9 Miami Dolphins Flying Under the Media's Radar Heading into Camps

Enough talk about Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore and Reggie Bush. 

We know what those guys are capable of. 

Instead, let's take a look at some Miami Dolphins players who are flying below the radar as training camp approaches. 

A handful of players come out of nowhere and surprise us every year, and these nine are this year's candidates. 

Daniel Thomas

Nobody is talking about Daniel Thomas. 

It's a stark contrast from last summer, when pundits (myself included) expected Thomas to seize the starting running back job and emerge as one of the NFL's most productive rookies. Injuries hindered Thomas throughout the season, though, and he eventually fell by the wayside as Reggie Bush enjoyed a career year. 

Now, all eyes are on Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller, but Thomas is lurking in the background waiting for an opportunity to reestablish himself. 

Legedu Naanee

The Dolphins signed wide receiver Legedu Naanee a few days prior to the NFL Draft, and nobody batted an eyelash. 

Naanee spent four unproductive years with the San Diego Chargers, and caught 44 passes in 11 starts for the Carolina Panthers last season—his most productive yet. 

Although his resume is unimpressive, Naanee is loaded with potential. He's 6'2", 220 pounds, and ran a 4.41 40 at the 2007 NFL Combine. Naanee might be Miami's most physically gifted wide receiver, and he'll have the opportunity to emerge as one of the team's top wide receiver targets. 

Jared Odrick

Losing Kendall Langford hurts, but his successor is primed for a breakout season.

Third year defensive end Jared Odrick started seven games for the 'Fins last season, racking up six sacks and 20 tackles. Odrick missed the entire 2010 season, so you can technically view last season as his first, which makes his numbers look far more impressive.

The former first round pick can play defensive end in a 3-4 and defensive tackle in a 4-3, which makes him extra valuable to the Dolphins and their hybrid defense.

Jimmy Wilson

Jimmy Wilson was the MVP of training camp last year. 

The Dolphins drafted him in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he quickly made his presence felt at camp, making huge plays in practice and in preseason games. 

Wilson struggled during the regular season, though, and his tale is reminiscent of cornerback Nolan Carroll, who shined during training camp in 2010 but has struggled since. 

The 'Fins have moved Wilson to safety, where he'll get a chance to compete for one of the two starting spots. 

Koa Misi

Koa Misi struggled to generate a pass rush in Miami's 3-4 alignment because, well, he's not a natural pass rusher. The Dolphins tried to mold Misi into one, but the experiment ultimately failed. 

At his core, Misi is a run-stuffer. He finished his collegiate career with just 10.5 sacks, but, alternatively, accrued 205 tackles in three seasons. 

Now that the Dolphins are using the 4-3 as their base defense, Misi will be able to exercise his run-stuffing prowess. Although there's no guarantee Misi will ever live up to his second round billing, he has a perfect chance to do so this season. 

Julius Pruitt

Hardcore Dolphins fan will recognize Julius Pruitt's name. 

He signed with Miami as an undrafted free agent in 2009, and has spent most of the last three years on the practice squad. 

But, Pruitt might finally be ready to secure a roster spot for good. Two Dolphins veterans told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, "[Pruitt] has stood out the most this offseason among the team’s young, largely unproved receivers."

Clyde Gates

Following an unproductive rookie season, Clyde Gates is flying under the radar. 

Gates caught a measly two passes for 19 yards last season, though he was effective returning kicks, averaging 24.8 yards on 77 attempts. 

Although Gates was a non-factor last season, he deserves slack. Remember, he played his college ball at Abilene Christian, a Division II school. Playing against sub-par competition makes Gates' transition to the NFL extremely difficult. 

But now that he has a full season under his belt, Gates could become a factor this season. He has unbelievable speed, and that alone should grant him some reps in the regular season. 

Roberto Wallace

Roberto Wallace, a.k.a. Brandon Marshall's clone (Wallace: 6'4", 225 pounds; Marshall: 6'4", 230 pounds), has lingered on the bottom of the Dolphins depth chart for two seasons. 

He appeared in two games last season, but failed to register a catch. 

Wallace is the tallest wide receiver on the roster, which gives him an advantage over his competition.

But, it's time for him to put it all together.

Wallace clearly has the physical tools to succeed, and after two years, inexperience is no longer an excuse. 

Marlon Moore

Yes, another wide receiver. 

Marlon Moore, like Roberto Wallace, sat on the bottom of the depth chart for the last two seasons. 

Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel said, "[Moore] was Chad Pennington’s favorite target during training camp of 2010, and became Matt Moore’s favorite target in training camp of 2011."

Moore clearly has NFL talent, and he might just need opportunity to breakthrough. As of now, Moore has the edge on Pruitt, Wallace and Gates, but he'll need to deliver in training camp to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.