NFL Preseason Preview: Grading the Miami Dolphins' Rookies

The Miami Dolphins kick off their 2011 preseason tomorrow night against the Atlanta Falcons, and most seem predictably empathetic. 

After all, the preseason is usually dismissed as a watered-down product with no meaning or value. But that is not the case—at least, not for the true football fan.

Sure, exhibition games can bore, but there's nothing better than watching a fresh batch of rookies slip on a Dolphins jersey for the first time and give the fanbase a glimpse of the future. Tomorrow night, the Dolphins 2011 draft class will make its debut, and if training camp reports prove true, they could bring some serious electricity to the roster.

But before these six youngsters make their unofficial Dolphins debut, let's catch up with their training camp progress and hand out some grades. Just keep in mind that expectations for a first-round pick vary from those of a seventh-round pick, and the grades reflect that.  

Mike Pouncey

Snapping issues marred Mike Pouncey's senior season at Florida, but he appeared to have shored up his issues by the end of the season.

However, old ghosts are coming back to haunt him, reports Andrew Carter of the Sun Sentinel: 

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"A day after having one of his best days of camp, rookie C Mike Pouncey struggled on Wednesday. Working out of the shotgun, several of his snaps were high or wide, and he was also part of a fumbled exchange."

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Still, aside from some wild snaps, all reports have been positive. Pouncey looks like a shoo-in to start at center, and his technique and athleticism are up to par, but he must shore up those snapping issues.  

Grade: B

Daniel Thomas

Despite lofty expectations, running back Daniel Thomas failed to make an early splash at Dolphins camp.

But as camp progresses, Thomas is slowly showing why Miami traded up to draft him in the second round—and proving that he might be able to shoulder the team's workhorse load. 

On Aug. 7, Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel tweeted: 

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"I'm FINALLY seeing the physicality that Daniel Thomas brings. You can tell he's gonna be hard to bring down."

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Thomas proceeded to catch a touchdown pass during Miami's first intra-squad scrimmage, and Tony Sparano has been impressed by the two-time Big 12 rushing champion's hands and intelligence.

However, Sparano also told Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post that Thomas must improve his blocking, so there is clearly plenty of work to be done. 

Grade: B

Clyde Gates

For those of you who may have missed it, Miami's fourth-round draft pick, Edmond Gates, actually goes by "Clyde."

At the rate he is playing, everybody will know Gates' name by the end of camp. 

The 6'1" wide receiver was drafted to become the Dolphins' primary deep threat. Even though Gates, who played his college ball at I-AA Abilene Christian, must endure a learning curve, he has impressed thus far. 

At an Aug. 4 practice, Gates impressed Omar Kelly, who tweeted: 

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"I really like this batch of Dolphins WRs. I was amazed at how easy it was for Clyde Gates to get behind CBs during 1-on-1s. WOW."

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Kelly admits that Gates has struggled with drops at times and must fight to overcome that learning curve, but the young wideout has received ringing endorsements from both Sean Smith and Vontae Davis.

Plus, Gates is currently slated to return kicks.

Grade: A- 

Charles Clay

To expect anything more than minor contribution from a sixth-round draft pick is unfair, but Charles Clay seems to have his eyes set on a major role. 

Tony Sparano has plugged Clay—who played h-back at Tulsa—in at tight end, fullback and h-back. Learning three positions has been a daunting task, but not one Clay cannot handle, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported. 

According to Omar Kelly, Clay has been taking first-team reps at fullback, which suggests he might be pushing incumbent Lousaka Polite for the starting job. Polite was largely unimpressive in 2010, so Clay has a serious shot at earning a major role.

Grade: B+  

Jimmy Wilson

If it's unfair to expect contributions from a sixth-round draft pick, it's completely absurd to expect anything from a seventh-round pick, right?

Well, yes, but Jimmy Wilson does not appear interested in conventional logic. 

Wilson, who was famously accused and later acquitted of murder, might be the single biggest surprise of training camp. Rotating between cornerback and safety, he has caught Omar Kelly's eye. Kelly said Wilson, "based on expectation level," has been one of the best players in camp.

Despite his early standout play, Wilson does not figure to be anything more than a special teams ace this season. Regardless, it's so refreshing and encouraging to see a late-round pick shine like Wilson has, and he could become a big-time contributor in a few years.

Grade: A

Frank Kearse

Because Clyde Gates, Charles Clay and Jimmy Wilson have all enjoyed such great success through the early stages of camp, it's only fair that Miami's other late-round draft pick, defensive tackle Frank Kearse, struggle.

Unfortunately, struggle might be an understatement.

Omar Kelly tweeted that Kearse has been "invisible," and he "couldn't even tell you what he looks like, or his number."

And that's about the only news about Kearse out there. 

Grade: F