Miami Dolphins: 3 Early breakout candidates for 2019 season

2. Charles Harris, DE

One area where the Dolphins are going to see a tremendous change in terms of their 2018 roster and the 2019 roster is at defensive end. Not only is long-time edge staple Cameron Wake now a member of the Tennessee Titans but the Dolphins also traded Robert Quinn in a cap-space-creating move, sending the veteran pass-rusher to the Dallas Cowboys.

As a result of each of those events, the Dolphins will be looking for two new full-time starters at defensive end. That puts the spotlight squarely on 2017 first-round pick Charles Harris to come up with a big season as he comes into a bigger role in the Miami defense.

Injuries undoubtedly limited Harris in his second NFL season as he played in only 11 games. With that combined with the fact that he was a part of a platoon approach at defensive end, it was surely difficult for him to get into any kind of a rhythm. As such, it’s not wholly shocking that Harris has just three sacks and seven tackles for loss in 27 games played to this point in his career.

The big knock on Harris coming out of Missouri and, really, to this pointin his pro career has been his relative ineffectiveness as a down lineman on the edge. A guy who wins with speed and length, he seemed more in line for success as a stand-up pass rusher. Despite the Dolphins still using a 4-3 under Flores, the new coach’s arrival spells good things for Harris.

Though he will still need to improve with his hand in the dirt, Flores will undoubtedly utilize Harris in ways that maximize what he does best. That’s a Patriots specialty and one that will surely translate in Miami. As a result, Harris could well start to live up to his billing as a first-round selection.