The 2019 NFL season hasn’t even kicked off yet and the Miami Dolphins, just like every other pro organization, are already off and running looking for next year’s talent. College football gets underway in 8 days when the University of Miami squares off against the University of Florida — but practices and two-a-days can provide plenty of insight into college prospects, too.
That’s exactly what Miami Dolphins executive Reggie McKenzie is banking on — he visited the University of Tennessee earlier this week and spoke briefly with the Vols social media team on what exactly he’s looking to gain in visiting a summer practice.
“(I’m) trying to see physically what they look like, see how they practice and see how they make some plays,” said McKenzie with a sly grin.
“I’m looking for playmakers, that’s what I’m up here for.”
And while one can’t read too much into the word “playmaker” to assume he’s looking for a running back or a wide receiver, one thing is for sure. The Dolphins need playmakers everywhere. Along the offensive line, on the defensive line, pass catchers, linebackers — playmakers can be applied to nearly any area of the Dolphins roster and it would be fair to say the Dolphins need more of them.
So while general manager Chris Grier and company figure out who on the team’s 90-man roster they need to keep, some of Miami’s higher-ups have already shifted their eyes to the horizon for what next year can bring.
