Jason Marshall Jr. Looking Like Draft Steal for Dolphins

Jason Marshall Jr. Looking Like Draft Steal for Dolphins

Usually, in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, teams are just searching for players who can be helpful on special teams or be developmental prospects you hope can contribute to your team at some point down the line.

Rarely does a team select a player who will be a major contributor in year one.

Fortunately for Miami, it seems like they have found one of those contributors in fifth-round selection, Jason Marshall Jr.

It is a good thing too, as Marshall Jr. plays the cornerback position, specifically at the nickel, which, heading into August, was the Dolphins’ thinnest position.

Going into training camp, the room as a whole was not looking great, and then when you add in the injury of incumbent nickel starter Kader Kohou, it looked like the Dolphins were going to be in major trouble.

The team added long-time veteran Mike Hilton early in training camp, but it seems as if Marshall Jr. has already surpassed him, as Hilton was cut on Monday.

It makes sense why.

Heading into college at the University of Florida, Marshall Jr. was a heavily touted, five-star prospect who seemed to have all the tools.

Marshall Jr. lived up to the hype for a few of those years, but was also inconsistent at times, and thus he fell into the later rounds of the draft.

It was not for a lack of athleticism, though.

Marshall Jr. ranked 11th out of all cornerbacks at the combine and also flashed his speed with a 4.49 40-yard dash and 1.55 10-yard split.

He has been noticed for his strong play in camp, especially Minkah Fitzpatrick, and that should be able to help him stay on the 53-man roster.

His play might even push Hilton off the roster.

Things looked dire about a month ago in the secondary with the loss of Kohou.

But luckily for Miami, another draft steal similar to Kohou stepped up.

Marshall Jr. does not seem like a flash in the pan either.

He seems like he is here to stay and make a real impact in his first NFL season.