Chiefs vs Dolphins: Four under-the-radar Miami players to watch

The Chiefs have not faced Miami since 2017, so the Dolphins have a few players that perhaps some of Chiefs Kingdom has yet to learn about.

The Miami Dolphins have a lot of quality young talent, beginning with rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah is also having a successful season in his first year in South Florida. Wide receiver DeVante Parker and tight end Mike Gesicki are a couple pass catchers who have proven to be good value players on the back end of your fantasy football rosters.

The Chiefs have not faced Miami since 2017, so the Dolphins have a few players that perhaps some of Chiefs Kingdom has yet to learn about. We spoke with Brian Miller over at Phin Phanatic to learn about a few young who may have a big impact on Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

WR Mack Hollins (#86)

Originally drafted in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, Hollins was claimed off waivers in December of the 2019 season. The Dolphins entered the 2020 training camp with a lot of receivers, but Hollins made it to the practice squad. A rash of injuries to the Dolphins receiving corps has opened the door for him, and he has taken advantage of it.

While he isn’t going to become a top NFL receiver, he is a player that will make plays with his speed and uses his 6’4″ body well. He is developing a relationship with Tagovailoa and that will only help his growth. The Dolphins are getting a lot more production from him lately. Hollins also contributes in special teams.

OG Solomon Kindley (#66)

Drafted out of Georgia in the fourth round of last April’s draft, Kindley has been a solid starter for the Dolphins this year. He has struggled in some situations, like many rookies do, but his consistency is getting much better and he appears to be a steal. Kindley has secured himself at the top of the depth chart at right guard, and should be the Dolphins’ long-term answer at the position.

With his massive 6’3″ 337-lb. frame, Kindley isn’t just a road-grader. He has a good balance of tools and can block well in both the ground and passing game.

LB Andrew Van Ginkel (#43)

The Dolphins’ 2019 fifth round draft pick played his college ball at Wisconsin. He lost most of his rookie season while he was on injured reserve. This year, he has stepped up and plays an important role in the defensive unit. He has a 78-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and has started making impact plays at the line of scrimmage consistently.

Van Ginkel fits well in the Brian Flores defense, and is versatile enough to play inside or outside. The 6’4″ 245-lb. linebacker can line up on the line of scrimmage when needed, but he tends to roam more and is used with disguised blitzes. He has a high motor and can do whatever is asked of him, whether that is getting to the quarterback or dropping back in coverage.

CB Nik Needham #40

Needham was added to the Dolphins roster in 2019 after going undrafted. Early in his rookie season, Dolphins fans weren’t too impressed and Needham had a lot of people thinking he would be released. Ultimately, Miami was in the process of purging the entire roster so there was room for him. By mid-season of 2019, Needham had upped his play and settled in as the nickel corner.

He has continued in that role in 2020, and is quietly having a very nice season. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones get all the national press, but Needham has stepped up when needed and the Dolphins defense has gotten solid performance from him. The 6’0″ 195-lb. corner is a hard hitter and has a nose for the ball playing a hybrid safety/corner role in the Flores system.