Dolphins 2016 Cornerbacks Preview: Byron Maxwell
By Jack Scharr
The Dolphins traded for Byron Maxwell this offseason from the Eagles. They are hopeful that he can be the leader and dynamic player at corner.
Cornerback: Byron Maxwell
The Miami Dolphins traded for Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso this offseason to be leaders on their defense. New Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph will be implementing a press cover defense and Byron Maxwell will fit that scheme perfectly. He is the ideal size and has experience playing press from Seattle. The Dolphins needed a strong veteran corner to replace Brent Grimes and they expect Maxwell to be that player
More from Dolphins News
- Tua Tagovailoa practicing with teammates is everything a leader does
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
2015 Review
The Eagles signed Byron Maxwell to a six-year, $63 million dollar contract with $25 million guaranteed last season. He was a big name free agent coming from Seattle’s Legion of Boom and the Eagles were hoping to create their own. Maxwell was asked to shadow top receivers in man coverage and shut down one side of the defense. He ended up underperforming so much, and had such a large contract, that the new regime decided to ship him out.
Maxwell came from a press zone defense in Seattle to play for the Eagles man coverage defense. He was asked to do what he had never done in Seattle but be just as productive. As a result, Maxwell was often burned and looked out of place. He had a major drop off in production and was seen as one of the offseason’s biggest free agent busts.
2015 Stats
Started 14 games with 53 total tackles, 10 passes defended, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles and one recovered.
2016 Preview
Byron Maxwell should return to his Seattle form with the Miami Dolphins. He will be returning to a press zone scheme under Vance Joseph and will be allowed to do what he excels at. The Dolphins will use his press coverage abilities that were under utilized in Philedelphia and put him in situations to be successful. Maxwell will not have the great cast around him that he had in Seattle, but he will have a great safety in Reshad Jones and be able to bring along young guys like Xavien Howard and Tony Lippett.
With Reshad Jones providing help over the top, Maxwell won’t have to be worried about getting beat and look to lock up receivers with strong press coverage. He will have a safety net in Miami that he didn’t have in Philadelphia and will succeed because of it. The Miami Dolphins got a solid starter at corner for only swapping first round picks with the Eagles and will be praised for the move next year.
2016 Predicted Stats
60 tackles, 4 interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, 14 passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Previous Teams
Seattle Seahawks 2011-2014, Philadelphia Eagles 2015