remember most of my memories. Did Chan?)

Today, Dolphins safety Eric Rowe basically confirmed what many of us already believed. And that is that last year’s offense was as vanilla as those gross wafers you can buy at the grocery store.

Now there will still be folks that believe Tua Tagovailoa was an utter failure a season ago. I tend to understand he wasn’t perfect. It was this year that was always going to show what quarterback the Dolphins truly had under center. And early on, I think we’ve seen a different player than what we did a season ago.

Tua Tagovailoa is heating up like Larry Johnson in the OG NBA Jam

Through one week, without pads, Tua Tagovailoa has looked #moneymoneydingdong. He’s looked decisive, accurate, and has displayed a big-a$$ rifle for an arm connecting on one big play after another. Tuscaloosa Tagovailoa as some may call him.

And he’s been doing it with a variety of different receivers.

Most impressive, The Samoan Southpaw hasn’t thrown an interception since last Wednesday and continues to get better and better. Like a nice bourbon barrel stout.

Now the real test is tomorrow when teams put the pads on for the first time.

Chan Gailey is gone and the handcuffs have been removed. It’s now time for Tua Tagovailoa, and his new arsenal of weaponry, to go out there and light the sky on fire.

“Siri, play Outkast: Bombs over Baghdad”

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Miami Dolphins Camp Notes Day 5 (Tua, Hollins, Needham, more)

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This is day 5 of camp, and day 2 of fans in the stands, but the news was made before this practice started as Head Coach Brian Flores offered some optimism on Xavien Howard by commenting that “Contract talks are going in the right direction.” So there is that. There was also a loud “We love Howard” chant that emanated from the stands today, so we know where this whole saga stands with the fans.

Tua Tagovailoa. This is what you call a “strong camp”, so far. He has full mastery of the playbook it seems, and his decisiveness is noticeable. The offense is also much more aggressive and resembles a Dolphins pass offense from 1994, hunting big plays, taking shots, and putting constant pressure on the safeties. There is a deep element on almost every play, and all the safety valves are threatening (Waddle crossers, Jakeem drags, etc.). Tua had another big day statistically, as he grabbed TD’s on every Red Zone Install portion. Tua is coming off his first read, and whipping it to all levels. It’s now been several days of this, so this must be a feature, not a bug. His confidence is in full display each and every practice.

Nik Needham. This is a guy to watch. Nik Needham is quietly putting together a very good camp and has several impressive 1v1 snaps versus Jaylen Waddle in 6v8 drills. That alone is impressive. With the absence of Xavien Howard, Needham has been pressed into duty at several positions, and he is showing a strong leg up on the on going battle at slot corner. We have an early favorite for the Nickel guy, and it’s Needham as the slot corner. His technique is not only solid, but he seems leaner, longer as an athlete. Good start to camp.

Mack Hollins. Mack Hollins is not only finding the end zone often in red Zone install, he is putting some good reps together in 11v11 as well. Hollins had an impressive inside release on the goal line and caught a TD versus 1st team zone coverage, he then beat Byron Jones on an RPO. Hollins on this day, found himself lined up everywhere, including some reps at where you might find Mike Gesicki who is out due to the Covid protocol. He gets my Practice MVP today due to the sheer volume of plays, and his consistency across the board while being asked to do plenty.

 

 

 

Solomon Kindley. The starting offensive line as of now is (from left to right) Austin Jackson, Liam Eichenberg, Michael Dieter, Robert Hunt, Jesse Davis. Kindley is finding himself on the 2nd and 3rd units as the LG, and RG. He does however have a saving grace. Pads have not come on yet. They do go on Tuesday (Tomorrow). Once that happens, we can begin to talk about depth charts, and doghouses. But for now, Matt Skura has a battle at center on his hands, and Kindley has lost snaps to Liam Eichenberg.

