Miami Dolphins 2017: Cornerback preview

The Miami Dolphins went all out defense in this past years draft but corner wasn’t addressed until the third round. With questions surrounding the teams depth and potential starters, Miami is either going to be really good, average, or bad.

Yes I know what I just did there. I left myself an out. Why? Simply put there are too many questions surrounding the teams secondary. At their best Miami’s corners could be very good. Last year Byron Maxwell responded to his benching with a very solid season that saw him near the top of the league in deep ball protection.

At the same time, the defensive corners could struggle and if that happens, well, it will be a long season.

Byron Maxwell: After starting the season looking far more like he did with the Eagles, Maxwell took his benching in favor of Tony Lippett like a professional. When injuries allowed him back into the starter unit, he came back and attacked. Maxwell’s ended his season strong and there is no reason to believe that he will not continue that success as he enters his 2nd off-season in this system. A system that seems to fit him more.

Xavien Howard: Howard’s rookie season seemed to never get going as nagging injuries kept him off the field. The Dolphins believe that Howard can be great and a cornerstone block of their defense. If Howard can reach that potential the Dolphins will have a tough secondary unit.

Tony Lippett: The converted WR seems to be doing everything right in terms of progressing. Lippett is doing well on special teams but it’s the strides he is making at corner that has the Dolphins coaching staff looking towards the future.

Bobby McCain: McCain is developing nicely as well and each year he takes forward steps. The Dolphins would like to see him develop a little quicker but for now he provides solid depth with starting experience.

Walt Aikens: Aikens started his career as a safety, then moved to corner, then back to safety and now appears as though he will end up back at corner. He has done well but not great but under this coaching staff he should blossom.

Jordan Lucas: Lucas is still a project but the Dolphins believe in his developmental promise for now.  It will be interesting to watch Lucas in training camp to see what he learned from last year that he is able to carry over into this training camp.

Cordrea Tankersley: The 3rd round rookie has a lot of expectations on him entering the season. He won’t need to start right away but Miami really needs his run stopping ability so he should see plenty of time. He needs to work on some of his coverage skills and be more aggressive against bigger receivers.

Larry Hope and Torry McTyer: On the outside looking and it’s going to be harder for them because the Dolphins will likely add a corner sometime through training camp if anyone gets banged up.