Are the Dolphins thinking about making a defensive switch?

[Pappy13]

I jokingly asked in the draft thread whether the Dolphins were switching to a 4-3, but the more I think about it, I think that's a possibility at least in certain situations and I think their draft class kinda reflects that thinking. Here's some things to consider.

• Miami chose 3 defensive tackles in the draft.
• Miami chose a CB that's more suited to press coverage in the draft.
• Miami chose a Safety that tends to play more on the line of scrimage than dropping into coverage in the draft.
• Miami chose no LB's in the draft.
• Miami picked up a 4th DT as a UDFA and only 1 LB

On top of that both Grier and McDaniel have mentioned wanting to get bigger and tougher. Also consider that Buffalo is more of a running team than a passing team. Even when Allen drops to pass, he's a big threat to run the ball and some of his biggest plays come from him running the ball rather than passing it.

I think it's possible that you'll see some 4-3 alignments with 2 big defensive tackles in the game especially on running downs and perhaps when playing the Bills. You might also see less 2 deep zones and more having a safety walk up to the line of scrimmage and blitz or support the run. The idea being to stop the run especially on short yardage and push the pocket up into the face of the QB and make it tougher for them to escape up the middle of the pocket.

Thoughts?

[CF DolFan]

The fact we just drafted 2 guys who can play nose guard says no. Anthony Weaver likes the 3-4. If I had to guess I think Kenneth Grant will be the new DT and Jordan Phillips will be the nose guard. Both great run stoppers but Grant has the ability to push the pocket up the middle.

[Pappy13]

Whatever they are doing...mark me down as a fan.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/miami-dolphins-draft-focus-no-222201598.html

[masterfins]

They were weak against the run and wanted to bolster that, I don't think they are making a big scheme change.  Not to mention putting upfront pressure on the QB will help the secondary.

[Downunder Dolphan]

• Miami chose a CB that's more suited to press coverage in the draft.

Thoughts?

Miami drafted a CB that I think will struggle to make the team, even as a special teamer: his scouting report and highlights package are very underwhelming to say the least...

[masterfins]

Miami drafted a CB that I think will struggle to make the team, even as a special teamer: his scouting report and highlights package are very underwhelming to say the least...

I agree somewhat, one of the picks I didn't like.  His ceiling is becoming a Kader Kahou, and I don't think he'll be that good.

[Pappy13]

Miami drafted a CB that I think will struggle to make the team, even as a special teamer: his scouting report and highlights package are very underwhelming to say the least...

I think it depends on what you are asking him to do. If you are asking him to go be on an island then yeah that's not going to work, but if you are asking him to play press coverage and essentially trying to keep the WR from getting a free release or be a quick outlet and support the run, then maybe he can do that. I think you are going to see some changes to the defense that Miami plays. More press coverage and less 2 deep zones. More blitzing to get pressure on the QB up the middle to get the ball out of his hand quickly. I think the Dolphins want to get back to a little of what worked so well a couple years ago with a lot of blitzing and QB pressure because frankly there were too many open wide receivers last year even with Ramsey and Holland on the field.

[Downunder Dolphan]

I agree somewhat, one of the picks I didn't like.  His ceiling is becoming a Kader Kahou, and I don't think he'll be that good.

I don't see Marshall Jr being anywhere near that good. For a guy who played as an outside CB his career, he's the sort of player I don't want to see isolated like that at NFL level.

When I looked at his "highlights" package (which omitted his 2 whole INTs at college level, over a career of 4 years where he started a lot) it's pretty dire stuff...

He gets beaten off the line often and he grabs the jersey and pulls it beyond the first 5 yards... almost every single play. For all those who complained that X, Ramsey, Stephon Gilmore (guilty as charged ) were the worst grabbers in the game... we're gonna have a new contender going up against a LOT quicker WR at the best level.

His biggest knock (as well was his grabbing) was tackling - which didn't look too bad on tape for his best efforts. That makes me worried about the worst ones that didn't make it.

I see a special teams player at best, practice squad more likely, or just out of the NFL... and this was our highest picked CB in the draft if you hadn't heard.  