Defensive Line rotation. This has taken shape. The edge rotation is essentially set. It’s Emmanuel Ogbah working strong side duty with several guys spelling him, while Andrew Van Ginkel and Jaelen Phillips work the weak side. On the Phillips front, he did not practice, but there was no noticeable physical issue and he was not wearing any protective padding as he watched practice. Adam Butler floats from 3 tech to 5 tech on several fronts, but the 6 to 9 rush belongs to the Ogbah, AVG, Phillips group.

Practice MVP: Mack Hollins
Struggled: Matt Skura (hello, competition)

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Miami Dolphins Camp Notes Day 2 (Tua stars, Griffin, X, more)

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Day 3 of camp, and the intrigue has just begun. Xavien Howard stretches,then leaves the field. Then returns. Then is seen all smiles with Jason McCourty. Then watches practice. Does a little coaching. Then it is revealed he has a “minor” injury. Exhausting. Moving On!

Tua Tagovailoa. This was a good day. A Strike to Gesicki in traffic, a well placed wheel route for Savon Ahmed for a huge play. Another 65 yard touchdown on a deep corner route to Albert Wilson. Tua Tagovailoa was really sharp today. His Red Zone install work was also very good with very few negative plays. He had very good chemistry with Myles Gaskin on option routes, and those two were a terror near the goal line. This was likely his best practice of the last two training camps.

Byron Jones. Tua Tagovailoa tested Jones on a 9 route with Jaylen Waddle,and the ball was on the money. But so was Byron. Pass break up. With McCourty floating around different units, and Xavien Howard being wherever Xavien Howard is, Byron Jones exhibited great leadership on the field on this day. His play was also a standout on a day where the offense seemed to have a step on the defense. How quickly people forget that at the time of signing, most football people thought Byron Jones was a better cornerback than Howard. He might have to prove that once again.

Albert Wilson. Ok, I might have been wrong. Any thoughts/takes about Albert Wilson possibly being cut are quickly evaporating. With the absence of DeVante Parker (PUP, but he was out there today), and whatever physical issue Will Fuller is dealing with, it has been Albert Wilson, Allen Hurns, and rookie Jaylen Waddle to the rescue. Albert Wilson has also started a streak. Wilson has consecutive practices with 65 yard touchdowns on deep routes. Today’s on a deep corner route, that he ran in for a TD and then emphatically spiked the ball. Tua and Albert have a connection early on, and it doesn’t look like it will go away anytime soon. Oh, did I mention, he almost had two 60+ yard TD’s today?

 

Shaquem Griffin. What a breath of fresh air. Huge smile, giddy while answering questions, and will crack a joke or two. His availability with the media was a hit today, but his play is getting notice. He plays fast, fires off the edge like a shot, and has shown an ability to get into his zone in pass coverage with the kind of ease that only Jerome Baker usually displays. He looks the complete football player, they will find a role for. Some good special teams play in the preseason could land him a roster spot, as Griffin has a very useful look to him. Arrow up. Excited to see him in pads come Tuesday.

Mike Gesicki. Enough with Hunter Long already. Maybe Mike Gesicki feels the same way? He sure showed up today, stretching the field deep down the middle, hauling in a tight pass from Tua Tagovailoa for a big gain. He also made a good attempt on another pass where Tua led him too much toward the boundary. Gesicki was looking dangerous today, and reminded all, that he won’t lose his grip on targets anytime soon. Big standout day for Mike. After practice, he also took some extra work on the Juggs machine, as he caught 50 balls from each side (left, right). Welcome to training camp Mike Gesicki.

Practice MVP: Tua Tagovailoa
Struggled: WR Unit (health)

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Xavien Howard reported to Miami Dolphins training camp but his contract demands remain unresolved.

Pressure Point: Miami Dolphins prepare for vital season amid Howard, Watson rumors

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Mission accomplished for the Miami Dolphins on Day 1 of training camp in preparation for a season of staggering expectations in South Florida.

All the draft picks are signed. Everyone reported.

That was no small accomplishment given all the hand wringing about whether their best player, disgruntled All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard, would show up. And whether he’d be traded.

Howard checked in on time.

Even making mega-millions, who wants to get docked $50,000 a day? Howard wants to make mega-more, not less.

Later, Howard posted on social media that he is unhappy with the Dolphins and has asked to be traded.

Makes sense for Howard to show up, learn his way around the new Baptist Health Training Complex adjacent to Hard Rock Stadium and let his agent hash out his contract situation with Dolphins GM Chris Grier.

“We’re excited to work with X and all the players that are here,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said Tuesday morning. “Those conversations, his representation, Chris, myself, those like always are going to be internal, confidential and we’ll keep it that way for all players. We’re excited to have him, I’m excited to work with him. He’s a great player.”

All draft picks signed

The other thing Flores said of note on reporting day was that second-round pick Liam Eichenberg has signed his rookie contract. Eichenberg, who will vie for a starting role at tackle, was the last of the 2021 draft picks to do so. Tight end Hunter Long, a third-round pick, entered the fold one day earlier.

Although the Howard issue is far from resolved, his presence did provide a diversion from the Deshaun Watson speculation. At least for a moment.

The Dolphins have once again been linked to interest in the controversial Texans quarterback following reports that Houston is now willing to trade him — provided they get a king’s ransom in return.

Watson, like Howard, reported to camp this week to avoid daily fines comparable to a year’s pay for many wage earners.

There is a significant difference in the considerations of trading for these two star players. There are now 10 women who have filed criminal complaints against Watson. Eight of them are among 22 women who have alleged in lawsuits that Watson sexually assaulted them or engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior during massage sessions, his attorney told ESPN.

Did we mention that despite the legal obstacles to Watson’s future, the Texans are reportedly seeking as many as three first-round draft choices as part of a total package of five high draft picks or starting-caliber players? Such is the rumor.

That there is evidence of interest by the Dolphins in Watson despite the steep price and legal questions shows how vital Flores, Grier and the rest of the team’s leadership regards this season.

Five questions for Miami Dolphins training camp

Front office under pressure

One way to look at that is with excitement for Dolfans that management is motivated to do whatever it takes to improve on a 10-6 season and not only get to the playoffs but to contend for a Super Bowl. No small objective in a division chasing a bonafide championship contender in the Buffalo Bills and the New England Belichicks who spent heavily in the offseason to reverse a post-Brady flop.

In my view, there’s too much risk with Watson. Can’t argue the talent, though.

Obviously, Dolphins’ interest in Watson, if genuine, reflects on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has so much to prove in season two and every reason do so: another year removed from that major hip injury, a full offseason immersed in an offensive system now focused on him and a much speedier receiving corps to target.

So the questions surrounding the Dolphins going into training camp will center on Tua and how he meshes with new receivers Jaylen Waddle (first-round draft pick from Alabama) and Will Fuller (veteran deep threat who played with Watson in Houston) while rumors of possible comings and goings of Howard and Watson swirl around.

But there is a lot more to watch as this Dolphins team takes shape in the preseason, as there is so much that goes into lifting a team to an elite level.
Is the talent on this Dolphins roster enough to achieve that?

A lot of attention will be paid to 2021 first-round picks Waddle and Jaelan Phillips, the buffed former Miami Hurricanes’ pass rusher, as well as Eichenberg and Long for immediate contributions.

High draft picks must deliver

Previous draft classes need to up the ante as well. Not only Tagovailoa, but offensive linemen Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt and Solomon Kindley need to improve on rookie potential while Noah Igbinoghene, Raekwon Davis and Brandon Jones must do likewise on defense.

Meanwhile, Christian Wilkins, Myles Gaskin and Andrew Van Ginkel, in their third seasons, and Mike Gesicki and Jerome Baker in their fourth, should be moving into their prime as major players.

This is the progression and these are the players Flores and Grier have staked their jobs on.

It’s easy to see why all options are on the table that might help this franchise break through the glass ceiling hanging over it for two decades.
They haven’t won a playoff game since the 2001 season. Owner Stephen Ross is 81.

