Miami Dolphins “Breakout Player of the Year” who is it?
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins want to know who this years “breakout player of the year” is. Asking those of us who run websites to decide, the answers are now revealed.
Who is the Dolphins player who has “broken” out this year? It is a tough question for certain. Players like Xavien Howard, Kenyan Drake, and even kicker Codey Parkey were mentioned by several writers of Dolphins fan sites.
There is little question that Kenyan Drake has shown reasons for Miami’s decision to trade Jay Ajayi. Drake has played exceptionally well since taking over the primary runner duties on offense. Of course the injury to Damien Williams catapulted him to the spotlight.
Xavien Howard has been special the last three weeks of the season and his four interceptions and one pick-six is nothing to scoff at. Howard has had a switch turned on inside and his play has been fantastic. Shedding a potential bust tag, Howard is starting to find his rhythm which means there is a lot more to expect.
For me, I have been impressed with the play of first round pick Charles Harris. For two reasons. One, I didn’t like the pick back in April and thought the Dolphins could have done better but seeing how he has progressed through the season and is taking on more reps is becoming impressive.
More from Phin Phanatic
- 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
Harris is consistently applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks and while he doesn’t have the sack count you would hope from a defensive end, his pressure is giving the secondary an easier job. Harris is getting more playing time now with the injury to Andre Branch and the IR placement of William Hayes. He is making the most of those opportunities and his future in Miami looks very good.
Hopefully those pressures will soon become sacks and it appears as though he could become the eventual replacement for Cameron Wake.
To see what the other fan-site writers think, visit MiamiDolphins.com and read the Voice of the Fan.