Miami Dolphins: 3 bold predictions for defensive backs in 2022

Miami Dolphins DB prediction #3: Eric Rowe gone/out of lineup

One of the most consistent players for the Dolphins over the last three seasons has been Eric Rowe. The safety followed Brown Flores from New England to Miami in 2020, and was one of the standouts on a team that shuffled through an ungodly amount of defensive players in the coach’s first season.

Flores is gone, but Rowe remains on the roster. But for how long?

Rowe started just four games in 2021 after going for 14+ in his previous two seasons. His snap count declined from 93 percent in 2020-2021 to just 57 percent last year and was on the field for just a quarter of the defensive snaps over the final two games of the season.

Much of that has to do with the emergence of the aforementioned Brandon Jones and the zero blitz package, and there may be even more competition in the defensive backfield if guys like Trill Williams or Noah Igbinoghene are able to prove their worth.

So Rowe could become expendable. If he fell out of favor near the end of the season under the man who brought him to Miami, then he may do the same with the new regime. His dead cap hit is just over half a million dollars.