There’s no more time to waste.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns

Dolphins schedule

THE EXTRA YARD: 5 Questions for Miami Dolphins Training Camp

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As Training Camp starts, we finally get some answers to the questions that have built up over the offseason. While we had an idea, we didn’t have a real firm grasp on what to expect, once real football arrived. I take a deeper dive into the 5 most intriguing questions, we are seeking answers too during training camp.

How has the Offensive Line settled?

They drafted Liam Eichenberg. They moved 2nd year man Robert Hunt to right guard. They signed Matt Skura as the starter at center. DJ Fluker is in great shape, after coming off a couple of well above par NFL seasons. They return two promising 2nd year players in Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley. How does this all mesh? You gotta figure Jackson starts at LT. Hunt at RG. Skura at C. RT and LG is up for grabs and all three players (Eichenberg, Fluker, Kindley) can play either. This is before mentioning that Jesse Davis is still here, and does have a shot at grabbing one of these spots. This is the most intriguing battle of training camp, and could prove one of the most important factors to winning.

How do they use Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller?

Is it as simple as one is a diagonal threat, and the other a vertical threat? Is Waddle used as a HB more, does he begin to take Jakeem Grant’s jet sweeps, reverses, design passes? Does Will Fuller build on his elite 2020 season? All good questions, but you have to think the acquisition of both was to fill the design of what will be a new passing game, complete with real “roles” for all involved including DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson. My strong guess is that this will be a much more fluid and fast offense, with more switch releases, crossers/drags, with shot plays built in with every pass play.

What kind of command does Tua Tagovailoa have of the offense?

How quick is he in the huddle? Is he decisive within the offense. Does he take the deep shots when there? Most importantly, I want to see how he reacts to certain coverages, and how he processes checks when teams blitz him (which they will). His play in camp, as well as his dress rehearsals in the preseason will give us some answers in short order. I think the Dolphins will build in some two level concepts (one window, one lane, two routes, one medium, one long) as Tua did excel with those at times last season. The amount of RPO’s they call will also be interesting.

What does the rotation at defensive end look like?

The Miami Dolphins don’t have traditional “defensive ends” as most teams. They have guys to fill roles from 6 to 9 tech, as the Tackles tend to play everywhere from 0 tech, to 3 tech, to head up on the tackles as a 5 tech. What is usually fluid, is who rushes outside in their scheme, and who gets the duty outside on the rush on their multiple fronts. Emmanuel Ogbah, Jaelen Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel, Vince Biegel, with some Jerome Baker thrown in, figure as players in these roles. Who gets the snaps? Who is more effective? Strong indication, that Phillips and Ogbah have the inside track, with AVG as the situational guy on 3rd downs, as Van Ginkel could be executing A Gap blitzes along with Baker.

Who, plays where, in the secondary?

We know who plays the boundary (Howard/Jones). At slot corner, you have options everywhere, including using Byron Jones who has excelled as a slot corner in the past. In fact, Byron Jones has also played Free Safety effectively, so the versatility is there. Nik Needham, Justin Coleman, have a legitimate battle there, and it seems the loser of that battle figures in dime coverages. At safety, you have to figure Eric Rowe sticks, but who plays in the 3 safety looks? Highly touted rookie Jevon Holland, has to have a role, and Brandon Jones figures to play a lot in 2021. Then, what are Jason McCourty, and 2nd year man Noah Igbinoghene doing? This is a talent laden group, and the clear strength of the team. It’s worth watching how this shakes out.

Well, we finally made it, and all these questions from the offseason, begin to get answers in the coming days, weeks, months.

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

 

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Can Mike Gesicki be a Top Five TE This Season?

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All eyes will be on Tua, but will his lock on Mike Gesicki this season?

 

Entering a crucial fourth year, Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki looks to take the leap into the discussion as one of the game’s best.

So what will it take to get there?

In order to gain some perspective, a comparison to the best current NFL tight ends seemed like a nice place to start

Travis Kelce and now Darren Waller have emerged as the top two tight ends, with George Kittle still right there after an abbreviated season due to injury.

