Miami Dolphins Training Camp: 3 Position Battles to Watch in 2022
The Brian Flores firing and subsequent lawsuit dominated the Miami Dolphins headlines at the end of the 2021 season. However, after hiring head coach Mike McDaniel, trading for Tyreek Hill, and adding several interesting players through the draft and free agency, the focus is back on the field. As Miami Dolphins training camp gets underway, here are three positional battles to watch closely.
Miami Dolphins Training Camp Info
Location: Baptist Health Training Complex, Miami Gardens, Florida
Rookies report: Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Veterans report: Tuesday, July 26, 2022
First game: vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, September 11, 1:00 p.m. EST
Battle No. 1: RB1 — Chase Edmonds vs. Raheem Mostert vs. Sony Michel vs. Myles Gaskin
The Miami Dolphins had few good options in the backfield in 2021. That’s one of the reasons the team finished 30th in the league in rushing. At Miami Dolphins training camp this season, the team has one of the deepest running back stables in the NFL.
But who will be RB1?
With four viable top-two RBs in the fold this season, head coach Mike McDaniel will have some decisions to make. The end result will likely be a two- or three-back time split.
The incumbent starter, Myles Gaskin, proved last season he’s best as a change of pace back. Same for Sony Michel, who’s played best with a partner or two.
That leaves Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert. While these two seem to have the talent to make the move to No. 1 back, neither has had the health over their careers to do so. Edmonds missed five games last season, and Mostert missed 16.
Plus, last year was the first time Edmonds ever had over 100 carries (116), and Mostert’s done it twice (137 in 2019 and 104 in 2020.
Michel might be the odd man out at the end of this Miami Dolphins training camp battle and give Mostert — who knows McDaniel from San Francisco — the early edge to start Week 1.
Battle No. 2: TE2 — Durham Smythe vs. Hunter Long vs. Adam Shaheen
For the last five seasons, Mike McDaniel has helped run an offensive with George Kittle at tight end. Mike Gesicki is a good player and the no-doubt starter in 2022, but he’s no Kittle. He’s also on the franchise tag, so the TE2 spot is a battle to watch for this season and for the future.
Three players are vying for the second tight end slot. Fifth-year pro Durham Smythe has improved every year, setting a career-high of 34 catches for 357 yards last season. The 6-foot-7, sixth-year pass-catcher Adam Shaheen has the physical tools, but the 2017 second-round pick of the Chicago Bears hasn’t lived up to his potential.
The most likely winner of the TE2 position — and possibly the TE of the future for the Dolphins — is 2021 third-round pick Hunter Long. He struggled in his rookie season as many rookie tight ends do, but if you squint real hard, the 6-foot-5, 253-pound Long has size, strength, speed, and hands that look a little like Kittle.
Battle No. 3: ILB — Channing Tindall vs. Jerome Baker vs. Elandon Roberts
Of the incredible trio of linebackers on the 2021 Georgia defense, Nakobe Dean was the leader, Quay Walker was the elite athlete, and Channing Tindall did the rest.
The Dolphins got a steal in the third round (their first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after the Tyreek Hill trade) with Tindall. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound LB with 4.47-second 40-yard dash speed has all the tools to be a longtime centerpiece of the defense.
Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts made 92 and 83 tackles last season, respectively, and will both push for the starting jobs. All three LBs will rotate this season, but the Dolphins have to hope Tindall steps up and grabs one of the spots for the next decade-plus.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference
