Dolphins Q&A: Which rookie will have biggest impact? Will Miami still add another key veteran?

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Omar Kelly answer questions from readers.

Q: If you had to guess, which rookie would you say will make the biggest contributions to the team this year? — @ayopyr on Twitter

A: Channing Tindall seems like the easy, obvious choice — and there aren’t many rookies to choose from.

He was the Dolphins’ top-drafted rookie, albeit at pick No. 102 in the compensatory portion of the third round, and he filled a position of need at inside linebacker. The Dolphins still have Jerome Baker, Elandon Roberts and Duke Riley there — Roberts and Riley who were free agents this offseason and re-signed — but it was a position many figured Miami would look to upgrade, yet the team went with continuity instead of an outside free agent.

This could open up an opportunity for Tindall if he picks up the defense quickly, especially with how the Dolphins enjoy the flexibility of Baker, being able to shift him to outside linebacker for certain matchups.

The only other rookie taken earlier than the seventh round is wide receiver Erik Ezukanma. While the coaching staff is high on him, it’s hard to imagine him contributing much in 2022 given the Dolphins’ current depth on the receiving corps. Granted, one of the traits they like from him is his ability to make contested catches, so with a bigger frame at 6-foot-2, he could play a role that isn’t so much the game of the smaller, speedy Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, especially if Cedrick Wilson stays in the slot and Preston Williams doesn’t hold his weight as a reliable possession receiver for Miami.

In the seventh round, the Dolphins took outside linebacker Cameron Goode and quarterback Skylar Thompson. Thompson will be the third-string quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater. Goode’s chances of seeing defensive snaps took a hit once the Dolphins picked up veteran Melvin Ingram.

Among undrafted free agents, offensive tackle Kellen Diesch received the most guaranteed money, a sign that the Dolphins see a potential role for him as a reserve lineman. Last year, guard/tackle Robert Jones made the active roster as an undrafted rookie.

Tindall could really make a mark for the Dolphins if he can be a quality special teams contributor. The same can be said of Goode.

Q: What position do you feel needs another veteran addition to take another step? (Challenge is it can’t be center or LB) — @CXC_5 on Twitter

A: Center was the first position I thought of earlier this offseason, but if Connor Williams is working as an option there while Miami also has Michael Deiter and hasn’t made a move by this point, it’s starting to look like they may not make a free agent acquisition there.

Edge rusher would’ve probably been the other non-offensive-line choice, but now Melvin Ingram is on this team. Like Jaelan Phillips, he figures to play more as an outside linebacker standing up.

Which leads me to believe defensive end could be the pick here. After Emmanuel Ogbah, it’s Daeshon Hall as that true 3-4 end playing with two defensive tackles, and Hall hasn’t played an NFL regular-season game since 2019.

Sure, if Ogbah got hurt, there are rotations the Dolphins could put in place. Play Phillips strictly with his hand in the ground; do something similar with Ingram; increase Adam Butler’s reps and play the 295-pounder at defensive end. But having a viable backup for Ogbah could be an option.

With Eric Rowe on as a safety that could rotate in or back up the young starting tandem of Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones, the Dolphins appear fine there between him and Sheldrick Redwine. If Miami were to cut Rowe for salary cap purposes, a veteran safety is plausible, but maybe the team only feels comfortable doing that if Verone McKinley proves capable as an undrafted rookie.

One can also feel free to think outside the box with this one, considering it surprised many when the Dolphins picked up Sony Michel, given the running back depth already on the roster.

Have a question?

Email David Furones, or tag @OmarKelly or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.