What Waller and Kelce have in common is an enormous target share, as both posted nearly identical numbers.

Waller led all NFL tight ends with 146 targets in 2020, with Kelce just behind him at 145.

The next highest tight end targeted was Logan Thomas with 110, while just two others broke 100 targets -Evan Engram (109) and  T.J Hockenson (101).

Targets are just one part of the equation, what you do with them matters.

Kelce and Waller both hauled in over 72% of their targets in 2020, while Gesicki caught slightly over 62% of his.

Many factors contribute to this, whether it be different quarterbacks throughout the year or execution in other areas.

Nonetheless, there is plenty of room for improvement.

 

Let’s run some numbers.

Say Gesicki can accumulate 100 targets and improve his catch percentage even slightly to 68%.

That sets a floor of 68 receptions, which would be 15 more than Gesicki had in 2020.

Where Gesicki has already shown a high ceiling in comparison to other tight ends is in yards-per-reception.

Last year Gesicki ranked third among tight ends with 13.3 yards-per-reception, ahead of Waller (11.2) and Kelce (13.1).

With 68 receptions and at the same yards-per-reception, that would put Gesicki over 900 yards receiving.

Now with a 17-game slate, this seems even more attainable.

Gesicki tied for fifth among tight ends with six touchdowns, averaging one about every nine receptions.

Increased targets and improved catch percentage could see him at eight or even nine scores in 2021.

A stat line of 68/900/8 would all have been top five marks in the NFL last year.

Add an improved quarterback and more deep threats in Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller, Gesicki sits as a prime candidate for a breakout season.

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Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes: Don Chaney Jr. poised to build off strong end to 2020

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When you look at the Miami Hurricanes roster, they have a collection of talented running backs. Some are more talented than others. Some also have more experience than others. With five in total, one name I would pay attention to is Don Chaney Jr.

He was not the main back in the Miami rushing attack last year. Rather, he played in spurts, and played well. Jaylan Knighton and Cam’Ron Harris made up the bulk of the Miami rushing attack last year, leading Chaney to hardly see any action. Even still, he was able to shine towards the end of the year.

Take the contest against Duke on December 5. In that game, he recorded nine carries for 62 yards. A couple weeks later, he provided strong production in the Cheez-It Bowl. He recorded six carries for 50 yards including a 27-yard rush that was his longest of the evening. He was a bright spot in what was a dismal game overall.

In that game, he was able to put this full skillset on display. He ran hard, and he ran physically. Those two traits in particular were things that were missing from the Miami rushing attack for a good portion of last season. He also hit the holes hard ,and it was not afraid to bear all over defenders when he needed to.  With his performance in that game, he gave a potential preview what could be coming down the road.

His good end to last season is only one reason to be excited about his potential heading into 2021. The other reason is his impressive numbers in the weight room. Chaney told the media his squat was to 555 pounds, and his benchpress was up to 315 pounds. Those numbers are certainly not too shabby.

Between his good performance at the end of last season and work Chaney has put in this off-season, I see him having a breakout year. He could be a key piece for a Miami Hurricanes rushing attack that ranked seventh overall in the ACC in 2020. That number is not too shabby, but it’s one that can certainly be improved upon. Chaney could bring stability to that portion of the offense.

Chaney figures to be high on the depth chart for Miami in 2021, so he will have opportunities to prove himself. If he can show the same tenacity and physicality that he did at the end of last season, the starting running back job could be his for the taking  sooner rather than later.

 

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Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes: Demarcus Van Dyke gaining momentum with Shemar Stewart looming

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Th. Miami Hurricanes have started to see some commitments trickle in over the past couple of days, and they are still very much in play for some of others. One of those players is 2022 five-star defensive end Shemar Stewart.

Stewart is the seventh overall defensive end in his class, and the second overall player in his class from the state of Florida per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

It’s worth noting that Miami is recruiting him via cornerbacks coach Demarcus Van Dyke as the primary recruiter. Van Dyke is on a little bit of a momentum swing as of late. He got cornerback Khamauri Rogers to commit on June 19.  He  also received a commitment from cornerback Chris Graves on July 9. In doing so, Miami has silently he can to put together an extremely strong group of corners.

