(Steve Mitchell – USATODAY)
On September 16th last year, the news broke that the Dolphins were trading former first-round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for a package that included a first round pick. Just eight days before, the Dolphins were defeated by the Ravens by a score of 59-10, and he requested a trade. Fitzpatrick had been dissatisfied with his new role on the team, which had him playing in the box, as opposed to his previous role as more of a free safety / cornerback.
After the trade, Flores said they were focusing on the future.
“We’ve moved on as a team,” he said. “If you start to think about anything other than that or this happened or why did that happen … we put our energy in other places.”
The Steelers will feel like they won the trade because of Fitzpatrick’s production: finishing the season with 5 interceptions and First Team All-Pro honors. But the Dolphins didn’t just come away with the draft pick they used on Austin Jackson. They came away with a valuable lesson that can be seen when you look at this current roster.
When rookie Brandon Jones was asked about his role on the defense, he replied:
“I have been working everywhere. Our coach wants us to be able to be multiple and to be able to play at different positions.”
When cornerback Nik Needham was asked about his role, he replied:
“Whatever coach tells me to do, I’m going to do that. I’m not worried about positions. Wherever they need me, I’m willing to go.”
Running back Matt Breida had a similar quote:
“I’m a football player at the end of the day. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to do… I’m not selfish, whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to do.”
Linebacker Elandon Roberts probably had the most straight-forward response:
“Whatever the Miami Dolphins want me to do, I do.”
One could argue that the Dolphins value versatility more than any team in the NFL.
- Eric Rowe transitioned to his new role as a safety after starting the season at cornerback in 2019.
- Bobby McCain was a successful slot corner before switching to safety in 2019.
- Byron Jones was a safety for the Cowboys before switching to corner in 2018.
- Robert Hunt is a guard who has been working as a tackle as well.
- Ereck Flowers was infamously drafted as a tackle before his resurgence as a guard.
- Noah Igbinoghene was a receiver his freshman year at Auburn before switching to cornerback.
- Linebacker Elandon Roberts caught a 38-yard TD pass last year against the Dolphins.
- Heck, Malcolm Perry was a QB in college, then a RB when drafted, and now he’s showing promise as the team’s slot receiver.
The common theme here is that the Dolphins are building their roster with guys who can play just about anywhere. They are getting players who are willing to trust the process and believe in the system, even if it means playing a position they aren’t used to. They have gone out of their way to specifically target players who are versatile, open-minded and hard-working.
Whether it pays off in the end is yet to be seen, but it’s looks clear that this roster is built to avoid another Minkah Fitzpatrick situation.