The Miami Dolphins invested highly in linebacker Raekwon McMillan two years ago this month. And while McMillan’s career hasn’t gathered the momentum all parties involved would obviously have preferred, things are trending in the right direction.
McMillan had a strong second half of the season in 2018, his first of active duty after spending 2017 on injured reserve with a torn ACL. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but McMillan finds himself in as favorable of conditions as possible to maximize his talents. It is because of his surroundings and his own progression that the time is now for McMillan to shine.
McMillan was a booming hitter coming out of Ohio State, at his best between the tackles where he could flow downhill and attack gaps — using his physicality to stuff up lanes and make a mess of the offensive point of attack. We got to see some of that first hand last year, especially in Miami’s upset win over the New England Patriots in the Miami Miracle. The effort was inspired and the Dolphins’ defensive game plan held the Patriots to 77 yards rushing on 30 attempts. That execution was spearheaded by McMillan between the tackles.
With Brian Flores in town, McMillan can play to that strength with consistency. After all, the Patriots have their own thumper at linebacker — Dont’a Hightower. And while Hightower isn’t a fit in most defenses across the league in 2019, he is right at home in New England’s front seven.
McMillan is the same caliber of athlete. He’s probably got a touch more range, but he’s also not quite as heavy as Hightower. Preparation and film study will help McMillan take his next step as a player. Given Brian Flores’ call to be a team that is “smart, disciplined, fundamentally sound and aggressive”, McMillan has the chance to take a leadership role in this defense.
Elder teammate Kiko Alonso, for his merits, doesn’t qualify as disciplined or fundamentally sound. So in summary, there’s a vacancy in leadership on the Dolphins’ front seven and a tailor made role for McMillan courtesy of this new coaching staff that few teams elsewhere could offer. The time is now, Raekwon.