This is certainly encouraging because corner has been a position that the Miami Hurricanes have struggled to recruit over the past couple of seasons. Now it is going to be a position of strength, assuming Miami develops them properly

This could bode well for Shemar Stewart

There have been a couple of developments over the past couple of days that have put Stewart a little bit into focus for Miami. For one,  Josh Newberg of 247Sports put in a “high confidence” score for Stewart in his Crystal Ball prediction on July 11. Andrew Ivins and Steve Wiltfong both have put in Crystal Balls for Miami as well, but they are “low confidence” scores. The newest Crystal Ball could be a telling sign.

Secondly, there is no denying that Van Dyke has generated a little bit personal momentum on the recruiting trail. I truly believe that this could work in Miami’s favor. One could argue that Miami received two commitments at corner because that was a position of need.

However, there is always a recruiting pitch that coaches tell recruits. Van Dyke’s seems to be working.  This could be another opportunity for him to strike while the proverbial iron is hot.

It will be interesting to see the correlation between Van Dyke’s success and Stewart’s recruiting process. It could be extremely evident, or it could not play a factor at all.

If Van Dyke can land another big recruit in the state of Florida, that would certainly reflect positively on him. Miami is going up against Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M among others  for Stewart. It will certainly not be easy, but judging by his recent success, I can see him luring in another big fish.

 

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Xavien Howard reported to Miami Dolphins training camp but his contract demands remain unresolved.

Fresh Perspective: Top 5 Miami Dolphins to watch in training camp

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It’s always fun to play the prediction game. I’ve already predicted the Miami Dolphins 53-man roster on both offense and defense, and I’ve even offered a perspective on the top five training camp battles to watch as it inches ever closer. But there is still one topic that hasn’t been elaborated on yet. In the spirit of my YouTube show – “Pulse of Fins Nation” – I asked you, the audience, what player you wanted to watch more than anyone else in training camp.

Immediately I disqualified Tua Tagovailoa. Obviously, everyone wants to see what he’s going to do. If he doesn’t perform, it likely won’t matter what anyone else on the team does. There would be no point in asking the question without setting those parameters. Tagovailoa is without a doubt the most polarizing figure in Dolphins history since…the last franchise QB Miami had on their roster, Ryan Tannehill.

So if we’re doing a countdown of the top five Dolphins to watch in training camp are, Tagovailoa tops the list, no questions asked. That’s why for the purposes of this story, he’s being disqualified. It’s too easy. So here are the top five Miami Dolphins to watch – according to you, the audience – not named Tua Tagovailoa.

5. Myles Gaskin – RB

Considering how much emphasis was placed on the running back position during the offseason, it’s no surprise that people want to see what Myles Gaskin does with another year as the lead back. Granted, it’s assumed the Miami Dolphins will use a committee approach, but Gaskin will always get first crack at it. It’s his job to lose.

The number of people coming out of nowhere to defend Gaskin is remarkable. It wasn’t that long ago that Dolphins fans wanted desperately for the team to draft a fresh running back, like Najee Harris. Now, there’s no choice but to hope that a potentially improved offensive line will make Gaskin look much better than last season.

To play devil’s advocate, it’s not as if Gaskin is a bad running back. Far from it. He was a lot better than anyone expected him to be. In the ten games that he played, dealing with the reality of Covid-19 and an injured knee, Gaskin put together 972 total yards (584 rushing and 388 receiving) and five total touchdowns. Production was his claim to fame back in college, and that’s what he’s been doing in the pros. He’s not the fastest, not the strongest, not the most talented. However, he produces, just like he always has.

Everyone is waiting to see if an improved WR corps and offensive line will increase Gaskin’s level of production. He’s definitely an underdog type of player. He’s faced the possibility of being replaced several times throughout the offseason and he’s still standing. The coaching staff clearly has faith in him, camp will tell if that faith was well placed.

