Dolphins at Jets: 5 key players for Miami in Week 2

The Miami Dolphins will face off against the New York Jets on Sunday in a Week 2 meeting between AFC East rivals. Both teams are coming off of wins Mark Duper Jersey , with Miami beating the Tennessee Titans 27-20 this past Sunday and the Jets dispatching the Detroit Lions 48-17 on Monday night, and will be looking to continue a fast start to the 2018 regular season. A lot will have to go right for both clubs, as they look to prove they are better than the preseason pundits predicted.For the Dolphins, several players need to step up and have big games. Miami has to get out to an early lead, then let their defense get after rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, who, after a 16-for-21 for 198 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, is riding high and has the New York fan base feeling good about themselves. Pressuring the rookie should allow Miami’s secondary to continue to pull in interceptions, building off safety Reshad Jones’ two picks last week, with a third interception coming from linebacker Kiko Alonso.These five players need to have big games on Sunday:1. Kenyan DrakeDrake was good last week and needs to continue that this week. He and Frank Gore were able to gash the Titans’ defense early, at one point averaging over nine yards a carry and making it look easy. The Dolphins used Drake in a multitude of ways, including lining him up at receiver. Getting production out of Drake early will allow the offense to open up more, especially with the play action pass, and Miami can get to that lead they need.2. Xavien HowardThe Jets believe they have their franchise quarterback in Darnold http://www.thedolphinslockerroom.com/authentic-mark-clayton-jersey , and he has all the confidence in the world right now after bouncing back from a pick-six on his first NFL pass attempt. It is time for Howard to show Darnold that one good game as a rookie does not define a career. Howard has continually shown that he has the potential to be a true star in the league, a shutdown cornerback that can take away a side of the field. This week, with Darnold likely looking to prove he is what Jets fans saw last week, Howard should get a chance to prove he is the cornerback Dolphins fans and South Florida media believes him to be.3. Josh Sitton, et al.Sitton gets singled out here because he was “banged up” against the Titans and is now on the injury report, but really this is the offensive line as a whole. The Dolphins really need Sitton to be healthy so they can continue to keep the same starting five offensive linemen they have had since April’s offseason training program began. This is the first year in the last several in which it feels like the Dolphins finally have an NFL-caliber offensive line, and they showed it last week. They were able to create some beautiful pockets for Tannehill and they were able to open holes for Drake and Gore. That must continue this week, hopefully with Sitton; if Sitton cannot play, Ted Larsen or Isaac Asiata (pulled up from the practice squad) make the most sense to be his replacement. Miami’s offense will only be as successful as their offensive line, so those five men need to be big on Sunday.4. Raekwon McMillanMcMillan now has a true taste off the NFL after missing all of his rookie season with an ACL tear. The Dolphins need their middle linebacker to start playing up to his potential. He struggled at times this past Sunday, which is understandable for a young player, but the Jets will take the ball right up the middle and challenge McMillan, so he needs to be ready and show he is the right choice to man the middle of Miami’s defense.5. Mike GesickiAt this point, it feels like a given that Miami’s first-round draft pick Womens Nat Moore Jersey , safety/cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, will have a big game and be a playmaker. Now, it is time for the team’s second-round pick, tight end Gesicki, to do the same. He caught one pass for 11 yards last week, and should have had a touchdown pass if the ball did not slip out of/be under thrown from Tannehill’s hand. Gesicki gives Miami something they have not had in a long time, a true seam-threat, red-zone target tight end. This week, they need to get him involved in the passing game early so he can find his rhythm. It is not all on play calling, however, as Gesicki was slowed at the line of scrimmage several times by the Titans’ defense, either with a defensive lineman or a linebacker lining up on top of him and making sure to get a solid jam on the rookie. He has to be able to shed that quickly and move into his route. Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours."WhiteSections 2018 NFL Draft2018 NFL Free Agency2018 Mock Drafts2018 Draft ProspectsThe Splash ZoneThe Splash Zone 4/26/19: Dolphins Select Christian WilkinsNew,2commentsWelcome to the Splash Zone Jordan Phillips Jersey , the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.EDTShareTweetShareShareThe Splash Zone 4/26/19: Dolphins Select Christian WilkinsChristopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsThe Dolphins stuck to their guns last night. Dwayne Haskins was sitting there but the team stuck to the plan and drafted an exciting defensive lineman in Christian Wilkins. The defensive line needed some help as both Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn are no longer with the team. Wilkins is a great personality and is so versatile that he ran and caught passes out of the backfield at Clemson. The Dolphins still have a ton of needs and will look to shore some of those up on day 2 of the NFL Draft.You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.Miami Dolphins pass on quarterback, select DT Christian Wilkins with No. 13 pick in NFL draft - Sun SentinelThe Miami Dolphins took defensive tackle Christian Wilkins from Clemson with the No. 13 pick in the 2019 NFL draft.Dolphins 2019 Draft2019 NFL Draft Grades: Dolphins get an A+ for Christian Wilkins pick, landing difference-maker for D-line - CBSSports.comThe Dolphins stay put at No. 13 and pick up one member of Clemson's terrifying defensive frontDolphins go defensive over quarterback, take Wilkins at 13 | Miami HeraldWith their first-round pick, the Dolphins took Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, a major building block as they rebuild their front seven and great value at 13.Dolphins opt for Christian Wilkins at No. 13 – ProFootballTalkIt was believed that Christian Wilkins would go higher than the low teens. He didn't. But he still landed at No. 13. The Dolphins have made the former Clemson defensive lineman there first pick of the Brian Flores era.Dolphins QuarterbacksMiami Dolphins call the Arizona Cardinals about Josh Rosen | Miami HeraldThe Miami Dolphins, searching for a quarterback in the NFL draft, have called the Arizona Cardinals to show interest in trading for quarterback Josh Rosen. The Cardinals may trade Rosen if they select Kyler Murray in the first round of the draft.Phinsider News You May Have MissedMiami Dolphins News 4/25/19: The NFL Draft Is Finally Here - The PhinsiderWelcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.NFL Mock Draft 2019: Daniel Jeremiah looks defensive for Dolphins - The PhinsiderThe 2019 NFL Draft begins tonight, which means we are in the final hours of mock draft season. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his fourth projection of the first round yesterday, going...2019 NFL Draft: Review of past pick 13 - The PhinsiderThe Miami Dolphins hold the 13th overall pick in tonight’s first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. They have actually held that same position three times in their history, adding A.J. Duhe in 1977,...Phinsider Radio: Latest Miami Dolphins Draft News - The PhinsiderTune in and subscribe while you’re here!2019 NFL Draft Profiles: Jonah Williams http://www.thedolphinslockerroom.com/authentic-jesse-davis-jersey , offensive line, Alabama - The PhinsiderIt is draft day! The Miami Dolphins - and the rest of the league - are just hours away from kicking off the 2019 NFL Draft. We continue to look at some of the players the Dolphins could select...Dolphins trade rumors: Josh Rosen still in play for Miami - The PhinsiderAs the 2019 NFL Draft gets closer, speculation continues to swirl around the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the first overall selection later tonight. Will they use that pick, as everyone presumes, to...NFL trade rumors: Dolphins ‘getting calls with an opportunity to trade back’ - The PhinsiderThe Miami Dolphins are a question mark when it comes to the 2019 NFL Draft. They could be focusing on potential dynamic players, but there is no way to know what position they are coveting the...Clint Clearwater’s 2019 NFL Mock Draft - The Phinsider1.Arizona – Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio St.11 reasons Christian Wilkins is one of the most fun draft picks in years - SBNation.comThe Clemson DT is a great player and an all-around blast.Christian Wilkins will go all-out for the Miami Dolphins - SBNation.comRetired defensive end Stephen White breaks down the former Clemson pass rusher, a solid player who gives elite effort.Miami Dolphins draft results 2019: Christian Wilkins selected in first round - The PhinsiderThe Miami Dolphins have made their first selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. The team came into this year’s draft with no one really knowing what the team could or would do with the 13th overall pick....