NFL

Miami Dolphins Snap Conclusions: Who played, who didn't and what it means

Joe Schad
Palm Beach Post

The Dolphins pulled off a minor upset at New England on Sunday, 17-16, keyed by Xavien Howard's forced fumble and recovery late in the fourth quarter.

Let's take a look at some snap counts from Sunday's game. It can often be surprising to see who played much more or much less than was initially realized.

TE Mike Gesicki (21 snaps, 39 percent) — Gesicki was targeted twice and did not have a catch. Miami has a slew of receivers and now Will Fuller is set to return. In part because the Dolphins started a rookie at left tackle, blocking was a priority. Durham Smythe played 70 percent of Miami's snaps. Hunter Long and Cethan Carter actually totaled more snaps played than Gesicki. 

Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after getting a first down on a pass reception in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 4, 2020.  [ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post]

RB Salvon Ahmed (11 snaps, 20 percent) — Ahmed had only two carries for four yards and two catches for 24 yards. It's clear that Myles Gaskin, who played 29 snaps, or 54 percent, is Miami's top back. It will be interesting to see how the backup battle between Ahmed and Malcolm Brown evolves. Brown actually had five snaps more than Ahmed, averaging 3.2 yards on five carries.

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LB Sam Eguavoen (36 snaps, 48 percent) — Eguavoen and Elandon Roberts evenly split snaps, which is an ideal arrangement for the Dolphins. Eguaveon is fast and a hard hitter, but he can also cover. Meanwhile Roberts is an aggressive run-stopper. These guys played a bunch more snaps than Brennan Scarlett (26) and Jaelan Phillips (22), who it appears is being brought along slowly.

CB Nik Needham (35 snaps, 47 percent) — Needham is Miami's third cornerback, ahead of free agent signing Justin Coleman, who received only two snaps. They keep trying to run off Nik Needham, but he won't go away. That's probably because he's good. Miami has an embarrassment of riches in the secondary. Consider their safeties Jason McCourty, Eric Rowe, Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones are all starting-caliber talents.

DL Zach Sieler (28 snaps, 37 percent) — It seems odd that Sieler didn't play more. John Jenkins was forced to play 45 snaps after Raekwon Davis left after only five. Adam Butler was the biggest reason, taking 48 snaps, for 64 percent. Butler was facing his former team and was surely highly motivated. Sieler had three tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He is the real deal. Butler, incidentally, had two tackles.