[CF DolFan]

Kader Kohou's strengths are his tackling ability and his defense against the run. He's known for blowing a big tackle against Buffalo but typically he is one of our better tacklers. His play in the middle is solid but he struggles outside sometimes. Overall he is a decent player when allowed to play to his strengths.

[Pappy13]

I don't see Marshall Jr being anywhere near that good. For a guy who played as an outside CB his career, he's the sort of player I don't want to see isolated like that at NFL level.

When I looked at his "highlights" package (which omitted his 2 whole INTs at college level, over a career of 4 years where he started a lot) it's pretty dire stuff...

He gets beaten off the line often and he grabs the jersey and pulls it beyond the first 5 yards... almost every single play. For all those who complained that X, Ramsey, Stephon Gilmore (guilty as charged ) were the worst grabbers in the game... we're gonna have a new contender going up against a LOT quicker WR at the best level.

His biggest knock (as well was his grabbing) was tackling - which didn't look too bad on tape for his best efforts. That makes me worried about the worst ones that didn't make it.

I see a special teams player at best, practice squad more likely, or just out of the NFL... and this was our highest picked CB in the draft if you hadn't heard.  

Well it's only a first impression and only OTA's but it still sounds like the Dolphins are a lot higher on Marshall than you are. I'm not sure where you got that about his tackling either as he graded out quite well. He's more of a press corner which fits right in with the Dolphins desire to get more physical at the line. I don't see him being put on an island, I see him being asked to jam the guy off the line and then pass him off to the 2nd level coverage and support the run.

Dolphins Rookie Is Impressing Virtually EVERYONE

[Downunder Dolphan]

Well it's only a first impression and only OTA's but it still sounds like the Dolphins are a lot higher on Marshall than you are. I'm not sure where you got that about his tackling either as he graded out quite well. He's more of a press corner which fits right in with the Dolphins desire to get more physical at the line. I don't see him being put on an island, I see him being asked to jam the guy off the line and then pass him off to the 2nd level coverage and support the run.

Dolphins Rookie Is Impressing Virtually EVERYONE

How far down the well did you go down the well to come up with this residue of a story?

What exactly has come up in this blog with any FILM to counter anything I that said earlier? That's because that was literally footage of his on field time you can look up and view, his whole College highlights package... and in contrast there's absolutely zero film here.
 
Is it impressing EVERYONE. Is it impressing ANYONE? Has he won an orange jersey yet?

[Spider-Dan]

For all those who complained that X, Ramsey, Stephon Gilmore (guilty as charged ) were the worst grabbers in the game... we're gonna have a new contender going up against a LOT quicker WR at the best level.

You literally just listed three All-Pro CBs.

If Marshall is anywhere near as "bad" as them, he will be one of the best picks in Miami Dolphins history.

[Pappy13]

How far down the well did you go down the well to come up with this residue of a story?

I just happen to come across that on Youtube which tends to show me more Miami Dolphins stuff than the average NFL fan. I knew that you were pretty negative on him here and I just thought maybe everyone deserved a chance to hear a little different analysis. They don't show tape on him but their analysis is based off tape on him just like yours is.

Here's another example for Storm Duck, this has a lot of tape on Duck from last year. I think Marshall and Duck might be pretty similar players and both have a shot at starting in press coverage situations. Not sure how much we'll see of that, probably a lot depends on injuries and things like that, but I do think that the Dolphins want to get a little more aggressive on the corners. If the Dolphins pass rush is decent and there's a lot of reasons to suspect it might be, then I think this type of coverage can work. I for one was not overly impressed with Ramsey last year.

Film Breakdown: Storm Duck Expectations in Year 2

[Downunder Dolphan]

https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/cornerback-competition-opens-door-for-isaiah-johnson-01jxt3jnpdkw

Some possible positivity to come from the workouts, even if it is a bit of offseason fluff that may just build up expectations that amount to nothing (like all of Noah Igbinoghene's offseason film highlights)

Isaiah Johnson at 6-3 and 205 pounds in his second year projects as the sort of physical corner I thought we really needed (and is possibly why we passed on Zah Frazier in the draft, who looked to have very similar proportions and length, plus a brief but very impressive highlights film).

[CF DolFan]

Regardless of what we might have, I don't there are too many people who do not think we need DB help. Our defensive backfield is NOT good.