There is a saying in football — particularly in scouting — that you want players who can “check all the boxes”. What are these proverbial boxes? Criteria, qualities, skills, mentality, etc. And the more we get to know about former Auburn fullback Chandler Cox, the more it becomes apparent that he is a guy who checked all the boxes for Chris Grier, Brian Flores and company.
In a league that has watched the demand for fullbacks slowly whittle away, Cox was made a 7th-round selection by the Dolphins as a fullback last month. Surprising? Maybe a little bit, but not once you sink your teeth into Cox’s athletic ability.
Head coach Brian Flores spoke specifically about Cox, who has spent some time during this weekend’s rookie minicamp working with the tight ends in addition to the backs.
“I think (Cox) is a versatile player. I think he’s somebody that can move around in the backfield and in some tight end positions. You can split him out a little bit,” said Flores. “He’s going to work with the tight ends, he’s going to work with the backs, he’s going to move around. He’s somebody that’s got that ability. He’s going to work in the kicking game as well. He’s thrown the football. He’s a former quarterback. We’ll see what he can do there.”
There’s that word again — versatile. In Cox, the Dolphins have a guy who can contribute:
- On the edge of the line of scrimmage
- Out of the backfield
- As a blocker
- As a receiver
- On special teams
- Potentially as a gadget player
With those boxes checked, it’s no wonder the Dolphins didn’t want to risk letting this measly fullback slip through their fingers. With toughness, physicality and versatility, Chandler Cox might not be a high impact player, but he’s the quintessential Miami Dolphin in 2019.
