AUGUST 6, 2019 Dolphin Digest 9to play an outside linebacker role when the Dolphins
line up in the 3-4.
DEWAYNE HENDRIX — The rookie free agent
from the University of Pittsburgh has the prototypical
body type for a 3-4 defensive end, though he’ll have
a lot of players to beat out to earn a roster spot or even
a spot on the practice squad.
JONATHAN LEDBETTER — Like Shaq Cal-
houn, Ledbetter went undrafted despite earning sec-
ond-team all-conference honors in the vaunted SEC.
Ledbetter has the size and skill set to play in just
about any scheme, and he’ll be a player to watch as he
tries to land a roster spot.
JOEY MBU — A veteran of seven NFL games,
Mbu was yet another player signed out of the AAF.
Mbu’s appeal is his 6-3, 330-pound frame, which
makes him the ideal size to line up at nose tackle
when the Dolphins employ a 3-4 look. He still will
have to prove in camp he deserves a spot on the 53-
man roster.
KENDRICK NORTON — The former University
of Miami standout’s career likely is over after he was
involved in a car accident that cost him his left arm in
the first week of July.
JAMIYUS PITTMAN — The former University
of Central Florida standout spent the entire 2018 sea-
son on the practice squad and is back for another shot.
He faces long odds to earn a roster spot, though might
be worth keeping around on the practice squad.
DURVAL QUEIROZ NIETO — This player is in-
teresting because he comes from Brazil with good
athleticism and very little experience. Because he’s
so raw, it’s highly unlikely he’ll make the 53-man ros-
ter, but as part of the NFL’s International Player Path-
way Program, the Dolphins can keep him practicing
without using up a roster spot.
AKEEM SPENCE — Spence was acquired last
offseason from Detroit because he was a perfect fit in
the Dolphins’ previous 4-3 scheme. With the change,
it will be interesting to see how Spence now fits.
VINCENT TAYLOR — The 2017 sixth-round
pick really was coming on last season before he went
down with a foot injury in the game at Green Bay and
it’ll be interesting to see if he can pick up where he
left off. It also will be interesting to see how the Dol-
phins end up using him.
CORY THOMAS — A rookie free agent out of
Mississippi State, Thomas has great size at 6-5, 310,
and intriguing potential, though he’ll have to flash
quickly if he hopes to stick around.
ADOLPHUS WASHINGTON — The former
third-round pick out of Ohio State would seem to be
a good fit as a 3-4 defensive end, and he’s got a
chance to fight for a roster spot with a good summer.
CHRISTIAN WILKINS — The gregarious first-
round pick could only show so much in the spring,but he’ll be someone to watch in training camp.
Among the questions will be exactly how the Dol-
phins will use him, given the multitude of roles he
handled at Clemson.
JONATHAN WOODARD — One of the few
holdovers at defensive end, Woodard remains some-
what of an unknown commodity and he’ll try to use
training camp and the preseason to show he belongs
on the 53-man roster.LINEBACKERS
CHASE ALLEN — It’s tough to say where Allen
stands because he definitely showed potential as a
rookie free agent in 2017, but then saw his season cut
short by a leg injury last October and he wasn’t able
to practice this spring. He’s got good size and could
be a contributor on defense, though his health issues
have to get cleared up.
KIKO ALONSO — There are a lot of uncertain-
ties when it comes to the defense and the linebackers
because we still don’t know how extensively the Dol-
phins will employ a three-man front, but it wouldJesse Davis
Dewayne Hendrix and Vincent Taylor
Digest photo/JOEL AUERBACHUSA TODAY Sports/STEVE MITCHELL