Miami Dolphins veterans report to training camp on Tuesday, July 25th and join the rookies who reported on the 18th. The start of training camp signals the end of summer is near, and the start of football season is right around the corner. The Dolphins are coming off a 9-8 season and their first playoff berth since 2016. They have a loaded roster with a lot of household names. However, there are a few players who aren’t well known that could make a name for themselves this year. Here are three Miami Dolphins players primed for a breakout season.
CB Kader Kohou
Kader Kohou is well known to most Dolphins fans, but to the rest of the country they may be saying “KoWho”? Kohou made the Dolphins roster last year as an undrafted rookie free agent. He was heavily relied upon thanks to countless injuries in the Dolphins’ secondary. Much to the Dolphins’ benefit, Kohou did more than hold his own. In fact, NFL.com ranked Kohou as the 3rd best coverage corner of 2022. This ranking came in large part due to his EPA (expected points added) of -25. That was the third-best among all defenders, not just rookies. Kohou also only allowed a passer rating against of 78.7. For comparison, Seattle Seahawks star rookie CB Tariq Woolen had a passer rating against of 72.1.
Last year Dolphins’ defense was a mess due in part to a thin secondary as well as a questionable scheme and defensive play calling by former defensive coordinator Josh Boyer. Miami added defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who is widely considered a defensive mastermind, as well as three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. Kohou will likely have less on his plate this year, as well as being put in a better position to succeed. If he can build on last year’s rookie success, Kohou will likely become a thorn in other fanbase’s side and earn the respect he deserves.
Highest graded rookie CB’s by PFF:
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 10, 2022
Sauce Gardner 84.2
Kader Kohou 73.2
Jack Jones 72.9
Tariq Woolen 72.0
Martin Emerson 71.1 pic.twitter.com/5PsiL2820J
LB Aubrey Miller Jr
Like Kohou, Aubrey Miller Jr looks to make the 2023 Dolphins roster as an undrafted rookie free agent. The Dolphins were able to sign Miller Jr after he went undrafted despite an impressive collegiate career at Jackson State. Miller Jr was named first-team All-SWAC in 2021 and won SWAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. Miller Jr is listed at 6’2″ 225 pounds and has the look of an NFL linebacker. The Dolphins’ defense is thin at the linebacker position. That coupled with Miller Jr’s reported three-year contract and $110,000 fully guaranteed is a good indicator of Miller Jr’s chances of making the team. Miller Jr will be coached by Vic Fangio and will get to work alongside veteran linebackers Jerome Baker and David Long Jr.
There shouldn’t be too much asked of Miller Jr. The Dolphins’ defense is loaded with household names and is widely considered a top-10 unit entering the 2023 season off of talent alone. When he’s on the field, Miller Jr’s hard-hitting and sideline-to-sideline athleticism could make for some highlight tackles. There’s a good chance Miller Jr starts the season as a special teams player, but by the end of the year, he could be a major part of the rotation at LB.
?@GoJSUTigersFB Pro-Day
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 28, 2023
Aubrey Miller Jr. didn’t get Combine invite after strong @seniorbowl but, if we’re being real, NFL teams that like him don’t really care what he does in shorts.
We can say this, whoever drafts @Loose_Qannon is getting a physical dude who loves football. pic.twitter.com/fDiDNgQcsX
TE Tanner Conner
The Dolphins said goodbye to their top tight end, Mike Gesicki, this offseason when he signed with the New England Patriots. Durham Smythe is the favorite to take over the primary role. Smythe is entering his sixth season with the team, signed an extension through the 2025 season, and is a respected blocker in the run game. However, Smythe isn’t viewed as a great receiving threat. That’s where Tanner Conner comes in. Conner was an undrafted rookie free agent signing last year along with Kohou. Unlike Kohou, Conner did not have a ton of success as a rookie. Conner appeared in 13 games (mostly special teams) and only had three targets all season with zero catches. However, Conner is a former wide receiver turned tight end with great athleticism.
Conner is listed at 6’3″ and 232 pounds, runs a 4.37 40-yard dash, and has a 39.5-inch vertical jump. During his time at Idaho State, Conner had 137 receptions for 2,383 touchdowns and 15 touchdowns. There is work to be done in the run-blocking game, but there is no denying his receiving abilities. With a thin tight end group this year, Conner has an opportunity to see more time with the offense. If he can get on the field, Conner will likely not have much defensive attention focused on him with the slew of offensive weapons Miami has garnering most of the attention. Conner can be a matchup nightmare for linebackers and defensive backs alike. Here’s to hoping he takes that step forward this year.
Coming in at No. 5 on @PSchrags' "Take a Chance on Me" list: Former track & field star and current @MiamiDolphins TE Tanner Conner ? pic.twitter.com/wiD5vvqC3N
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) August 19, 2022
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