The Miami Dolphins begin their 2019 preseason on Thursday against the Falcons but which players will be in focus for the Fins?
Transition is the name of the game for the Miami Dolphins entering the 2019 season. Brian Flores takes over for Adam Gase as head coach, Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick enter the fold at quarterback with Ryan Tannehill now gone and much of their roster has been turned over throughout the offseason. The hope is a fresh start for the franchise.
Due to the period of transition, not much success is expected for the Dolphins in 2019. What the team and fans should be looking for, though, are glimmers of hope about what could be in the future. That includes Flores’ direction, Rosen’s prowess and any players that could potentially step up and stand out.
That all begins on Thursday, Aug. 8 as Miami kicks off the preseason with a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. This will be the first game action under the direction of Flores and there will be plenty of things for everyone to keep an eye on.
Specifically, these are three Miami Dolphins players worth focusing on in the first week of the 2019 NFL preseason.
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3. Preston Williams, WR
Preston Williams’ college career was quite tumultuous as he was forced to transfer from Tennessee following a domestic violence arrest. That led to him also not being invited to the NFL Combine and subsequently going undrafted before landing with the Dolphins.
While that may be so, the talent of Williams is clear. In his lone season playing for Colorado State in 2018, the wide receiver caught 96 passes for 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year, proving to be an immense weapon with his 6-4, 210-pound frame. And though his athleticism was questioned after his pro day, his film shows he may have more play speed than that.
The top of Miami’s receiver depth chart seems relatively set with DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson, as well as Jakeem Grant. Beyond that, though, there could be a battle for any remaining roster spots for the position. If Williams can show up big in the preseason, he could earn his shot to make Miami’s 53-man roster or, perhaps, land somewhere else if he doesn’t stick with the Dolphins.
2. Charles Harris, EDGE
When the Dolphins used their 2017 first-round pick on Charles Harris, their hope was that the Missouri product could be the next big thing at edge rusher in the NFL. With the way he flashed on film, it certainly seemed like that was in the cards. But through two seasons with the Dolphins, things have turned out differently.
In 27 career games played, Harris actually has more offsides penalties (4) than sacks (3). That’s not exactly what you want to see from a first-round pick.
It’s hard to say whether or not Harris will see much time in the first week of the preseason but he should. Flores needs to get the third-year player as many reps as possible both to try and get him up to speed and to see if he has any more upside left in the tank or if he needs to be written off as a bust, more or less.
1. Josh Rosen, QB
This is the correct answer for the biggest name to watch for the Dolphins in Preseason Week 1 and throughout the exhibition contests. After trading for Rosen this offseason (sending a late-second-round pick to Arizona during the draft), Miami is trying to hit the reset button with their franchise but also do so in an unconventional way — betting on the value of getting a first-round caliber quarterback in exchange for a Day 2 pick.
There’s no question that Rosen was abysmal with the Cardinals but Arizona’s roster wasn’t doing him many favors. That’s not to say the Dolphins will either but Miami does offer him a bit more stability with Brian Flores taking over and more established weaponry at his disposal.
Safe bets should be placed on Ryan Fitzpatrick being the starter to begin the regular season. However, these preseason looks at Rosen will be invaluable as we get a look at how he’s picking up his new system, how he’s progressing as a player and what flashes of upside he has in the tank. This will be the first glance at that since joining Miami.