Miami Dolphins need tight-end help
By Brian Miller
When the hammer came down on Saturday, the Miami Dolphins opted to carry only two tight ends on their roster. That’s a problem. Not because they need to have more than two tight-ends but because Jordan Cameron has a history of concussions and the team really can’t afford to enter a game with only Dion Sims should Cameron go down.
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In the over all scheme of the roster, tight-end is still only a small problem. The starters are good. In fact they can be a very potent one-two punch in Bill Lazor’s offense. Two tight end sets can cause fits for opposing defenses especially when both of those TE’s are solid contributors in the passing game.
Over the course of the last two seasons, Dion Sims continues to get better and Ryan Tannehill is developing a trust in Sims. Sims is a good pass catcher but isn’t great, yet. He is an adequate blocker but still not a player that the Dolphins can rely upon every snap to stay in and block. Tannehill’s lone fumble this pre-season came on a strip sack from Dion Sims’ blocking. Conversely Cameron is much better at blocking but he is also a big time threat in the passing game.
So where do the Dolphins turn? It’s realistic to see the Dolphins add Jake Stoneburner and Tim Semisch to the practice squad. I’m not 100% sure if Stoneburner is eligible. More likely the team will look at the free agents currently available and at least one might catch the eye of the Dolphins brass.
There are a few names that could interest the Miami Dolphins. Here are a few who could help the team but each come with their own drawbacks.
Joseph Fauria – Fauria was released by the Detroit Lions after only two seasons. Fauria had a very good rookie season but fell in 2014. The Lions, despite Fauria’s rookie season, still felt the need to add Eric Ebron in the 2014 NFL Draft’s first round. Fauria is a decent passing game option but he needs to work on his blocking. With the Dolphins having two pass catching tight-ends, Fauria doesn’t really give the Dolphins something they don’t already have and need to have a blocker more than a pass catcher.
Dante Rosario – Rosario has nine years of NFL service and has spent the last two seasons in Chicago. Rosario isn’t a pass catching tight end but more of a blocker. That’s something that might interest the Dolphins but it’s hard to see the Dolphins paying a veteran minimum contract to a guy who won’t see the field that often and then only as a blocking tight end. Seems more of a waste of money.
Brian Leonhardt – Leonhardt is a player that the Dolphins might take a look at. He is raw but is well rounded in both blocking and pass catching. There is no question he needs work but after spending the last two seasons with the Oakland Raiders both on the active roster and the practice squad, he has some value and comes cheap. There is potential and upside to Leonhardt but he isn’t a player that would step in immediately if Cameron or Sims went down with injury. He is still a project and nothing more.
Wrap-up
The Dolphins best option is to bring back Stoneburner and place on the PS if they can. They can later add him to the roster if they need to. Tim Semisch is also a player that they should consider bringing back. The reality here is that there just isn’t enough available on the free agent market that warrants both the money and roster spot. Miami needs to address the position there is no question but where that one player will come from is anyone’s guess. Again the best option is to stay at home with the players they had in camp.
I would be interested in knowing your thoughts on where the Dolphins should look for a 3rd tight end. Let us know in the comments.