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Miami Dolphins: Early 2018 starting lineup projections, defense

By Mark Morales-Smith

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 08: Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field for their game against the Tennessee Titans on October 8, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 08: Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field for their game against the Tennessee Titans on October 8, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 15: Reshad Jones #20 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after intercepting a pass intended for Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons in the final seconds with Xavien Howard #25 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 15: Reshad Jones #20 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after intercepting a pass intended for Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons in the final seconds with Xavien Howard #25 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Secondary

Xavien Howard, Reshad Jones, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Tony Lippett

This is another deep and tricky group to project this early. Howard and Jones are locks to start and I believe be near the top of the league at their positions — especially Jones, who we’ve seen play at an All-Pro level year after year despite the lack of recognition nationally. I believe Howard will continue to develop into a top corner in the NFL, the true CB1 the team has lacked since Brent Grimes left for Tampa.

Fitzpatrick is the wild card here. The 2018 first-round pick is as versatile as he is talented. He’s too gifted not to start, but he’s not a true safety. I fully anticipate him playing a ton of nickel corner this season when the team switches out of their base defense. This could lead to McDonald dropping back to safety and Fitz stepping up in coverage as a slot corner. We’ll have to see how that plays out because Bobby McCain is in that mix as well.

Next: NFL 2018: Ranking all 32 starting RBs

Opposite Howard, I expect Lippett to beat out Cordrea Tankersley. I just think Lippett is more talented. The obvious hurdle he needs to jump is that Achilles injury that cost him the 2017 season. I’m rolling the dice a bit assuming he’ll be back fully healthy this season.

With that said, assuming he is healthy he will be the starting corner and a major contributor. Lippett can cover and has impressive ball skills and playmaking ability. This will be a fun battle to watch and the secondary will be the strength of the team in 2018.

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