Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Miami Dolphins training camp preview: Underdog cornerbacks

By Matthew Stevens

DAVIE, FL - AUGUST 15: A Miami Dolphins helmet and pair of gloves sits on the field during the teams training camp on August 15, 2016 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
DAVIE, FL - AUGUST 15: A Miami Dolphins helmet and pair of gloves sits on the field during the teams training camp on August 15, 2016 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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Tae Hayes
FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 29: Tae Hayes #22 of the Miami Dolphins breaks up a pass intended for NKeal Harry #15 of the New England Patriots during the second quarter of a game at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

The Miami Dolphins made their secondary a focus of the 2020 off-season.

Tae Hayes

Bio

Hayes was very productive during his college career.  In four years at Appalachian State, Hayes had 138 tackles, 24 passes defended and 9 interceptions.

He went undrafted in 2019 but was signed by Jacksonville as a free agent.  Hayes was part of the Jaguars final cuts but was signed to their practice squad.  He was promoted to the active roster for one game before being waived again on December 12th.

This time Hayes didn’t make it through waivers and the Dolphins signed him the next day.  With the Dolphins secondary depleted, Hayes saw action in two games and logged 7 tackles and recovered one fumble.

Expectations for 2020

The Dolphins added Byron Jones in free agency and drafted Noah Igbinoghene in the first round.  Add to that returning players like Xavien Howard and Nik Needham and Hayes will find it difficult to make the final roster.  His best chance is to make a big impression on special teams.

Even if Hayes is cut, there is a very good chance that he could be signed to the practice squad and would be among the first players called up if/when injuries strike the secondary.

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