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Dolphins Top 5 Sleepers in Camp

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5. Tony Lippett
The Dolphins have been searching high and low for answers at the cornerback position. Their search has taken a new direction, though, as they have now begun searching at other positions for answers at cornerback.
Michigan State wide receiver Tony Lippett is not brand-new to the cornerback position, having played it briefly in college, but the 2014 Big Ten Receiver of the Year is playing defense full-time for the first time ever. His 6'2", 192-pound frame will be a weapon for him at his new-ish position, as he can get physical with wide receivers and press them off their route.
There's also the added benefit of knowledge of the wide receiver position; he understands the intricacies of playing wide receiver, and therefore may have a better understanding of how to attack (or defend) those intricacies.
It won't be easy; Lippett must crack a roster where two spots are locked down by Brent Grimes and Jamar Taylor, and where the other three spots will be hotly contested by himself as well as Will Davis, Brice McCain, Zack Bowman and Bobby McCain.

4. Jeff Linkenbach

Between Billy Turner, Dallas Thomas and Jamil Douglas, the Dolphins seem to already have their hands full at guard. What those three lack, though, is the experience of playing week in and week out for an NFL team.

That's where Jeff Linkenbach comes in, and although he's not a sleeper in terms of being an unknown player on the roster, he is unheralded and often goes unmentioned in the mix for starting spots at guard. Yes, the Dolphins' best-case scenario would be for one of the young guards—Turner, Thomas or Douglas—to step up and earn a starting spot.
But as an experienced fallback option in a worst-case scenario, the Dolphins could do much worse than Linkenbach. Not only has he played multiple positions (right tackle and both guard spots), but he was a top backup and started multiple games each season, stepping up to fill the voids when starters went down.
Linkenbach has been honing his craft in the NFL for years, and given an opportunity to distinguish himself among a group of project players at guard, the veteran could snare up the opportunity.

3. Mike Hull

Forget for a second that the Dolphins have a shortage of surefire roster locks at linebacker. Mike Hull is just the kind of sleeper that tends to make waves in training camp.
He's undersized for the position at an even 6'0" and 237 pounds, but what he lacks in size, he makes up in effort. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein remarked that Hull is "likely to fight back and win a rep after getting dominated the rep before," and while you never want to see a linebacker getting dominated (particularly in the running game, where his size and short arms are a shortcoming), his ability to bounce back is promising.
As we speak, Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi are the only names etched in stone on the depth chart. Virtually everything else is up for grabs. The Big Ten Linebacker of the Year will be competing with undrafted rookies Neville Hewitt, Zach Vigil and Jeff Luc, but also with veterans Spencer Paysinger, Kelvin Sheppard and Jordan Tripp. There's no room for anything but 100 percent effort from Hull.
If he can show value on special teams and take advantage of reps on defense, Hull could hustle his way to a roster spot.

2. Ray Drew

It's easy for a defensive end to get lost in a shuffle that includes Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, but Georgia defensive end Ray Drew was also lost in a shuffle of defensive ends in the 2015 NFL draft. He ultimately went undrafted despite his status as a former 5-star recruit.
Perhaps it was that lofty post-high school status that resulted in his going undrafted; he entered college with a lot of hype, but didn't follow that trajectory to a high draft selection. Instead, the 6'5", 284-pound defensive end finished with only one sack in 2014.
His lack of production does not signify a lack of potential, though. He doesn't have the strength to set the edge consistently (10 reps on the 225-pound bench press), but he does have the explosiveness off the line (4.57-second 40-yard dash at his pro day) to make it past opposing linemen.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein indicates that his primary issue is "high-rising pad level" off the line of scrimmage, but if he can learn to play with better technique and leverage, he could become a much more productive player when he hits the scene in the NFL.
The Dolphins don't need Drew to become a star; they just need him to prove he can provide some support for the starters in relief duty. He'll have to beat out someone in a competition that will include young up-and-coming defensive ends Emmanuel Dieke, Terrence Fede and Derrick Shelby.

1. Will Davis



The Dolphins need to find starting-caliber cornerbacks (plural) to play along with Brent Grimes. Even though they run a base 4-3 defense, their personnel grouping will mostly be nickel and sub-packages.

Jamar Taylor remains the favorite to start opposite Brent Grimes, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Pretty much everything else seems to be up for grabs in the Dolphins secondary, whether it's the top duties in the slot or the backup duties that involve special teams responsibilities.

Third-year cornerback Will Davis should be a candidate for any and all openings. He already has a leg up on the competition with his experience in the Dolphins' system, but he is a leg down due to his rehab from a torn ACL he suffered in mid-November. Jackson also reports that Davis was participating in team drills at Dolphins OTAs, so he appears to be on a good trajectory to be back in time for the season to start.

Davis was on pace for a career year in 2014 before the injury. He played 135 snaps, more than double his season total from the year before, and he also notched five special teams tackles, tied for fifth-most on the team, according to Pro Football Focus. Given another chance, he could pick up right where he left off.
Click to expand...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2515762-ranking-miami-dolphins-top-5-sleepers-to-watch-in-camp

Interesting List, Big fan of Lippett making a splash wherever hes needed on the field! Thoughts FH Family?
 
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Will Davis description is wrong other than that Thanks for sharing!
 
Bruzer said:
Will Davis description is wrong other than that Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...

That and also I don't see how Will Davis will make this team unless Tony Lippett and the 2 McCain's (Brice and Bobby) get cut.
 
Please keep lippett. Letting him go would be a big mistake. Don't even try stashing him on the practice squad either. Wont work.
 
At this point I think the league needs to make Parker the sleeper rookie...Havn't seen one projected rookie list give him any love or attention yet. Wait til they see he manhandling cbs Week 1
 
Jamar Taylor is not "Locked down" as a starter. It may say that going in to camp, but hardly earned yet.

As for Mike Hull, I would prefer a dominating LBer, not one who will come back after being dominated. I want Will to perform this year big time. But if he can't , maybe it's time to move on and let new talent step up.

Other than those issues, nice article and I hope these players help this team make the playoffs this year.
 
more like top 5 guys most likely to give you nothing in 2015

good luck cracking the 2 deep fellas
 
Has Ray Drew showed anything so far? I know it's difficult to gauge in shorts, but I haven't heard any news regarding Drew.

Will Davis has always flashed and definitely has ball skills. Should be a good competition in the secondary. I think Tony Lippett makes the team without a question. I see him getting playing time, at least initially, in the redzone defense. Could be a starter down the line if he continues to develop.
 
My #1 "sleeper" is Damian Williams -- I think the kid is really going to shine in his 2nd year.
 
Davis should have been replaced with Taylor, who is going to excel
 
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