Dolphins Dion Sims 2016 preview
By Josh Pickett
Entering the final season of his rookie contract Dion Sims will be looking to prove he is a starting caliber tight end in the NFL. Will he do enough to get an extension from Miami?
Tight End: Dion Sims
Dion Sims is a member of the Jeff Ireland era and a 2013 Dolphins draft class which has only Dallas Thomas, Jelani Jenkins and himself remaining in Miami. In Sim’s tenure with the Dolphins he has not had a real chance to start at TE. When he entered the league Charles Clay was just beginning to break out and after Clay’s departure to the Bills the Dolphins felt it necessary to find a better replacement and retained Jordan Cameron in free agency.
In the three seasons Sims has played in the NFL he has 11 starts for 48 receptions, 443 yards and 4 touchdowns. His best statistical year was 2014 when he had 24 catches for 284 yards and 2 td’s. When given the chance, Sims has demonstrated that he is a solid player and can be relied on when needed.
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2015 review.
Last year there was a lot of hype about Dion Sims in the preseason suggesting that 2015 would be his breakout year. In week one against the Redskins, Sims was targeted in the back corner of the end zone and while attempting to make a leaping grab, he landed on his head and endured a concussion. Sims never seemed to be a part of the offensive focus after that. Most of 2015 he saw the field in 2 TE formations and when Jordan Cameron needed to catch a breather.
2015 stats
4 starts – (13 games played) – 18 catches, 127 yards and 1 touchdown.
2016 preview
There is reason to believe that 2016 will be Dion Sims best season yet. As I detailed in the Jordan Cameron article, Adam Gase likes to use a TE heavy attack in his offense. While Gase’s offenses have statistically benefitted the starting TE more than the backup, Jordan Cameron has a long injury history and Dion Sims will get more opportunities this year then he ever has before.
After Martellus Bennett went down in Chicago last year, Adam Gase turned Bennett’s backup (Zach Miller) into a fantasy football monster. Gase proved he is not afraid to call on his backups to perform at a high level.
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Dion Sims has shown he is a fringe starting caliber in the NFL with his skill sets. He is more of an “old school” or traditional TE who does a lot of things well, but isn’t exceptional at anything. He has great size at 6’4, 268 and is a dependable blocker. He has reliable hands and has made some impressive catches in his time in Miami.
The biggest knock on his game is he not as fast as most modern NFL tight ends. In a game that is increasingly dependent on spreading the field with speed and wide formations, Sims lacks the explosiveness that teams and fans desire. Systematically he would fit best on a team that likes to run the football with 2 TE sets and occasionally sneaks their big men out to catch a few passes.
Because of his size and leaping ability Sims could certainly gain traction as a redzone threat this season. Dion Sims reminds me a ton of former Miami Dolphin David Martin (6’4, 264) and he could easily produce as a low ceiling starting TE if called upon.
In 2016 Dion Sims’ production will depend on his opportunities and his opportunity will be handcuffed to Jordan Cameron’s health. I am convinced Dion Sims will have his best season so far in 2016.
Previous teams
Drafted by the Miami Dolphins – 4th round, 2013 draft