10 players Miami Dolphins need for playoff run

Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Walt Aikens (35) reacts to a special teams turnover in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

WALT AIKENS/MICHAEL THOMAS

Louis Delmas is gone for the season which puts the onus of safety next to Reshad Jones on the shoulders of Walt Aikens or Michael Thomas. In pre-season game two neither safety showed a tremendous amount. In fact both struggled individually. Thomas was my player to watch in 2015 earlier this year but so far hasn’t shown what I expected to see.

Aikens is entering his 2nd season and the Dolphins believe that he can be a big contributor from the safety position. His biggest obstacle right now is experience because he lacks it. Last year he too was injured as was Delmas and Thomas but this season both safeties need to not only stay healthy but impact the secondary unit.

You can’t really discuss one without the other as both players are pivotal to the deep secondary success. We will simply call them, “them”. Run support is one component of their jobs but more important will be how well they can support the cornerbacks and that is where they struggled Saturday night.

The key part of this is not allowing receivers to get behind them. Aikens has shown that he can hit and that is his forte but come Sunday’s he needs to protect as well and while jarring the ball loose is important, being in the right position at the right time is imperative to his success opposite Jones. The same can be said about Thomas as well.

The Dolphins haven’t settled on a starter just yet but indications are that it will go to Aikens. While that may prove accurate whomever doesn’t start will still see plenty of playing time and they need to keep that position held.