Four Miami Dolphins whose stock is up after Week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals
The Miami Dolphins fell to 0-5 on the season in Week 5 — but their loss still came with several strong performances to build upon.
The Miami Dolphins didn’t get the outcome they wanted. With a 31-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Jeff Hafley’s group fell to 0-5 on the season. It’s been a month filled with frustration, yet steady progress.
Progression is not linear, however. Players playing well on a week to week basis with consistency is a measure of a refined player. The Dolphins are in the process of building those players up among their young core. But who played well in Week 5? Here are four Dolphins with stock up.
Four Miami Dolphins whose stock is up after Week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals
Safety Dante Trader Jr.
Trader Jr. showed up in a big way on more than one occasion in the run game. He was also present off the right side of the Bengals’ offensive line to leap and influence a Joe Burrow throw on third down. It helped force a Bengals punt. It wasn’t all that long ago that Trader Jr. was scrapping for a starting spot with veteran safety Zayne Anderson. Now, he feels like a mainstay on the backend for this season. And, with more games like this one, potentially beyond.
Running back Ollie Gordon II
Make it 2-for-2 for Gordon and the battle in the backfield. The second-year back once again did laps around veteran Jaylen Wright in terms of workload and production. With Gordon appearing to stack some major confidence in Miami’s backfield, the Dolphins posted over 200 yards rushing as a team. The identity piece of who Miami wants to be has been clear since the beginning and Gordon is helping to continue that after De’Von Achane’s injury.
Wide receiver Malik Washington
Washington was a stock up player last week, too. He wasn’t as productive as a receiver, but his imprint was all over the field for the Dolphins. Washington was credited with 134 all purpose yards on the day thanks to contributions in the passing game, as a rusher, and in the return game. Miami’s offense is trying to find their footing and it sure feels like leaning into Washington and Gordon will be their best avenue to points for the time being.
Cornerback Chris Johnson
Take a bow, Chris. Johnson was a part of the Dolphins’ secondary effort to hold the Bengals to 190 passing yards as a team — nearly an ideal performance. The lone exception was the spectacular touchdown reception Ja’Marr Chase made over Jason Marshall Jr. Johnson helped craft a turnover, though. He punched a football out in the red zone to help spare the Dolphins points. He’s been coming on via Hafley in recent weeks. And he was at the center of one of Miami’s better efforts.
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