Today marked the much-anticipated return of The Phinsider Mailbag, and I reached out to gather your thoughts and concerns regarding the Miami Dolphins. After nearly a year, I was excited to see the responses from our dedicated fanbase. In this article, I’ll address some of the key issues raised by our readers. Please remember, these are my personal insights, and I welcome your feedback in the comments section if you have differing opinions.

Looking ahead, we will continue to bring back The Phinsider Mailbag following the NFL’s schedule release next week. Be sure to keep an eye out for our call for your thoughts and questions about the Dolphins and their highly anticipated 2024 NFL schedule. Your input is invaluable as we dive into another exciting season!

Now, let’s dive into the pressing concerns of the day:

Recently, the Dolphins took to social media to share a captivating photo featuring The Earl references. The image showcases players from left to right: Elijah Campbell (22), Nik Needham (40), Jevon Holland (8), and Jordan Poyer (21). This visual representation has sparked discussions among fans regarding the team’s defensive lineup.

I believe it’s highly plausible that Nik Needham may transition to the safety position, particularly if Kader Kohou secures the nickel cornerback role. Needham’s training as a safety back in 2015 appears to be continuing this season, despite the Dolphins currently listing him as a cornerback. His versatility to play both positions significantly enhances his value to the Dolphins’ defense. Should he establish himself as the third safety option, he could very well surpass Campbell on the depth chart, making him a crucial asset for the upcoming season.

If all goes according to plan, Needham could emerge as a long-term solution alongside Holland. Furthermore, if he can compete effectively with Poyer for the second safety position this year, it would allow the Dolphins to manage Poyer’s workload throughout the season strategically, keeping him fresh for a potential playoff run. This strategic rotation could be a game-changer for the team’s defensive strategy.

The rookie prospects, including Patrick McMorris (sixth-round pick), Mark Perry (undrafted free agent), and Jordan Colbert (undrafted free agent), will also be important considerations in final roster decisions, especially if they can contribute on special teams. However, I firmly believe that Needham’s potential role as a safety makes a lot of sense, given the current roster dynamics.

Of course, it’s essential to remember that we might be reading too much into a single photograph. Nevertheless, it seems that the Dolphins are leaning towards Needham’s involvement in the safety position, reflecting a shift in their defensive strategy.

Now, could he also be in the running for the right guard competition this summer? Absolutely, but I don’t believe this is his primary focus for the team. I anticipate that Kendall Lamm and Driscoll will serve as the main reserves for the offensive line, providing the Dolphins with the flexibility to adapt throughout games, especially in the event of injuries. At this stage, Liam Eichenberg appears to hold the lead for the right guard position, as it seems to align best with his skill set.

Moreover, Eichenberg is likely to serve as the backup center. Should he need to step in for Aaron Brewer, it could create opportunities for either Driscoll or Robert Jones to find their place in the lineup. The Dolphins’ coaching staff is committed to fielding the best five linemen, meaning that dynamics may shift significantly once training camp begins. Currently, however, I would project Eichenberg as the starter at right guard, with Jones and Driscoll as capable reserves.

Next, we address another question from The Earl in our mailbag.

I concur that Stroud’s ranking is higher than I would personally assign him. History shows that numerous rookies have burst onto the scene only to fade away shortly after. Additionally, placing Prescott at four seems a bit excessive, although I wouldn’t advocate for Hurts, Purdy, Goff, or Burrow to leapfrog him on the list. Having Tua Tagovailoa in the top ten feels appropriate, yet I believe that nearly any arrangement of the players from four to ten could be justified.

Your projections indicate that in 2023, Tagovailoa would have led the league in passing yards and ranked third in touchdowns (trailing Prescott and Jordan Love) and passer rating (behind Purdy and Prescott). In 2022, Tua led the league in passer rating, and in 2023, he topped the charts in passing yardage. If he continues to post statistics that place him among the league’s elite, it stands to reason that he should progress from a tenth-place ranking to at least a spot in the top five.

I believe the only viable method for the NFL to realign the divisions is through a substantial expansion initiative. Should the league decide to introduce new teams, it would necessitate a reevaluation of the current divisions, similar to the adjustments made when the Houston Texans joined the league in 2002, bringing the total to 32 teams. Without such action, maintaining the historical context of division rivalries will likely take precedence over any efforts to realign.

I can envision a scenario where the league establishes a London franchise, which could potentially lead to a division comprising New England, Buffalo, New York, and London. However, even then, the Dolphins might find themselves as the odd team out in this scenario.

A few years ago, the need for realignment appeared more pressing when the St. Louis Rams were in the NFC West. However, since their return to Los Angeles, the division structure has started to make more sense. While the placement of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East feels somewhat off, there isn’t a feasible alternative unless the league opts for a conference switch.

The thought of relocating the Dolphins to the AFC South and the Colts to the AFC East, or as you suggested, moving the Dolphins to the AFC South, the Colts to the AFC North, and the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC East could be straightforward adjustments for better geographical alignment. However, this doesn’t seem to be a pressing issue. In a landscape where college football conferences include teams from across the country, geographical considerations no longer appear to hold significant weight.

This past weekend, the Dolphins hosted their rookie minicamp, welcoming their drafted and undrafted rookies, along with several tryout players, onto the field for some fundamental practices. As with most rookie minicamps, there isn’t typically a wealth of news emerging from this weekend, and this year is no exception.

The primary focus for the rookies is to familiarize themselves with the playbook and engage in individual drills. While they may participate in some fieldwork, the emphasis is likely on personal development rather than impressing the coaching staff to secure a spot on the roster. This period is crucial for laying the groundwork for the newcomers as they prepare to join the veterans in regular practices.

Regarding the presence of veteran players, the NFL and NFLPA collective bargaining agreement imposes restrictions. Teams can invite a limited number of veterans not currently on the roster for tryouts, but that is the extent of the allowance during this period.

While players can certainly gather outside of team facilities to workout together, none of those activities are permitted during the rookie minicamp weekend.