Shaquill Barrett, a linebacker, announced his retirement a few days before the Miami Dolphins opened training camp for veterans in 2024.
Last Monday, the rookie class of the Miami Dolphins reported to South Florida to begin training camp for the 2024 season. The club will reunite and begin preparations for the regular season’s start in September when the veterans return to the team training facilities on Tuesday. The Dolphins have a void in their roster that they were not anticipating as they ramp up for camp.
Shaquil Barrett, an outside linebacker, committed to a one-year deal with Miami in March of 2007. Barrett joined the Dolphins for just four months of the offseason after a nine-year career that ended on Saturday with his announcement of retirement.
Following his signing as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Barrett played four seasons for the Denver Broncos to begin his career. After relocating to Tampa Bay in 2019, he played for the Bucs for the next five seasons, making two Pro Bowl selections during his tenure.
This year, Barrett was added by the Dolphins to bolster their edge-rushing depth. Should outside linebackers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips require extra time to heal from their season-ending injuries from the previous year, Barrett might end up starting.
Do they have to take action now? Miami may decide to hold steady at the position of edge rusher.
The Dolphins might already have all the edge rushers they require if all goes according to plan. After recovering from an Achilles tendon tear in November, Phillips should be ready for the season opener, but the Dolphins might decide to take their time getting him back to minimize the chance of another injury.
After tearing his ACL in December, Chubb is expected to be placed on the physically unable-to-perform list at the beginning of the season, which will prevent him from playing in the early going. With their rookie class, Miami might already have the players they require.
Chop Robinson, a first-round draft pick, leads a group that also includes Mohamed Kamara, a fifth-round pick, and Grayson Murphy, an undrafted free agent. The Dolphins coaching staff may start the three rookies in the hopes that they develop into reliable contributors who can fill in for Chubb and the other veterans until they are able to return.
Might the Dolphins turn to their rookie class to plug the gap left by Barrett’s retirement?
In an ideal world, rookies Chop Robinson, Grayson Murphy, and Mohamed Kamara would have time to mature and become familiar with the system before being called upon, and Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb would be prepared for action at the beginning of the 2024 campaign. Assuming nothing out of the ordinary happens, this will not be the case.
Between now and week one, there is a lot of uncertainty because Phillips and Chubb are both listed as physically unable to perform. This increases the burden on the rookies to become familiar with the system and prepared to contribute.
Do they feel up to the task? Nothing would be ruled out, in my opinion. During his time in college, Chop Robinson demonstrated his deadly first step and speed. Additionally, athletes like Grayson Murphy and Mo Kamara carry a heavy burden. If only something would click, Miami’s issues would all be resolved.
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