Editor’s note: Every day in “Daily Focus,” PFF analysts take the latest NFL news and translate what it really means for each team involved.
What do the Dolphins lose if Reshad Jones continues to hold out? Safety Reshad Jones has skipped all of the Miami Dolphins voluntary offseason workouts thus far, and new head coach Adam Gase hasn’t heard from Jones as to whether he’ll show up to voluntary mini-camp this coming week. Jones is coming off a season in which he made 139 tackles, including 51 stops and run-defense grade of 93.5.
Jones also excelled rushing the passer, recording two sacks and ranking third at the position with a 80.9 pass-rush grade. While he graded right around average in pass coverage, giving up the 11th most yards and eighth-most touchdowns, Jones tied for second with nine pass disruptions (five interceptions, four pass defenses).
For three of the past four seasons, Jones has been one of the best safeties in the league. While his pass coverage is inconsistent, his playmaking ability as a rusher and in the run game warrant consideration. If he decides to hold out for a big contract after a career statistical year (including a pro bowl selection), the Dolphins would be looking at fourth-year pro Michael Thomas to fill the void. Thomas started at FS and didn’t have nearly the impact Jones did, grading just slightly above average and ranking as 41st best safety in the NFL last season.
The Dolphins also signed Isa Abdul-Quddus from the Lions in free agency—a player that the Lions likely should have re-signed prior to free agency. If Abdul-Quddus can continue his stretch of strong play, missing Jones will ease the pain a bit, but the Dolphins should hope to work something out, or that Jones decides to end his hold-out.
Will Breshad Perriman catch a break? The Baltimore Ravens' 2015 first-round draft pick has suffered another knee injury and could miss the entire 2016 season, depending on the severity of the injury. Reportedly a partially torn ACL in his left knee, Perriman also missed all of 2015 due to a torn PCL.
The Ravens' depth chart would take a hit even with No. 5 ranked WR Steve Smith and No. 19 ranked Kamar Aiken on the roster. GM Ozzie Newsome wisely drafted a WR in Cincinnati’s Chris Moore—a legit deep threat that gained 445 yards on deep passes (20+ yards in the air)—as insurance for a receiving corps that was decimated last season after Smith was lost for the year on a torn achilles tendon.
We’ve yet to assess Perriman at the NFL, level but he was a solid deep threat in college, as he gained 525 yards on deep passes to go with five touchdowns. The main concern with the former UCF Golden Knight are his hands—dropping eight balls on just 58 catchable passes. The hope for the Ravens and Perriman is that the ACL doesn’t hold him out for another year of football; otherwise, we’re not questioning whether Perriman will live up to his first-round draft status, but rather how much longer he’ll be in the NFL.
Jalen Ramsey is running two weeks after surgery. This video tweeted from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Twitter account shows the fifth overall pick of the 2016 draft running at what looks about 75 percent full speed. Jalen Ramsey suffered a torn meniscus during rookie training camp, giving Jacksonville fans horror flashbacks to 2015 when first-round pick Dante Fowler tore his ACL at the rookie training camp. Luckily, this injury is much less severe and Ramsey is expected to be 100 percent for training camp.
Ramsey ranked as PFF’s No. 3 overall player on our final draft board of the 2016 draft season. The former Seminole excelled in zone coverage and has the size and athleticism to match up in man. Ramsey showed versatility in college lining up as a safety and a cornerback and dominating at both positions.
Colleague Sam Monson wrote in depth on why Ramsey was a top prospect in the draft, but it also highlights why he will be able to succeed right away in the NFL—which is difficult for rookie cornerback to do. Ramsey missed valuable time recovering from surgery, but the fact that he shouldn’t miss any of training camp is great news for Jaguars’ fans.
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