Miami Dolphins fans were not overly kind to the rookie season that Noah Igbinoghene had last year but he could take the biggest leap in 2021.
Igbinoghene was a name that many Dolphins fans hadn’t heard of when Miami announced his name with their third pick in the first round in the 2020 draft. While fans scrambled to see highlights of his college career, he didn’t do much to stand out on the field during the regular season.
That really isn’t a huge surprise. The rookies last year suffered for not having exhibition games and a normal training camp and off-season workout schedule, that isn’t the case this year and already, some in the media have seen positive signs that could indicate forward progression for the young corner.
While not ideal, if Xavien Howard moves on from Miami this year, Igbinoghene could be his replacement but ideally, he would fill the role that the Dolphins had envisioned Minkah Fitzpatrick to play if Jevon Holland doesn’t take it.
Igbinoghene is a good football player with above-average instincts he just hasn’t really had the reps to get used to the NFL level. That will change in camp and with the preseason work, he is going to develop faster.
Igbinoghene transferred late in his college career to the defensive side of the ball and that has delayed his progression. He is spending more time learning the playbook and studying film as well as learning from Byron Jones and Xavien Howard. He has more work to do and he isn’t going to step into the Dolphins’ defense and not have hiccups.
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If he can put on the field what he is learning from other players and the coaches, he should see a significant amount of time on the field and he should see more opportunities in various roles in the secondary. His camp this year is going to be important but his off-season work ethic so far has been noted.
When asked about getting more work in than just on the boundary, Igbinoghene said he was excited for the opportunity.
"“I’ve actually worked both positions and it’s really going really well, so I’m excited. I’m excited to see what the coaches have for me. I’m just following the plan and the process they have and see what happens.” – Noah Igbinoghene"
Towards the end of last season, Igbinoghene was starting to play better. He is hoping to pick up where he left off. He says that “consistency in his routines” is an important part of his continued development. His coaches think he is in for a bigger role as well.
"I think he has the potential to do a lot of special things as we’ve always thought about him and his skillset. It’s just a matter of putting the work in and having it apply on the field and being consistent in the performance.” – Gerald Alexander, secondary coach"
Alexander goes on to say that Igbinoghene has the physical tools to play on the boundary and inside, this year, he may get to do more interior work from the slot. His camp is going to be interesting to watch.