4. Xavien Howard – CB

Let’s make this abundantly clear right now. No one is suggesting that Xavien Howard needs to prove anything. He’s a top five cornerback in the NFL, a turnover machine that makes quarterbacks pay if they make a mistake. And, up until recently, he was the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.

All these votes to see Xavien Howard in training camp are not referring to seeing him perform. They’re referring to seeing him show up to training camp in the first place. Howard’s holdout is well-documented at this point. For whatever reason, Howard is not happy with the Miami Dolphins. Is it the lack of remaining guaranteed money on his contract? Bruised ego due to the fact that his teammate Byron Jones is making more than he is? There’s no way to know for sure.

Only time will tell whether Howard decides to show up to training camp or not. If he does, then even if he plays disgruntled, Howard will play. Then the Dolphins can explore giving him more money later on after the salary cap stops being such a looming figure.

If he doesn’t show up, then there’s no question the defense will take a huge step back in 2021. That is, unless, another player steps up in a big way. More on that later.

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3. Jaelen Phillips – LB

Of all the rookies that the Miami Dolphins added to the roster this year, perhaps the one with the most upside of all is linebacker Jaelen Phillips out of the University of Miami. His history is well-documented. He briefly retired from football after all the injuries he suffered in college, but ultimately came back and singled himself out as a potentially elite pass rusher in the 2021 draft class.

It says a lot about a player that even with that injury history, a team still feels he’s worth drafting with the 18th overall pick. To put it in very simple terms, Phillips has a very good chance of becoming what Dion Jordan was supposed to be when the Dolphins drafted him 3rd overall in the 2013 NFL draft.

Strange how long ago that seems now.

Phillips is big, he’s fast, he can rush the passer and he can cover. He’s a perfect chess piece for Brian Flores to incorporate into the defense. His development will be crucial for the defense to take the next step into becoming the league’s most dangerous unit.

2. Jaylen Waddle – WR

Everyone knows what Waddle brings to the table. He is speed incarnate, and videos of how difficult he’s going to be to cover with the twitch he shows in route-running have fans salivating at the idea of watching Tua Tagovailoa throwing him the football again like the good ol’ days at Alabama.

Just like Phillips, Waddle is an extremely high-ceiling player, which seems to be the theme for the Miami Dolphins 2021 draft class as a whole. With the chemistry he has with Tagovailoa, Waddle projects to be an instant and regular contributor on offense. There’s also the distinct possibility that he’ll take the role currently held by Jakeem Grant as a kick and punt returner. Training camp will reveal a lot about the role the coaches have in mind for the rookie.

1. Noah Igbinoghene – CB

The number one player to watch in training camp is none other than Noah Igbinoghene. Make no mistake, this young player out of Auburn is the Miami Dolphins insurance plan for Xavien Howard. Based on what the reports are, he’ll need to be ready sooner rather than later. Howard seems to be making it a point to express he feels underpaid and underappreciated. Depending on who you ask, he’s either right or wrong. I, personally, don’t agree with Howard.

Nevertheless, Igbinoghene was drafted because of the high ceiling he presents. He may have struggled in his rookie season, but that’s to be expected with young cornerbacks. There’s always a learning curve, which varies in difficulty depending on the position. Cornerback is one of the hardest positions to transition from college to the NFL, and Igbinoghene is still very, very young.

His development has ramifications beyond this season. If Igbinoghene develops and turns into the type of player that coach Flores believes he can be, then the Dolphins won’t need to break the bank all over again to pay Howard and keep their elite secondary. They can trade Howard, get a ton more draft capital, and still have their plan intact. If he doesn’t develop, then Miami faces a scenario where they’ll have a disgruntled Howard who will essentially be able to demand a blank check whenever he wants. Maybe if they pay him a second time, he’ll calm down, but there’s no guarantee of that.

A lot is riding on Igbinoghene taking a huge next step in his second season. It’s no wonder why everyone is watching with baited breath.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for seven years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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