The Miami Dolphins parted ways with a slew of veterans this offseason including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, pass rusher Bradley Chubb, and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick among others. When those players exited Miami Gardens, varying levels of leadership left with them.
New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley met with the South Florida media on Tuesday morning, and discussed how young players on his team have been stepping up to fill the shoes of those departed veterans.
“Malik [Willis] has done a really nice job of, you know, having guys over to his house, just like [Zach] Sieler has done that — trying to get guys around. [Jordyn] Brooks has done an unbelievable job. T-Dot [Tyrel Dodson] has hung out with the rookies.”
Hafley continued to name names, including that of a second-year player already making strides in the leadership department.
“I spend a lot of time in the DB [defensive backs] room. [Dante] Trader has done a really good job — really kind of helping out those rookies. And even talking to him — through his experience, him having a little bit of help — he feels now like he can help the rookie guys out.”
Miami’s coach then turned his attention to one of the biggest (literally) leaders on the team.
“Pat Paul is another guy, watching the o-line, with [Aaron] Brewer, I see have a leadership role right now.”
If the Dolphins are to find success this season, it will partly be because of the young players who have stepped into leadership roles on the team. Will that be enough to lay the foundation for a successful rebuild in Miami? We will get our first inklings of an answer to that question in just a few short months.