Dolphins Rookie Report Card: Week 9

DE Dion Jordan (1st Round Pick, 3rd overall). Grade: C-

Jordan's confusingly low usage continued for another week, as the rookie saw just 24 snaps despite a desperate need for depth as Cincinnati ran 93 offensive plays. The Dolphins' coaches still strongly prefer Derrick Shelby on early downs, suggesting that the staff is not yet happy with Jordan's progress in run defense.

They did, however, use Jordan in a few creative ways, specifically standing him up and having him roam around the line of scrimmage before the snap. It's a good way to confuse the pass protection and when he drops back into coverage, confuse the quarterback. Jordan did not register any sacks or quarterback pressures in his limited work.

Season GPA: 2.35 Team Rank: 2nd

CB Jamar Taylor (2nd Round Pick, 54th overall). Grade: C-

Despite a fatigued secondary, the healthy Taylor was able to crack the lineup just once on Thursday night. He wasn't targeted in his one snap, but his lack of playing time suggests that's exactly what the coaching staff is looking to prevent. He'll likely have opportunities to show his skills down the stretch of this season but his lack of playing time up to this point is more than a little troubling.

Season GPA: 1.5 Team Rank: 6th

OL Dallas Thomas (3rd Round Pick, 77th overall). Grade: I (Incomplete)

The turmoil surrounding the Dolphins' offensive line may result in Thomas' call-up to the active 46, but even then expect him to be just an emergency option. It's probably more likely that Danny Watkins gets the nod to provide extra guard depth, honestly.

Season GPA: N/A Team Rank: N/A

CB Will Davis (3rd Round Pick, 93rd overall). Grade: I (Incomplete)

Still no Davis. Still no clear reason why.

Season GPA: N/A Team Rank: N/A

LB Jelani Jenkins (4th Round Pick, 104th overall). Grade: C

Jenkins logged just three defensive snaps against the Bengals and made no discernible impact on the game.

Season GPA: 1.7 Team Rank: 5th

Dion Sims (4th Round Pick, 106th overall). Grade: N/A

Sims missed his first game of the season due to a toe injury. Michael Egnew took his snaps and was not terrible.

Season GPA: 1.91 Team Rank: 4th

RB Mike Gillislee (5th Round Pick, 164th overall). Grade: I (Incomplete)

With Miami's running game clicking, the chances of Gillislee getting even a late season opportunity are fading away.

Season GPA: N/A Team Rank: N/A

K Caleb Sturgis (5th Round Pick, 166th overall). Grade: B-

Sturgis' night started, well, the same as it's been for the past couple games. He hooked an easy 36-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter, denying Miami points after a big turnover by Cameron Wake. He did manage to hit his final two attempts on the night including a clutch 44-yarder with 16 seconds left to send the game to overtime.

Hopefully that rebuilds his confidence and he returns to his early-season form.

Season GPA: 3.21 Team Rank: 1st

DB Don Jones (7th Round Pick, 250th overall). Grade: B

Due to his recent struggles, the Dolphins have stopped angling punts towards Jones' side of the coverage, but that may have been the smartest move all along. Instead of missing the initial tackle as he had in the past few games, Jones did a superb job of tracking down the returner from the backside of the punt coverage. He recorded three special teams tackles on the night, all coming in the fourth quarter or later.

It will be interesting to see if Jones' role is impacted by the return of receiver Marlon Moore, who is a near lock to take over one of the gunner jobs.

Season GPA: 1.96 Team Rank: 3rd

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All player data is courtesy of Pro Football Focus and all contract info is courtesy of OverTheCap.com.