Three greatest surprises from Dolphins’ preliminary depth chart

Miami Dolphins have released their first official depth chart of the 2020 NFL season and, generally speaking, there weren’t too many surprises along the way. The Dolphins’ offensive line appears to be set — with rookies Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley locking down starting jobs entering Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Add in Ryan Fitzpatrick commandeering the starting quarterback position and everything appeared to remain fairly in line with what training camp reports seemed to indicate for the Dolphins.” data-reactid=”22″ type=”text”>The Miami Dolphins agree with launched their first respectable depth chart of the 2020 NFL season and, in total speaking, there weren’t too many surprises alongside the way. The Dolphins’ offensive line appears to be like to be design — with rookies Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley locking down starting jobs coming into Week 1 against the Unique England Patriots. Add in Ryan Fitzpatrick commandeering the starting quarterback design and the entirety gave the impression to stay somewhat according to what practicing camp experiences appeared as if it would price for the Dolphins.

But that isn’t to claim this depth chart didn’t offer on the least some surprises. Here were the three greatest curveballs that Miami’s depth chart supplied coming into Week 1.

Mike Gesicki (88) catches the winning touchdown behind New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports” data-reactid=”40″ type=”text”>Dec 29, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins tight discontinue Mike Gesicki (88) catches the winning touchdown in the attend of Unique England Patriots sturdy security Patrick Chung (23) with less than a minute to movement in the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Necessary Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports actions

Mike Gesicki as TE2

Durham Smythe, starting tight end of the Miami Dolphins? This was a bit of a surprise, but then again you have to consider the format of the depth chart. The Dolphins’ depth chart was listed in a traditional ’21 personnel’ presentation: with a tight end, running back and fullback all getting credited with a “1st-string” role. The Dolphins aren’t going to run a lot of 21 personnel (or maybe they will, but we shouldn’t expect it). Durham Smythe is also a better blocker than Gesicki, so traditional tight end reps will rightfully go to Smythe this his hand in the dirt over Gesicki.” data-reactid=”46″ type=”text”>Durham Smythe, starting tight discontinue of the Miami Dolphins? This turned into a bit of a shock, nonetheless on the assorted hand it will most likely well presumably be critical to steal into consideration the layout of the depth chart. The Dolphins’ depth chart turned into listed in a aged ’21 personnel’ presentation: with a factual discontinue, working attend and fullback all getting credited with a “1st-string” position. The Dolphins aren’t going to skedaddle fairly heaps of 21 personnel (and even they’ll, nonetheless we shouldn’t ask it). Durham Smythe is moreover a bigger blocker than Gesicki, so aged tight discontinue reps will rightfully hump to Smythe this his hand in the filth over Gesicki.

But in case you judge that means Gesicki won’t play on Sunday, bet again. We’d be willing to bet Gesicki gobbles up more reps than Smythe in Week 1 no matter what the depth chart reads.

Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) on the field against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports” data-reactid=”64″ type=”text”>Dec 8, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive discontinue Shaq Lawson (90) on the field against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2nd quarter at Unique Generation Discipline. Necessary Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports actions

Shaq Lawson at OLB

Lawson turned into always going to launch up. However the query turned into whether or no longer he would play internal when the Dolphins dedicated to playing extraordinary entrance defenses. Now we know (or on the least we judge we attain) that Lawson will be given stand-up tasks alongside alongside with his reps alongside with his hand in the filth as a putrid discontinue. We shouldn’t ask to glimpse too powerful of Lawson dropping into coverage or transferring away from the twin carriageway of scrimmage, nonetheless we are capable of for certain ask to glimpse Lawson on the field a ton for the Dolphins’ protection.

Patrick Laird (42) runs with the ball and scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports” data-reactid=”83″ type=”text”>Aug 16, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins working attend Patrick Laird (42) runs with the ball and rankings a touchdown in the future of the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Necessary Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports actions

Patrick Laird RB4

Jordan Howard and Matt Breida — but to fall behind Myles Gaskin was a bit of a surprise when you consider the quality of tape both players put forth last season. Opportunities for the depth of Miami’s backfield figure to be limited unless injuries arise, but never the less Laird figured to have a role as a third-down player. And maybe he still will, but it was surprising to see him at the bottom of the pecking order for the Dolphins’ running back room.” data-reactid=”89″ type=”text”>‘The Intern’ appears to be like to be losing ground in the Dolphins’ backfield. It will calm shock nobody that Laird turned into in the attend of Jordan Howard and Matt Breida — nonetheless to descend in the attend of Myles Gaskin turned into a bit of a shock in case you judge in regards to the everyday of tape every gamers attach forth closing season. Opportunities for the depth of Miami’s backfield figure to be little unless accidents arise, nonetheless never the less Laird figured to agree with a position as a third-down player. And most certainly he calm will, nonetheless it turned into ravishing to glimpse him on the bottom of the pecking uncover for the Dolphins’ working attend room.