Miami — Three Performances of Note
Second-Year Jump
The Dolphins are counting on all of their 2013 draft picks to make significant strides from Year 1 to 2, but two second-year players really jumped of the screen Saturday. Unfortunately, the one they’re relying on the most at the moment stuck out for all the wrong reasons. Dallas Thomas is slated to be the starting right guard for the Dolphins, but so far he’s done everything in his power this preseason to lose that title. Thomas got eaten alive by Gerald McCoy to the tune of three pressures, two penalties, and a -9.4(!) overall grade in 49 snaps. This comes one week after a -2.2 overall grade against the Falcons and a year after he finished with a -9.6 overall grade in his first preseason. Thomas flat out doesn’t look like an NFL player at the moment.
Will Davis, on the other hand, looks like an NFL starter this preseason. After injuries limited the third-round pick to just 65 snaps as a rookie, the cornerback has been the bright spot of the Dolphins’ defense so far. Davis allowed 4 yards on three targets and had a pass defensed along with another nice play that was questionably flagged for pass interference. He finished with a +3.5 overall grade and is currently the highest-graded cornerback in the league.
James Clean Again
A year after Tyson Clabo let defenders put Ryan Tannehill on his back 21 times (11 sacks and 10 hits), Ja’Wuan James appears to be just what the doctor ordered at right tackle. The 19th overall pick has yet to give up a single pressure in 49 pass blocking snaps this preseason. James shut out Adrian Clayborn Saturday en route to a +2.0 pass-blocking grade. The only concern is that, like the rest of the line, James has struggled in the running game. The most obvious example came with 5:09 left in the second quarter when James let backup end Ronald Talley knife inside him on a sweep for a tackle for loss. To make matters worse the rookie was also flagged for holding on the play.
UDFA Making His Case
After the preseason there are always a handful of undrafted free agents that make everyone wonder how no one could have picked them. Last year it was Khiry Robinson and Tony Jefferson. This year it could very well be Chris McCain. The former California outside linebacker was kicked off the team midway through his Junior season and had little draft buzz prior to his dismissal. As such, McCain wasn’t a highly sought after free agent and ended up signing with the Dolphins nine days after the draft.
The rookie has been going to work ever since. He weighed in at 224 at his pro day in March, but is now listed at 250 on the Dolphins’ roster. Against Tampa Bay he took 11 snaps at end and 14 at outside linebacker in a role similar to Dion Jordan’s. It’s been McCain, though, that’s played like he was drafted third overall. He generated two quick hurries late in the game Saturday with a speed rush and made two stops in the running game for an overall grade of +4.1.
