The five best Miami Dolphins surprises of 2019…so far

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Brian Hoyer #2 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball and is tackled by Vince Biegel #47 of the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Brian Hoyer #2 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball and is tackled by Vince Biegel #47 of the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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The Miami Dolphins were expected to be a bad football team and it didn’t seem that many were players were destined to live beyond one season.

For the most part, many fans didn’t have high expectations heading into the 2019 season and even fewer believed that the Miami Dolphins would be able to find some highlights from this lost season, but we have.

Miami isn’t going to make the playoffs and surprise everyone but they have several players that have stepped up and look to be trending towards a longer future with the Dolphins than a one and done under this regime. That includes some players that have been here and were expected to leave.

Vince Biegel 

If you thought the trade for Biegel was a big win for the Dolphins then you obviously either spend way too much time watching film of players that no one else does or you are flat out lying.

Biegel was a simple trade. Unload a player with a high salary for another player to replace him. The Dolphins saw something in Biegal but it is hard to believe they expected to get what they have out of him.

Biegel has emerged as one of the stars and leaders on defense. He is an emotional leader who backs up his emotions with his play. He is a big reason why the Dolphins defense is playing as well as it is and it is growing likely that he will be a cornerstone  to the linebacker group moving beyond 2019.

Raekwon McMillan

McMillan was one of those players that many believed would be part of the final cuts this past off-season but through eight games McMillan has emerged as one of the best defenders on the team. McMillan has done a great job pairing with Jerome Baker and the aforementioned Biegal.

McMillan’s future looks very solid for the Dolphins. He is thriving in the Dolphins defensive system under Patrick Graham and as a result he has blossomed into a legit every down player.

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Evan Boehm

Another one of the Dolphins myriad of trades brought Boehm from the Colts. Boehm was initially expected to be a back-up to add depth but at the same time push and challenge the starters. Instead, Boehm stepped in and the Dolphins offensive line has steadily improved from week to week. If Boehm continues to play well, the Dolphins will have one less spot to fill on the offensive line.

Nik Needham

If we traveled back to mid and late August, many fans were shaking their heads and laughing every time Needham took the field. If he wasn’t getting flagged he was getting beat. Now, forced into playing given the rash of injuries, Needham has developed into a decent corner who is holding his own against receivers.

While he is far from being the outside corner Miami needs opposite Xavien Howard, he should continue to improve and would be an excellent depth player at the position in the future.

John Jenkins

Honestly, I’m not sure where Jenkins suddenly came from. He was released by the Giants and picked up by the Dolphins ahead of week one. Jenkins has played very well for the Dolphins especially in run defense.

Jenkins is splitting time but makes the most of his opportunities. He is giving the Dolphins a starting caliber defensive lineman that can play up and down the line. He can start and provide depth. Either way, after spending his seven NFL seasons on five different teams, he may have a more permanent home with the Dolphins.