Dolphins Stock Report (Day 7): Has Benito Jones locked up a starting role on defense?

Benito Jones could potentially have the distinction of becoming the first Miami Dolphins practice squad player to grow up and become a starter for the team since Jesse Davis.

Davis began his career in Miami as a practice squad player Miami added after the New York Jets released him in 2016 wound up started 72 games for Miami over five seasons

Jones, a free agent addition who is competing with Teair Tart to become the nose tackle that replaces Raekwon Davis, began his career in Miami when the Dolphins added the former Ole Miss starter as an undrafted rookie in 2020.

Jones spent his first two NFL seasons with the Dolphins, initially making the 53-man roster and playing in games before bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and the 53-man roster until he was claimed by the Detroit Lions in 2022.

In Detroit he played 34 games, and blossomed into a starter last season. But the Lions didn’t re-sign him in the offseason and the 6-foot-1, 335 pounder signed a one-year deal worth $1.8 million to join the Dolphins.

Based on what’s happened the first week of training camp, Jones is seemingly being groomed to play a prominent role in Anthony Weaver’s new defense, where his main role will be to take on two blockers on early downs, keeping the inside linebackers clean.

“[My career] was definitely a journey. I went up there and played some really good ball. I learned a lot up there, but I’m glad to be back,” said Jones, who recorded 24 tackles and one sack in the 567 defensive snaps he played last season. “Coming in undrafted I had a chip on my shoulder. I just wanted to get on the field. It taught me that when you get the opportunity, take full advantage of it.”

That appears to be what Jones is seemingly doing every training camp day.

TOP PERFORMER

Stock Up

Quinton Bell, who was on Miami’s practice squad last season, has been one of the pleasant surprises of training camp this season. He’s been so good it’s safe to expect him to play a prominent role in Miami’s defense in 2024. On Thursday he showcased why by routinely embarrassing Kendall Lamm, setting the edge effectively, making would-be tackles against scrambling tailbacks, and pressuring the passer.

Raheem Mosert’s one of the many 30-something pros that have been put on ice for training camp, but the 10-year veteran was eye opening fast when he handled a few carries on Thursday. Mostert turned the corner twice on outside runs, gaining yards in bunches, showcasing his speed.

Stock Down

Kendall Lamm has been a pillar of consistency going back to last season, where he was an above average starter for Miami for seven games. On Thursday, Bell’s performance had this 10-year veteran resembling a rookie. There were false starters, holds, and would-be sacks allowed. Miami will need better from the team’s top swing tackle.

Ethan Bonner has been one of camp’s pleasant surprises, filling in admirably on days Kendall Fuller doesn’t work, like Thursday. However, the former Stanford standout who spent last season developing on Miami’s practice squad, got abused by Jalen Waddle and others during the 11-on-11 periods.

TAKEAWAY FROM THE DAY

Thursday’s practice featured a heavy blitz look from Weaver, especially when Miami was doing situational periods on third downs. It was a challenge to recognize where the pressure was coming from, and who was dropping back into coverage. Weaver’s defense kind of reminded me of the pressure packages Brian Flores ran in 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Dolphins. The Dolphins might be limited in terms of what the defense can achieve from a pass coverage standpoint until Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are medically cleared to play, but once they return, and are back to being the impactful edge rushers they were in 2023 before the injury, this defense could be scary good. Keep in mind, the Dolphins set a franchise record for sacks produced last season.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I’ve learned a lot playing with [Jalen] Ramsey,” said Tyreek Hill, who is matched up with Ramsey for most of training camp’s practices, as Ramsey shadows him. “understanding different leverages, understanding different releases I can use against different guys with longer arms. The process has been fun.”