6 Miami Dolphins Who Have Earned Increased Playing Time Down Stretch
The Miami Dolphins are entering the final three-game stretch of the season, and at 7-6, their playoff odds are slim. Miami’s next battle against the New England Patriots is approaching, but it’s clear that both teams are heading in opposite directions.
With Miami’s injuries mounting to devastating levels, the coaching staff will need to finally replace some of the starters who were average at best with some young talent that can develop. The over-reliance on older veterans with limited upsides hasn't paid off for Miami this year, as almost every major free-agent signing from 2014 has suffered a season-ending injury or missed significant playing time.
On top of the injuries suffered before Week 14, the linebacking corps could be without Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi. Each suffered injuries against the Ravens, and their status is up in the air this week, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
That will leave Miami in a precarious situation where it must try to field a competitive team, but the coaches haven’t been willing to develop backup players on the field. It’s a gamble that did not pay off for Joe Philbin.
Let’s take a look at the six Miami Dolphins who should see more playing time with three games left. It’s time to see where Miami must improve its depth and add more resources.
Give Rishard Matthews His Shot
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One of the more baffling roster decisions by Joe Philbin and Bill Lazor is their unwillingness to use Rishard Matthews. One year after being targeted 67 times, Matthews has barely been on the field in 2014. With just 10 receptions, he has been vastly underutilized.
If Miami wasn't using Matthews because of significantly better talent in front of him, it would be understandable. However, that’s not the case. Receivers Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline have struggled with drops and getting open consistently, which are basically the two most important traits for a receiver.
With Miami’s offensive line woes, a receiver who can make catches in traffic is key. Matthews has shown that he can play well when given the opportunity, but too often, he’s stuck on the bench.
The Dolphins could see major changes at the wideout position when the roster is turned over after the season. The team should see if Matthews deserves a shot to be on the roster in 2015.
Can Dion Jordan Be a Linebacker?
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It’s disturbing how poorly defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has handled Dion Jordan, whom Jeff Ireland drafted to be a linebacker. Jordan bulked up to play defensive end, which also happens to be Miami’s deepest position, but the results so far haven’t been great.
When Jordan comes in, he is usually thrust into an edge-setting role. He’s powerful and a freakish athlete, so he does a great job of making plays in space. But that’s more of a linebacker skill than a defensive end trait.
We know Miami doesn’t have a good player in Philip Wheeler at the strong-side linebacker position, so why not finally insert Jordan at the position and let him learn before 2015? Again, it seems as though the coaches have been too headstrong when it comes to maximizing talent.
Let’s Find out What Billy Turner Has
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After 14 weeks of the Dolpins playing Samson Satele at center and Daryn Colledge at left guard, enough is enough of the poor interior offensive line play. Billy Turner was selected as a road-grading run blocker and has been effectively redshirted in 2014.
That plan is nice in theory, as Turner is being given a year to add strength and improve technique, but Miami needs to play its most talented guys now. An interior line made up of Shelley Smith, Mike Pouncey and Turner could be one of the best run-blocking units in the league and is unlikely to be a step down in pass protection.
The offensive line is set to be another major area of need again after the Branden Albert injury and the failed stopgaps in Colledge and Satele. Insert Turner and allow him to grow toward his immense potential.
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Get Walt Aikens in
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Walt Aikens will see more playing time soon due to injuries to Jamar Taylor, Cortland Finnegan and Louis Delmas. Whether his playing time comes at free safety or cornerback is unclear, but either way, he must play.
Aikens has tremendous physical tools for a safety or cornerback, and he needs time to refine his technique and adjust to the NFL speed. Why Coyle insisted on playing journeyman R.J. Stanford over Aikens is another head-scratcher, as Stanford has been predictably dreadful.
For long-term development, it is probably best for Aikens to see time at free safety. Miami needs one in 2015, and a number of league-average ones are available every year should he prove to be a better fit at cornerback. But if Aikens shows promise at free safety, he could prove to be a draft-day steal.
Jason Fox Must Get Snaps
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Instead of playing one of the worst right tackles in the NFL in Dallas Thomas, Miami could opt for the capable Jason Fox. This lineup move should have occurred weeks ago, but Philbin has been rigid and unwilling to give into common sense again.
Fox would replace Thomas, who has allowed six sacks and 24 quarterback hurries in only 617 total snaps this year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His PFF grade of minus-18.4 is the seventh-worst tackle grade in the NFL, but he’s accomplished that in only 255 snaps at the position.
Fox has played well when he’s gotten his chance with the Dolphins and Detroit Lions. In order for the Dolphins offense to operate functionally in the passing game, it’s time to help out Ryan Tannehill with a competent right tackle.
Can Chris McCain Finally Get Some Run?
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Chris McCain was a training camp and preseason stud for the Dolphins, but injuries have limited him to 44 snaps on the season. Since Jelani Jenkins could be injured and defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon have been struggling the last few weeks, why not insert fresh legs?
The intriguing parts of McCain’s game are his speed and relentlessness in pursuing the quarterback. He has the raw talent to develop into a nice rotational piece. But with so few snaps on the season, he could become a forgotten man.
Miami can’t allow that to happen and needs to figure out if McCain can be a complementary rusher like Terrence Fede and Derrick Shelby.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting, and analyst for eDraft.
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