Checking in on Miami Dolphins' Biggest Project Players

The Miami Dolphins have overhauled their roster at several positions this offseason, and in the process, they've sprinkled in a mix of experienced veterans and project players who need some time to hone their craft before being thrust into prominent roles.

There are several types of projects on the Dolphins roster, ranging from rookies in their first year to practice-squad players who've yet to earn their shot, to second- or third-year players honing their craft to players changing positions and players facing other unique circumstances.

At some point, all those projects must show some improvement in order to earn their spot on the roster. That's the only way that they will continue to get opportunities (be it in practice or in limited game reps) to prove that they can and will reach their potential.

Some players can be plugged in right away, but these are some of the players who may need a little seasoning before they're ready to be added to the recipe. 

Tony Lippett

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Just how much of a project is Michigan State's Tony Lippett? It's not even clear which position he should play. 

He played wide receiver in the Big Ten, was voted to the All-Big Ten team at the position and worked out as a receiver at the scouting combine, but he also moved around to cornerback and played special teams as well. At 6'2" and 192 pounds, he has enough size to play on the boundary at receiver and more than enough size to play on the boundary at cornerback.

It's a little early to be making proclamations about the success or failure of his change of position, but Lippett's making plays at cornerback and turning heads as he makes a permanent transition from offense to defense.

"The fact of the matter is, he got his hands on three footballs," said head coach Joe Philbin. "That's a good thing no matter how you look at it."

It sure is. And it gives the Dolphins reason to believe that he's making progress toward the full-time switch the Dolphins hope he can make.

Walt Aikens

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

There's uncertainty around Walt Aikens' position switch from cornerback to safety and back to cornerback, but it appears the second-year defensive back is up to any challenge the Dolphins coaching staff can throw at him.

Aikens was a cornerback at Liberty, switched to safety upon arriving at training camp for the Dolphins, switched back to cornerback when entering a game against the Denver Broncos in 2014 and now appears to be on his way back to the back end of the defense.

At 6'1" and 210 pounds, Aikens certainly has the size for either position. The question is whether he has the necessary footwork fluidity and technique to play at cornerback, or the play recognition and reaction speed to play at safety. 

With veteran safety Louis Delmas out of practice, Aikens has been splitting reps with Michael Thomas, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. If Delmas is a full-go for the regular season (and all indications are that he will be), Aikens will likely begin the season on the bench. As he learned last year, though, all it takes is one injury to a key starter for Aikens to have his number called.

Terrence Fede

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

The Dolphins spent a seventh-round pick on Marist defensive end Terrence Fede, a 6'4", 282-pound project who made a name for himself at OTAs last summer, but never made enough of a splash to earn a major role. He finished his rookie year with just 82 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, but it should come as no surprise given the questions surrounding his development coming out of college.

He had been labeled a "developmental project" by NFL.com's Nolan Nawrocki, who also said the following:

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Has ideal dimensions to develop as a five-technique in a 3-4 front or as a base end in a 4-3 front, though he must prove that he can consistently match up against better competition. Lined up at the right defensive end spot in a four-point stance in a three-man line in college and plays more of a finesse than power game. A big man who plays small and did not dominate lesser competition, Fede must prove he is more than a big fish in a small pond.

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Fede has been coming on strong once again in OTAs this summer, and had a would-be sack of quarterback Ryan Tannehill in practice on Monday, according to Omar Kelly and Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. With former first-round pick Dion Jordan suspended for the entire season, Fede could be one of several backup defensive ends who are called upon for bigger roles this season. 

Billy Turner

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

The Dolphins have conducted a long-lasting search for answers at guard, having lacked true fits for their zone scheme ever since Joe Philbin took over as head coach in 2012. In searching for answers, the Dolphins have looked to some question marks in the form of former college tackles making the switch to guard.

One of those projects is North Dakota State University's Billy Turner, a 6'5", 315-pound lineman who never played guard until entering the NFL. Given that tidbit of information, it's no surprise that he played only 17 snaps in his rookie season, according to Pro Football Focus. 

One reason for his lack of playing time could be the fact that he needs to improve in some of the key tenets of being a guard in the Dolphins' zone scheme, according to NFL.com's Nolan Nawrocki:

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Needs to improve his core strength and fortify his base. Plays too tall and narrow-based -- pad level fluctuates. Does not explode on contact. Footwork and technique need refinement. Carries his hands low. Tends to overextend and bend at the waist. Average contact balance and body control. Slides off blocks. Struggles to clear his feet as a puller. Inconsistent connecting and sustaining on the second level.

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Turner will battle with third-year project Dallas Thomas, another former college tackle making the switch to guard, for the starting job at one of the two guard spots. If Turner can improve blocking in space, and show that improvement in training camp, he could be the one who ends up with the starting job.

Cedric Thompson

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins can be sure that they have two starting-caliber safeties, but they can't be sure of much else at the position. Between two projects in Walt Aikens and Cedric Thompson, the Dolphins could be forced to thrust someone onto the field too early if an injury should occur.

At 6'0" and 208 pounds, Thompson earned rave reviews for his physical tools, but NFL.com's Lance Zierlein notes that his fundamentals and mental tools need some work:

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Combination safety with above-average athletic traits and size, but plays with below-average instincts and isn't as trustworthy as teams would like on the back end. Thompson seems slow to see things on tape and uses his athleticism to make up for it. If he can be trained to recognize and react more quickly, he has a shot to make a roster.

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He won't be able to rely on those physical gifts in the NFL, but if nothing else, he's making a good impression on his coaches for his work ethic and commitment to improving.

As head coach Joe Philbin explained to Surya Fernandez of Fox Sports Florida: 

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We like him on tape, on film. We liked him when he came in for his 30 visit. It's very early, but his professionalism, the way he goes about his business. He's a guy that finishes drills, listens well, follows directions, wants to do things the way you coach it. Obviously there are a lot of things to correct, but I think he's shown those attributes that we thought he had, but you never quite know until you get him.

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Thompson and Aikens could be battling it out for one roster spot, but there's no reason the rookie fifth-round draft pick couldn't make a case for the job. 

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained via team news release.