Where does Lynn Bowden Jr. fit on the Dolphins roster?
With a new coaching regime in Miami, Lynn Bowden has a shot to make the roster, The question is, what is Lynn Bowden’s fit on the Dolphins roster?
Last year I wrote about how Lynn Bowden Jr, would be an X factor in Miami. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Bowden was placed on season ending IR.
Fit as a wide receiver
Currently listed as a wide receiver in Miami, Lynn Bowden Jr. played only 10 games his rookie season. Of those 10 games, Bowden started in four games for Miami.
Bowden played a big role for the Dolphins offense down the stretch in the 2020 season, catching 27 passes for 212 yards (7.9 avg.) in the final five games.
In the Dolphins offense, Lynn Bowden Jr. is a rare talent. He can line up out wide, in the slot, as a running back, or a wildcat quarterback.
Within this new Dolphins offense; however, Lynn Bowden Jr. is not the rarity. Receivers like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Erik Ezukanma can do everything Bowden does.
Frankly, the Miami Dolphins wide receiver roster is loaded with versatile talent:
- Tyreek Hill
- Jaylen Waddle
- Cedrick Wilson
- Erik Ezukanma
- Preston Williams
- Lynn Bowden Jr.
- Cody Core
- River Cracraft
- DeVonte Dedmon
- Braylon Sanders
While Bowden Jr. will see some snaps at receiver if he is kept on the roster, will it be enough to make a sizable impact?
In 2020, Bowden logged 9.6% target percentage when he was on the field. Player profile loggs it as the 99th best in 2020.
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Cedrick Wilson are locked as the Dolphins first three receivers. Battling for the fourth receiver spot will come down to rookie Erik Ezukanma, Bowden, and Preston Williams.
Both Williams and Ezukanma are bigger than Bowden and can line up more on the outside. Williams has taken snaps at running back before. Ezukanma at Texas Tech did the same things Bowden did.
Financially, letting go of Bowden earns almost $1.04 million back to sign free agents in the middle of the season due to any injuries.
| Player | Cap Charge | Dead Cap | Cap Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erik Ezukanma | $886,248 | $724,992 | $161,256 |
| Lynn Bowden Jr. | $1,038,128 | $0 | $1,038,128 |
| Preston Williams | $1,290,000 | $275,000 | $1,015,000 |
However, depth on the roster is like money, you can never have too much. Carrying more than six receivers on the roster is a necessity, especially in a pass-heavy league.
But…
Lynn Bowden Jr. as a running back?
We all know in 2020, the Las Vegas Raiders botched their plan for Bowden Jr. by slotting him as a running back. It never worked out.
But what if the Miami Dolphins tried it?
When the time comes Lynn Bowden Jr. will be a great case study in the value of versatility.
We’ve seen what Julian Edelman, Taysom Hill, Brian Mitchell, Antwan Randle-El, Hines Ward, and others back to Frank Gifford and Paul Hornung have accomplished, but staff matters.
21 carries
205 yards
2 touchdownsLynn Bowden Jr. is GOING OFF 😤 pic.twitter.com/82Hjcjnr9S
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 27, 2019
This is where Lynn Bowden could thrive in an offensive staff and scheme assembled by Mike McDaniel.
Yes, we all have heard Mike McDaniel and his evolution of turning Deebo Samuel into an all-pro wideback.
Just the combination of running the ball and Bowden’s toughness minimizes the offense’s risk in the passing game.
A personnel of Waddle and Hill on opposite sides of the field with Bowden Jr. in the backfield will make defenses scratch their heads. There’s an advantage of lining him up in the backfield and as a running back.
Lynn Bowden Jr. is one of the coolest college football players ever ever pic.twitter.com/zMlST9YG8V
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 30, 2019
Running Back Financials
| Player | Cap Charge | Dead Cap | Cap Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Edmonds | $5,500,000 | $5,500,000 | $0 |
| Raheem Mostert | $1,936,765 | $1,000,000 | $936,765 |
| Myles Gaskin | $2,561,777 | $21,777 | $2,540,000 |
| Sony Michel | $1,750,000 | $850,000 | $900,000 |
Those are the four top guys at running back right now, and Gaskin has the least dead money and offers the most cap savings by far.
The Dolphins are also carrying Alec Ingold whose 2022 salary is fully guaranteed for a cap charge of $2,750,000 at fullback. Chase Edmonds and Alec Ingold are both locks for the roster.
Again, depth is money- but you become smart with money. Unless there’s an injury in camp at the position or Gaskin has a strong training camp, it will be hard justifying his cap charge as a running back.
“Miami's running backs room is packed with talent, and after the additions of Raheem Mostert, Chase Edmonds and Sony Michel, there may not be room for both Ahmed and last year's leading rusher, Myles Gaskin.”
– ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques pic.twitter.com/neq1VkViee
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) July 11, 2022
The Miami Dolphins currently have the fourth-highest positional spending at the running back position. This is where Lynn Bowden Jr. comes into play.
The Dolphins can carry Bowden as the fifth running back on the roster while also stacking the deck at wide receiver on the roster.
Positions are given based on a core scheme. In contrast, the league is moving towards position-less football on offense and defense with players becoming more versatile.
NFL teams make roster and personnel changes each game based on the opponent and matchups dictated. There may be more receivers on a game day roster one week, more running backs another week, and potentially two fullbacks the week after.
This may be the most logical option of getting a talented and versatile player like Lynn Bowden Jr. on the field.
***This article was originally published on the ATB Network by Hussam Patel***
Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor and Lead NFL Draft analyst at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel
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