Dolphins May Cut Ties With Several Members Of 2022 Draft Class

If training camp is for earning jobs, then preseason games are one last opportunity to prove your value to your current team. Many players describe it as a chance to make yourself uncuttable. That may be the kind of heroic effort that is needed from a couple members of Miami Dolphins‘ head coach Mike McDaniels’ first ever draft class.

The 2022 draft class was never filled with big names and that is because the team sent away their first, second, and fourth round selections to land wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs. As such, Mike McDaniels first selection as a head coach didn’t come until pick 102.

The four players selected in his first draft were the infamous Skylar Thompson, who received significant playing time during Tua’s injuries, Channing Tindall, Erik Ezukanma, and Cameron Goode.

Fan Favorite Erik Ezukanma Fighting For His Job

Of the three players looking to find their way onto the roster, Erik “Ez-E” Ezukanma feels the most bleek. The receiver is credited with just one reception in his three seasons on the team. He has been unable to stay healthy, and when healthy he rarely finds himself on the game day roster.

After the addition of Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and last year’s rookie receiver Malik Washington beginning to take form, the Phins are running out of chairs in their receiving room.

Last season Ezukanma was on the team’s practice squad, earning an elevation a handful of times. If he doesn’t show improvement in Sunday’s contest against the Chicago Bears, even a spot on the practice squad could be out of reach for the wideout.

However, Dolphins writer Brian Miller outlined the bright side for the young player.

“Working in his favor this week against the Bears is Dee Eskridge’s injury,” Miller writes. “Ezukanma should see plenty of opportunity against Chicago, and he needs to make the most of every snap.”

Channing Tindall and Cameron Goode Fighting In Team’s Deepest Room

The path to a paycheck could not be more uphill for these two fourth year linebackers. Unfortunately for the pair, the Dolphins defensive front seven is the team’s greatest strength. While both have produced far more than Ezukanma, even that might not be enough to save them this time.

Channing Tindall has a lot of games under his belt, but his production has not been there. Moreover, in his 44 career games, none have been starts. After bringing in Willie Gay and K.J. Britt, it’s hard to imagine the former third round pick in the rotation.

Cameron Goode’s expectations were lower, as he joined the team as a seventh round selection. He did not play his rookie year, but played in every game in 2023 (likely in a special teams role). Last season looked more like the first as he appeared in only three contests.

Occupying the same position as Tindall, I think it’s incredibly unlikely that Goode has a locker come September.

“Goode has struggled,” wrote Brian Miller in a different piece. “After missing his rookie season due to injury, the linebacker couldn’t get it going upon his return. He was available for 17 games in his second year, but like Tindall, didn’t start a single one. The production from the trio, which made up three of the team’s four draft picks in 2022, has not been good.

Despite only four players being drafted, production wasn’t close to what the Dolphins expected, and if none of them make the final roster this year, it would close the book on one of Chris Grier’s worst drafts.”