The most recent Miami Dolphins injury report suggests that the club is in danger of missing star cornerback Jalen Ramsey in their Week 1 battle against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 29-year-old is a seven-time Pro-Bowler, a three-time First-Team All-Pro, a former Super Bowl champion, and PFF’s #6 rated cornerback entering the 2024 campaign. His absence will loom large if he is unable to suit up.
While losing a player of Ramsey’s caliber will always sting, Miami would still be in a prime position to fair well against Jacksonville. First and foremost, the club features a luxury that few other teams possess: a tandem of top-tier corners.
While counterpart Kendall Fuller cannot match Ramsey in terms of career accolades, he is still one of the best players at his position. PFF ranks him#8 in the NFL, giving him a grade of 85.0 over the past two seasons. The safety duo of Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland are also capable of making up ground in Ramsey’s potential absence.
The Matchup with Jacksonville’s Playmakers
The Dolphins elite secondary ranks in the top five in football and has the potential to be dominant. Fortunately for Miami, the Jaguars also lack game-breaking talent in their unit of skill position players. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. can be a game-wrecker. However, the first wave of Miami defenders will largely dictate the success of his running game.
Top receiver Christian Kirk has developed solid chemistry with Lawrence. However, Fuller is more than capable of dominating that one-on-one matchup. Gabe Davis has posted 700+ yards in the past two seasons, but he is now without all-world quarterback Josh Allen.
Rookie Brian Thomas has drawn public praise from Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. He and tight end Evan Engram are legitimate threats that must be monitored.
Thankfully, McDaniel’s secondary, even without Ramsey, still matches up well with Jacksonville. Losing the star DB will make life harder for the Fish. The club should still be favored in this week one matchup, regardless of their star’s presence on the Miami Dolphins injury report.
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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