Buffalo Bills: Ranking the starting safeties of the AFC East
By Rob Spehar
4) Miami Dolphins
Projected Starters – Eric Rowe, Bobby McCain
Even though money was thrown around like candy in South Beach to improve the defense, the safety position looks to stay the same in 2020. General manager Chris Grier didn’t seem to think that the safety position was in need of an immediate upgrade. After moving on from Reshad Jones and the trading away of Minkah Fitzpatrick, one would think that something would have been done.
The current projected starting strong safety for the Miami Dolphins looks to be Eric Rowe. He really made a name for himself last season after intercepting Tom Brady in his final game as a New England Patriot. However, his debut as a Dolphin didn’t begin well after starting at cornerback but after the move to he safety spot once Minkah Fitzpatrick left town is when he shined the most. He ended the season with 81 tackles, 8 passes defended, one forced fumble, and one interception that was returned for the aforementioned touchdown. His strong play was rewarded in the form of a three-year contract worth $16 million.
Starting opposite of Rowe in the free safety spot should be Bobby McCain. Originally drafted out of Memphis to play cornerback, just like Rowe, he was converted to the safety position. He was strong at the corner position but as younger guys started to emerge, he was moved to more of a role-player. He only played in nine games last season, but it was pretty productive tallying 25 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. He excels on passing downs, but his skill at defending the run is a little iffy. The Miami defense is much stronger with him on the field though.
After parting ways with often injured and former Pro Bowler Reshad Jones, Chris Grier went shopping for his replacement in the draft. With the 70th pick in the third round, the Dolphins ended up selecting safety Brandon Jones out of Texas. During his career in Texas, he excelled at tackling where he racked up 233 tackles where 14 of those were for a loss and 1 sack. He is a versatile defender that will give Brian Flores options with what to do in the secondary. He also provides depth at a position that still seems thin.