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We are currently making our way through the Miami Dolphins' 90-man offseason roster, breaking down last season for each player, as well as what could happen this year. Today, we continue today with a look at tight end Michael Egnew
Previous Roster Breakdowns: Jonathan Freeny Jordan Kovacs Dion Jordan Chris Burnette Josh Samuda Brian Thomas Keelan Johnson Jeff Fuller Jamar Taylor
(Photo courtesy Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Previous Roster Breakdowns: Chad Bumphis Marcus Thigpen Aaron Corp Jelani Jenkins Jonathan Martin Tristan Okpalaugo Reshad Jones Jeff Adams John Denney Philip Wheeler Cameron Wake Marvin McNutt Dallas Thomas
2012 Review:
Michael Egnew
| 2012 Stats | |
| Games | 2 |
| Starts | 0 |
| Receptions | 0 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
To describe 2012 as a disappointment for Egnew (and for the fans watching him in training camp) could be the understatement of the year. The 78th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft simply could not find a way onto the field last year. He struggled throughout training camp as a blocker, something the Dolphins demand of their tight ends, after having been used solely as a pass catcher at Missouri.
He finally did see the field near the end of the season, thanks to injuries clearing a way to the active game day roster, but he was not targeted by Ryan Tannehill in those two games.
Why he could improve in 2013:
A year at the NFL level, a year of working to add strength, and a year to get used to blocking, Egnew should be better this year. He was said to be struggling to understand the playbook throughout the year as well, so hopefully he now knows it, and his role within it.
Why he could regress in 2013:
There's not very far for Egnew go if he regresses. A third round draft pick who cannot get on the field has fallen pretty far in his first year. Now, heading into his second, if Egnew does not make major steps forward in his development, the team probably will not even give him a chance to regress.
Odds he will make the 53-man roster:
It's hard to imagine a team giving up on a third round draft pick after one year, and a year in which they spent a ton of time trying to develop him, so Egnew will likely be back on the roster this year. However, he's by no means a sure thing to be there come Week 1. He has to show during the preseason that he can block and be aggressive, especially if he wants to see playing time - or a roster slot - at position that includes Dustin Keller, Charles Clay, Dion Sims, and Kyle Miller.