The Miami Dolphins are set to play their first preseason game of the 2022 NFL season this week, as they travel to Tampa Bay for joint practices and a Saturday matchup with the Buccaneers.
Training camp has gone well for Miami, with some of their more important players showing that they’re making improvements and continuing to grow in their careers. However, there are still some obvious things to be concerned about.
On Monday, the Dolphins released their depth chart for joint practices and their game later in the week. Here are some interesting nuggets that we learned from the depth chart.
The offensive line is what we expected to see
There have been reports and comments from players/coaches that the offensive line this year will have some players playing new positions, and that appears to be the case.
The depth chart shows Terron Armstead at left tackle, Liam Eichenberg at left guard, Connor William at center, Robert Hunt at right guard and Austin Jackson at right tackle.
On top of that, Larnel Coleman is listed as the top backup at left tackle, which, with Armstead’s injury history, is significant.
No. 4 and 5 WRs could be on the move
It was reported on Monday that the Dolphins have had discussions about trading wide receivers Preston Williams and Lynn Bowden Jr. According to this depth chart, they’re listed as Miami’s fourth and fifth wideouts, respectively.
Whether that’s a ploy to get other teams more interested in trading for their services or if that’s how the coaches actually feel about them remains to be seen. However, it feels more like the former considering how guys like rookie Erik Ezukanma (the 10th receiver on this depth chart) have performed throughout camp.
Keion Crossen higher in the CB ranks than expected
With Brandon Jones still on the PUP list, he’s not included on the depth chart, but he’d be written in ink at the second spot. Without him, Nik Needham has moved up to the second spot.
Following Needham is where we’d expect to see Noah Igbinoghene and Trill Williams, however, they are both pushed back a spot with Crossen actually being listed as the third cornerback at this point.
Those who have been in attendance at training camp have reported that Crossen has played pretty well in his opportunities despite his signing being more for special teams reasons.
This is a bit concerning for the two young cornerbacks, who many were hoping to take a step forward this year.
The return jobs are going to players with larger offensive roles
In an ideal world, a team would get contributions in the return game from a depth player on offense or defense, minimalizing the impact of a potential injury on special teams. However, according to this depth chart, Tyreek Hill will be handling punt returns and Raheem Mostert will take kick returns.
Hill hasn’t returned punts in the last two seasons, but it’s how he made a name for himself early on in his career. Mostert’s returned some kicks, but he hasn’t done so since 2017.
Jaylen Waddle actually lands behind both of them as the backup punt and kick returner.
