NFL analyst has a take from way out of left field on the Miami Dolphins' supposed biggest remaining roster need
The Miami Dolphins are not short of areas of concern on their roster, even with the main wave of free agency and the NFL Draft now in our rearview mirror. The defensive side of the ball, particularly at the cornerback spots, is in need of a talent infusion. The depth on the defensive line is […]
The Miami Dolphins are not short of areas of concern on their roster, even with the main wave of free agency and the NFL Draft now in our rearview mirror.
The defensive side of the ball, particularly at the cornerback spots, is in need of a talent infusion. The depth on the defensive line is improved after three new draftees were added last month, but that's a lot of inexperience to be relying upon immediately, with only Zach Sieler and Benito Jones being experienced options.
However, one NFL analyst thinks the Dolphins' primary roster need lies on the other side of the ball, and not on the offensive line, like many have argued. No, ESPN NFL writer Aaron Schatz, in his article identifying the top need for all 32 teams, claims the Dolphins' slot receiver is the top remaining area of need.
This is what Schatz had to say:
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle make an excellent top two, but who is the third option? Free agent arrival Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is an outside receiver. Veterans Erik Ezukanma and Dee Eskridge never really developed.
Right now, the top slot options are two low-round draft picks from 2024. Malik Washington had 26 catches for 223 yards with no touchdowns last season, while Tahj Washington missed last season with an undisclosed injury. – Aaron Schatz, ESPN
First, I don't think the absence of a committed slot receiver is something that has hurt Miami's offense. Last year, they had four players who logged at least 120 snaps in the slot, with TE Jonnu Smith tallying the most (232). Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle also saw a decent amount of work there in 2024. And when their offense was clicking in 2023, Miami again had 4 players with at least 120 snaps in the slot, with Durham Smythe leading the way with 260.
But putting that argument aside, it's a pretty wild take to list slot receiver as the mea's biggest need when Miami still has two starting cornerback spots to be filled this offseason without any clear-cut candidate from their current crop of players to fill them. Provided Jalen Ramsey doesn't return, which seems very unlikely at this point, you're talking about a potential starting combination of Cam Smith and Storm Duck on the boundary with Kader Kohou at nickel. That's worrisome, to put it mildly.
Miami is surely not done looking to improve that group this offseason, as there are still some veterans out there (Asante Samuel, Jr., Stephon Gilmore, etc.) who could be solutions for 2025 – if the price and cap space are figured out. Regardless, it's a position that still has to be figured out over the next four months if Miami is going to have any chance of making it back to the postseason.
And it's certainly something that general manager Chris Grier very likely has his primary focus on over the next few months.
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