Miami Dolphins rookies experience mixed fortunes in win over Saints
The Miami Dolphins emerged victorious against the New Orleans Saints, yet the performance of their rookie class raised some eyebrows. While the team celebrated a critical win, several rookies who had previously seen significant playing time were notably absent from the action. Notable names like Ollie Gordon II, Dante Trader Jr., and Jason Marshall Jr. barely saw the field, failing to accumulate enough snaps to warrant inclusion in this week’s stock report. Specifically, Gordon recorded only 16 offensive snaps, while Trader and Marshall contributed a mere five and four defensive snaps, respectively. However, the Dolphins’ trench players did see ample action, so let’s delve into how they fared in Week 13.
Kenneth Grant
Week 11: Slight Stock Up
Week 13: No Movement
Kenneth Grant’s performance has remained relatively stable since his slight breakout against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7. His trajectory continues to trend upward, albeit gradually. This steady development is beneficial for the Dolphins, as Grant’s stability as a run defender significantly bolstered the team’s efforts. Although he didn’t make a substantial impact on the stat sheet against the Saints, Grant effectively held the line of scrimmage and made several hustle plays. If he can enhance his ability to shed blocks and tap into his athleticism while rushing the passer, Grant has the potential to evolve into a high-impact interior player. As noted in previous assessments, he has established a solid foundation; now, he just needs to unlock his full potential.
Jonah Savaiinaea
Week 11: Stock Up
Week 13: Slight Stock Up
Three consecutive stock-up performances for Jonah Savaiinaea is no small feat. The second-round pick is still working to fully meet the expectations that come with his draft status, but his development has shown promising signs over the past month. Against the Saints, Savaiinaea exhibited solid pass protection, allowing only one sack when beaten by Cameron Jordan’s inside swim move. Besides that, he effectively held his own throughout the game. While the running game had its challenges, Savaiinaea’s positives far outweighed the negatives, as he successfully opened rush lanes and reached key landmarks at the second level. He and Aaron Brewer combined for an impressive pancake early in the match, marking his continued growth as a crucial asset for the Dolphins this season.
Jordan Phillips
Week 11: Slight Stock Up
Week 13: Slight Stock Up
Jordan Phillips maintained his consistent performance against the Saints, finishing the game with four tackles, all of which were made near the line of scrimmage. His ability to withstand double teams and maintain his position is invaluable, making life easier for Miami’s second-level defenders like Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson. Phillips had a near tackle for loss, showcasing his potential, though he failed to complete the play. His improvements in shedding blocks have been evident throughout the season, though there remains room for growth in timing and power. While his limitations as a pass rusher could be a concern, they are less significant at this stage of his development.
Zeek Biggers
Week 11: Stock Up
Week 13: Slight Stock Down
Zeek Biggers’ performance against the Saints serves as a reminder of the importance of evaluating rookies based on their overall body of work. While not a disastrous outing, it was, in fact, his least impressive showing in the three games where he played substantial snaps. Biggers managed to record half a sack, though it was more of a coverage sack than a product of his individual effort. He deserves recognition for battling through a double team to reach the quarterback. However, his run defense remains a point of concern, as he struggled with leverage and missed a tackle that contributed to a significant run. While this performance doesn’t detract from his overall progress, it fell short compared to his previous outings. Nonetheless, the trajectory for Miami’s seventh-round pick remains positive.
