Fansided

Juiciest training camp battle for each NFL team

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Stephone Anthony (44) celebrates after stopping Buffalo Bills fullback Mike Tolbert from getting a first down in the second quarter at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. The Bills won, 22-16. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Stephone Anthony (44) celebrates after stopping Buffalo Bills fullback Mike Tolbert from getting a first down in the second quarter at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. The Bills won, 22-16. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

Miami Dolphins: Stephone Anthony vs. Jerome Baker

The Miami Dolphins have spent the offseason getting rid of a bunch of their high-priced  talent, and it is anybody’s guess how the 2018 campaign will play out for them. Back in 2016, in head coach Adam Gase’s first season at the helm, the Dolphins were a Wild Card team, but they look far from being that again any time soon.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill seems to finally be healthy, which means Dolphins fans will not have to go through another season of Jay Cutler pouting for 17 weeks. On the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphins got rid of star defensive end Ndamukong Suh this offseason, so they are going to need other position groups to step up.

At linebacker, Stephone Anthony is expected to start at one of the outside positions after coming to the Dolphins via a trade with the New Orleans Saints. However, in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the team selected Jerome Baker out of Ohio State, and he is going to push Anthony for the starting job on the strong side.

Baker actually was going to play his college ball in the state of Florida, but ended up spurning the Florida Gators for Ohio State. During his time with the Buckeyes, he was a tackling machine, and is the kind of hybrid player than can come up against the run, but also be very good against the pass, making him a solid selection in round three.

The Dolphins figure to struggle on defense this season, as the team starts to make the transition to being a younger unit. They still have quality guys like Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn up front, and if Baker and first rounder Minkah Fitzpatrick step up as rookies, they may be better than expected on that side of the ball. It is a make or break year for Anthony, as the team declined his option as well.