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NFL training camp: Best battle to watch for each team

By John Buhler

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Justin Bethel
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Justin Bethel /
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DAVIE, FL – MAY 5: Raekwon McMillan of the Miami Dolphins talks to the media during the rookie minicamp on May 5, 2017 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Florida. McMillan, a linebacker from Ohio State, was the Dolphins 2nd round pick and the 54th overall selection in the NFL draft. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
DAVIE, FL – MAY 5: Raekwon McMillan of the Miami Dolphins talks to the media during the rookie minicamp on May 5, 2017 at the Miami Dolphins training facility in Davie, Florida. McMillan, a linebacker from Ohio State, was the Dolphins 2nd round pick and the 54th overall selection in the NFL draft. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Miami Dolphins: Raekwon McMillan vs. Koa Misi

It’ll be interesting to see how the Miami Dolphins come out this year as a team with some expectations. They did reach the AFC Playoffs last January for the first time in eight year, albeit having a super soft schedule totally helped. Miami is strong enough offensively to be a top-six team in the AFC again, but what about that defense?

The Dolphins did plan to lose former defensive coordinator Vance Joseph at some point. After only one middling year defensively in Miami couldn’t have been what the Dolphins organization expected, but here we are. Fortunately, there was a succession plan in place to offset losing Joseph to a head coaching gig. Linebackers coach Matt Burke will take the reigns of the defense, but his former position group and back-seven of the Miami defense is a major cause for concern going forward for this team.

Miami has to get better at linebacker, simply put. Kiko Alonso looks to be an integral piece in the Dolphins linebacking corps. While he can make plays on the ball, his frailty severely limits the Dolphins upside at the position group. Where it comes down to how good the Dolphins defense will be is at outside linebacker. Who rises to the occasion in 2017: rookie Raekwon McMillan or veteran Koa Misi?

Miami made a great selection in taking McMillan out of Ohio State. He was a former blue-chip prospect coming out of high school in his native Georgia. The guy projects to be a high-end NFL starter, but will he be that in 2017? Misi has been with Miami since 2010. He can handle the position, but his own health issues and McMillan’s upside could see him lose a starting role by the time the season starts.