Miami Dolphins: 10 Players Whose Stock Is on the Rise in OTAs

Last Tuesday, we got our first glimpse at the 2012 Miami Dolphins. 

The team completed its first OTA session of the offseason, showcasing an up-tempo offense, a batch of potential impact rookies and a three-way quarterback battle. 

It's important to remember that these practices, while valuable, don't reflect much. 

Until the Dolphins strap on pads and go full speed, we can't get a feel for which rookies are truly ready for the NFL and how the depth chart stacks up. 

But, these 10 players are making noise already. 

Hopefully, they carry their momentum into the preseason. 

Lamar Miller

Fourth-round pick Lamar Miller is still nursing a shoulder injury he suffered last year, so hasn't done much on the field. But, his freak athleticism has already inspired the coaching staff's imagination. 

"There's a chance down the road, as Lamar gets acclimated, that he might be able to spread himself a ways as a receiver to a certain degree," Joe Philbin said via Dave George of the Palm Beach Post. "I'm not saying make a full position change, but I think there's some flexibility with what you can do with the guy."

On top of that, Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel called Miller the "top standout" after last week's OTA.

Will Miller look this impressive when he straps on pads and has to evade Karlos Dansby or block a blitzing Cameron Wake?

We'll see.

But so far, Miller is exceeding all expectations. 

Jeff Fuller

Given his familiarity with Mike Sherman's offense and rapport with Ryan Tannehill, Jeff Fuller is the undrafted free agent most likely to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. 

Fuller still faces an uphill battle as he and eight other wide receivers vie for a select few roster spots, but he's making a strong case to secure one of them. 

During last week's practice, the Sun Sentinel reported that Ryan Tannehill threw "one great pass," and it just so happened to be a slant to Fuller. 

If these two continue connecting in practice, then Fuller will most definitely earn a spot on the roster. 

Matt Moore

Although the Dolphins are hosting an open quarterback competition between Matt Moore, David Garrard and Ryan Tannehill, Stephen Ross already knows who he wants to see under center on opening day. 

At last week's NFL spring meeting, Ross told Jeff Darlington of NFL.com, "I think Matt Moore will probably be the starter [when the season begins]."

Don't count David Garrard out yet, but Moore's fantastic play down the stretch last season might give him the edge. But, the offseason is young, and if Moore's famously inconsistent practice habits persist, then Garrard and his veteran consistency will make a strong case for the starting job.

B.J. Cunningham

There's a long list of Dolphins wide receivers on the fringe of earning a roster spot. 

Roberto Wallace, Marlon Moore, Julius Pruitt, B.J. Cunningham, Rishard Matthews, Jeff Fuller and Clyde Gates are will compete for two or three rosters spots. So, it's vital that each of these players making standout plays in practice.

Thus far, sixth-round pick B.J. Cunningham has made two such plays. 

At rookie camp, B.J. Cunningham couldn't hold on to a Ryan Tannehill pass, and it was intercepted by undrafted free agent Vincent Agnew. 

But, Cunningham redeemed himself at Miami's first OTA session, taking a Tannehill slant pass 60 yards to the house. 

Cunningham is the biggest sleeper in Miami's draft class.

He has the potential to become a productive NFL wide receiver and, assuming drops don't become a recurring issue, might earn a significant role this season. 

John Jerry

Although right guard is a glaring weakness on Miami's roster, the team opted not to sign one during free agency and didn't draft one either. 

So, are the Dolphins ready to move ahead with John Jerry as the starter?

Omar Kelly spoke with Jeff Ireland and reported, "The team's goal is to allow Jerry, a third-round pick in 2010, to settle into one spot with the hope he'll fill one of the team's major voids.

Jerry is one of Ireland's biggest draft whiffs, but the 6'5", 328-pound lineman actually played admirably toward the end of last season. It's discomforting to imagine Jerry starting, but the Dolphins appear to believe he is ready to establish himself as a quality player. 

Reggie Bush

Let's be honest, Reggie Bush isn't going to win the rushing title. 

But, his numbers could increase as the Dolphins transition to an up-tempo offense, which will, according to wide receiver Marlon Moore, allow Miami to "outrun everybody."

Bush's biggest assets are his speed, vision, quickness and explosiveness, and these traits should make him lethal in a fast-paced, no-huddle offense. 

It's difficult for defenses to contain Bush in the first place, so imagine how frustrated they'll become if Bush rotates between running back and wide receiver in a no huddle offense. 

Sean Smith

Sean Smith is entering the final year of his rookie contract. If he wants to earn a lucrative extension from the Dolphins or another team via free agency, then he needs to elevate his game this season. 

He's on the right track so far. 

Smith grabbed at least two interceptions at last week's practice, making him one of the team's standout performers. 

After three NFL seasons, Smith hasn't lived up to expectations. He's accrued only three interceptions in three seasons, and he's still inconsistent.

This might be the year he finally puts it all together, though. If Smith has a breakout season, then the Dolphins defense will be a dominant unit. 

Charles Clay

Charles Clay primarily played fullback last season, and he still managed to reel in three touchdown receptions. 

Now that Clay is being utilized as a tight end, his numbers could easily multiply. 

The Sun Sentinel also reported that Clay "made great catches" at last week's practice, but also "put himself in position to get blown up."

If Clay keeps this up, he could bring a ton of versatility to Miami's offense, which will create more problems for opposing defenses. He can play fullback, H-back and tight end, and he alone could allow the 'Fins to install new packages (Full House?). 

And, imagine the chaos Miami can cause by putting, say, Clay, Bush and Lamar Miller on the field. 

Reshad Jones

The Dolphins wouldn't have released Yeremiah Bell if they didn't believe in Reshad Jones, Chris Clemons, Jimmy Wilson, Tyrone Culver and Tyrell Johnson. 

Although Jones struggled for most of the 2011 season, he appears to have a grasp on one of the starting jobs.

Safety is Miami's biggest weakness, so whichever players win the starting jobs will be under a microscope all season long. This won't be new territory for Jones, though. He took plenty of criticism last season, but he learned from his mistakes and played better as the season progressed.  

If Jones can emerge as a solid player, then it'll become hard to find faults in Miami's defense. 

Jared Odrick

Last week's OTA practice confirmed one thing we already knew: Jared Odrick will replace Kendall Langford as a starting defensive end. 

Odrick started seven games and racked up six sacks last season, showcasing a promising blend of pass-rush and run-stuffing skills.

And, given the Dolphins' limited sources of pass-rush, Odrick's ability to get to the quarterback makes him even more valuable. 

Odrick's ceiling is far higher than Langford's ever was, so there's a chance he will eventually become a rather substantial upgrade.