Can Long Become X-Factor for Dolphins Offense?

The Miami Dolphins bought main contributions from their 4 first- and second-round picks within the 2021 NFL draft, and the hope is that third-round choose Hunter Lengthy will be part of the social gathering in his second season.

The tight finish from Boston Faculty had little impression as a rookie buried on the depth chart, however the Dolphins drafted him for a motive.

One motive for optimism, in addition to Lengthy having gained a 12 months of expertise, is that he seems to be greater and stronger than he did as a rookie.

To that finish, Lengthy figures to be far more efficient if he is referred to as on to dam in 2022, one thing tight ends are anticipated to do within the offensive scheme that new head coach Mike McDaniel has introduced with him from San Francisco.

Dolphins Have Similar Tight Finish Group

The Dolphins nonetheless have the identical 5 tight ends they’d on the roster final season after re-signing Durham Smythe as a free agent and placing the franchise tag on Mike Gesicki, with Cethan Carter and Adam Shaheen the opposite two.

Lengthy was behind all 4 final season, however he actually would appear to have the chance to leap forward of no less than Carter and Shaheen in 2022 if he exhibits the specified enchancment from final 12 months.

It could be that Lengthy might grow to be the second receiving tight finish at possibility behind Gesicki and the second blocking possibility behind Smythe, which actually would make him invaluable for the offense.

“I simply want to indicate extra what I can do,” Lengthy stated. “And I am assured I will do it this 12 months and carve out a job.”

When speaking about all the explanations for optimism for the 2022 offense, enchancment from Lengthy is not sometimes — if ever — talked about, but it surely nonetheless might be an element.

Trying Again at Hunter Lengthy’s Rookie Season

Let’s face it, just about something the Dolphins can get from Lengthy will probably be an enchancment from final season when Lengthy had one catch for 8 yards all season.

It wasn’t a very wasted rookie 12 months for Lengthy, nonetheless.

“Yeah, I imply, I realized loads on and off the sector,” Lengthy stated. “I imply, it is an enormous, large rising part for anybody to make that leap. And I realized loads about myself and what I can do, and my work ethic hasn’t modified. I am gonna come out and do what I do, and the way a lot I plan and when, that is as much as them. So I am gonna maintain doing what I can do and attempt to assist the staff as a lot as I can.”

Lengthy is listed at 6-5, 253 on the Dolphins roster, that are his identical dimensions as final 12 months. However his physique completely seems to be totally different.

“I undoubtedly bulked up,” he stated. “I have not gained a lot weight, however I gained some acquire some muscle, misplaced some fats. Simply making an attempt to do what I can do. I attempted to assault it this offseason and I am gonna maintain attacking it.

“Everybody form of watches their very own tape and everybody can see it on tape. So these have been adjustments that I felt I wanted and I attempted to assault it.”

Whether or not a stronger, extra skilled Lengthy will imply a greater, extra productive Lengthy for the offense stays to be seen. But when that occurs, will probably be only one extra added piece for a Dolphins offense already crammed with promise.