Is Preston Williams’ placement on the Miami Dolphins’ preseason depth chart official? Or is it a ploy to extend his commerce worth?
The Dolphins launched their preliminary 2022 depth chart on Monday with comparatively few surprises, however Williams, the receiver who has voiced displeasure together with his alternatives this coaching camp, was positioned relatively excessive. With Miami itemizing two vast receiver spots offensively, Williams was one of many second-teamers, together with Cedrick Wilson Jr., after Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle because the starters.
That places him forward of rookie Erik Ezukanma, who has been a serious coaching camp standout with massive performs downfield in practically each observe, and Trent Sherfield, a veteran who spent final yr on the 49ers with coach Mike McDaniel and vast receivers coach Wes Welker in San Francisco whereas additionally contributing on particular groups.
Williams’ placement additionally comes the identical day as a Sports activities Illustrated report stating the Dolphins “talked to different groups about doubtlessly transferring veteran receivers Preston Williams and Lynn Bowden Jr.” Bowden is listed as a third-team wideout, together with Sherfield.
Ezukanma is positioned all the way in which again as one of many No. 5 receivers, together with undrafted rookie Braylon Sanders, which may very well be a motivational device on the rookies. The fourth-team wideouts are veterans Mohamed Sanu, who signed with Miami proper earlier than camp, and River Cracraft, additionally a McDaniel-Welker participant from San Francisco.
Williams’ camp complaints had been sparked by a tweet final week about missing alternatives. After McDaniel was empathetic with Williams in his public remarks, Williams doubled down when chatting with reporters the next observe.
“I simply really feel like I’m not getting the alternatives I deserve, merely scripted-wise, not being on the field-wise,” he stated. “If I received a go route, they’re going to play excessive and script it like that. Alternatives to indicate that I can beat my man, that’s all.”
Williams, a 6-foot-5 goal, has seen his on-field manufacturing constantly decline since standing out as an undrafted rookie for the Dolphins in 2019. After 32 receptions for 428 yards that yr, he then had 18 catches for 288 yards in 2020 and simply six receptions for 71 yards final season. Largely invisible this camp, Williams had two catches for sizable beneficial properties in Sunday’s observe.
Additionally noteworthy on the Dolphins’ depth chart, they record Hill because the workforce’s beginning punt returner. Miami signed Hill to a four-year, $120 million deal in buying and selling for him this offseason, and big-money gamers not often get despatched out on kick and punt returns. The final time Hill did it constantly for the Chiefs was 2018.
Working again Raheem Mostert was listed as the highest kick returner, and he too has not been lively in that regard in recent times. Waddle is listed because the backup on each kick and punt returns.
The Dolphins listed two high tailbacks, and Edmonds and Mostert received these nods. Sony Michel and Myles Gaskin had been positioned on the second workforce.
A coaching camp battle for a beginning position has come at one exterior linebacker reverse Jaelan Phillips. Melvin Ingram is at the moment the starter over Andrew Van Ginkel. At inside linebacker, rookie and third-round choose Channing Tindall is on the third workforce with Jerome Baker and Elandon Roberts the first-teamers and Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen on second.
With Byron Jones on the physically-unable-to-perform record, Nik Needham was the highest cornerback reverse Xavien Howard because the protection listed two cornerbacks. Needham figures to primarily play the nickel when each Howard and Jones are wholesome. Noah Igbinoghene and Keion Crossen had been listed on the second workforce.
The Dolphins beginning offensive line goes, from left to proper: Terron Armstead, Liam Eichenberg, Connor Williams, Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson. Guard Solomon Kindley, a starter in 2020 whose alternatives evaporated final season, is listed on third workforce.
The Dolphins have joint practices with the Buccaneers in Tampa on faucet for Wednesday and Thursday forward of their preseason opener on Saturday.
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