Dolphins Day 3 Rookie ‘May Be In Line’ To Make Surprise Start In Week 1
The Miami Dolphins‘ – to put it kindly – “improvised” cornerback situation has been a thing much-covered by media outlets for the duration of this offseason.
Ever since Jalen Ramsey and the organization “mutually agreed” to seek a trade back in April, concerns have been levelled about the position’s strength and depth on the roster.
Ramsey was subsequently traded at the end of June, and a month later the team lost both starting and backup slot corners, Kader Kohou and Artie Burns, to season ending knee injuries.
The organization bought in AFC North veteran nickel, Mike Hilton, and former Patriots and Raiders boundary corner, Jack Jones, but it could be that neither end up starting.
Dolphins Rookie Looks To Be Set For Big Year 1 Role
Jones is set to potentially get beat out by high performing ex-Falcons fourth round pick, Kendall Sheffield, whilst rookie Jason Marshall Jr. – selected in the fifth round of April’s draft – could win the starting job over Hilton, in a very surprise move, according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post.
“Jason [Marshall Jr.] started for the Dolphins in the slot.” Schad wrote on Saturday, “He started alongside Storm Duck and Jack Jones and may be in line to start the opener at Indianapolis, ahead of veteran Mike Hilton. Marshall has good physical tools and has demonstrated instincts and ability to tackle, even though he’s never played slot before.”
Hilton is an experienced veteran and a great locker room presence, but that does not necessarily mean that the organization will be intent on keeping him as the starter if they can sense high level potential from one of their younger, up-and-coming players in Marshall.
Head coaches and general managers – especially ones on the hot seat – like Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier – are always incentivized to play and develop younger talent that they themselves have drafted, as they can use them as empirical proof of success. Especially if those players come on the third day of the draft.
What Will The Dolphins Cornerback Situation Look Like In Week 1?
Marshall Jr. is hardly set at nickel back, and Hilton could well still be the favorite to land the starting role come the season opener on September 7th against the Indianapolis Colts.
But it looks like, if he continues to impress for the last couple of days of camp – and gives the coaching staff faith that he can be steady – that he might be the guy in the slot for large parts of the upcoming season.
On the outside, Storm Duck is set to feature opposite one of either Sheffield or Jones – although former undrafted free agent, Ethan Bonner, is not out of the mix just yet.
However it ends up shaping out, Miami’s secondary will need considerable help if it is to become just an average unit in 2025.
Browns Make Final Call on Quinshon Judkins’ Status for Week 2
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is on track to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
The Browns have officially listed Judkins as questionable for the matchup in Baltimore.
“He has done a nice job,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Friday. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do up to this point. I do think he’s in good shape and I thought he did a nice job with this week.”
Judkins got in his first “full” practice on Thursday since the spring. He met with NFL investigators on Wednesday in New York as part of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy investigation into a July arrest. Judkins will not be charged for the alleged incident and has not been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. The NFL has stated that it does not have a timeline for resolving Judkins’ situation.
Browns right tackle Jack Conklin, who suffered an eye injury during Week 1, is also questionable. Cleveland has ruled defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. out for a second consecutive week as he continues his recovery from a knee injury he suffered last season.
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins in ‘Pivotal’ Stretch
Judkins is still playing catch-up in his bid to get on the field. He missed all of training camp and the preseason because of a contract holdout and an off-field incident. The silver lining is that he logged some work during rookie minicamp and OTAs, which gave him a solid foundation to build on.
“We’re around these guys a good chunk so you have opportunities to find ways to get install,” offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said Thursday. “Obviously for Q you know, we’ll take it day-by-day to see how he continues to progress in practice. It takes some extra work to make sure that we can catch him up after a Wednesday practice. But Thursdays and Fridays are really pivotal days throughout the week. So, finding ways to make sure that we get him the proper work to give him an opportunity moving forward.”
The Browns drafted Judkins No. 36 overall with the intention of him being their bell-cow back. Judkins was a big producer during his college career, first at Ole Miss and then at Ohio State. He rushed for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns over three college seasons.
Browns Quinshon Judkins to Boost Backfield
Judkins is expected to be a key piece of the Browns’ offense moving forward, with plans for him to shoulder a significant workload and help Cleveland control the clock with sustained drives.
That was sorely missing in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns mustered just 49 rushing yards, averaging 2.0 yards per carry. Their longest run went for just five yards.
Judkins will return to a backfield that already features a productive rookie in Dylan Sampson. He led the team with eight catches for 64 yards against Cincinnati and added 29 yards on 12 carries. Sampson’s versatility ensures he’ll continue to play a major role even once Judkins is in the mix.
The Browns are a 12.5-point underdog against the Ravens on the road.
