Mike McDaniel: Skylar Thompson's performances create ‘very tricky' roster decision at QB
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel knew going into training camp he’d eventually have to make tough decisions on whom to keep at wide receiver and running back.
He didn’t think he’d have to sweat out quarterback.
In a testament to how seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson has performed this preseason, McDaniel said Sunday that it’s a “very tricky” situation on whether to keep Thompson as a third quarterback on the 53-man roster or place him on the practice squad, where any team could pluck him away with no compensation.
More: It sure looks like Skylar Thompson did enough to make the Dolphins
More: Loss of Dolphins VP Jason Jenkins leaves Mike McDaniel emotional, feeling helpless | Habib
More: Dolphins' Raheem Mostert is fast again and he knows it, showed it
McDaniel and the Dolphins have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to reduce the roster to 53.
“He should hold his head high and hopefully rest easy because he has done quite literally everything you can to be a part of this team,” McDaniel said of Thompson.
Thompson led the NFL this preseason with five touchdown passes against zero interceptions.
"I think I've done everything I can do," Thompson said. "You know, everything in my control."
In the three games, he went 36-of-48 for 450 yards for a 138.4 passer rating, which also led all quarterbacks with at least 42 attempts.
This was all unexpected at draft time.
“Those type of players that are able to, as rookies, come in and contribute are always really exciting,” McDaniel said. “And it's more rare that you see a quarterback doing that.”
Tua Tagovailoa is the unquestioned starter, backed up by veteran Teddy Bridgewater. McDaniel said he has been with teams that have kept only two QBs but some with three. By keeping Thompson on the 53, the Dolphins would protect exclusive rights to him, but it also would mean using a slot on a player who might not play a down in 2022 at the expense of another player who could help on special teams.
“I think he's opened eyes with the way he's played and you know, it's made that situation very tricky in terms of whether or not you can try to have them on practice squad or keep them on the 53,” McDaniel said.
Edge defender Trey Flowers agrees to join Dolphins
Another veteran edge rusher is on the verge of joining the Dolphins, who added Melvin Ingram in May. This time it’s Trey Flowers, the former Patriots and Lions defender, a league source confirmed.
Flowers, 29, was a fourth-round pick of New England in 2015 who had a string of four seasons with at least 6.5 sacks starting in 2016. But he has been slowed by injuries the past two seasons in Detroit, playing a total of just 14 games and making just 3.5 sacks.
Pro Football Focus graded him in a tie for 64th out of 110 qualifying edge defenders last season.
Flowers tried out for the Dolphins last week and McDaniel said a deal is in the works.
“What I saw was a guy that's in shape, that’s ready to play,” McDaniel said. “He's a consummate professional with a lot of versatility to his game.”
Noteworthy: No decision yet on Byron Jones
Starting cornerback Byron Jones had offseason leg surgery and has been on the physically unable to perform list during training camp. The Dolphins now have a decision to make on his readiness to possibly play vs. New England in the opener Sept. 11. The Dolphins must decide by Tuesday afternoon whether to place Jones on the active roster or keep him on PUP, which would mean he’d miss at least four games. McDaniel called it “a fluid situation.” … McDaniel praised backup tackle Greg Little for doing “a great job” in Saturday’s victory over Philadelphia. … McDaniel continued to honor Jason Jenkins, a Dolphins senior vice president who suddenly died Saturday at age 47, leaving behind a wife and three young children. McDaniel was emotional about the tragedy in his postgame news conference but said he had no choice but to speak from the heart. Coping remained difficult Sunday. “I can only hope to leave a legacy like he did with people that I work with,” McDaniel said.
Hal Habib covers the Dolphins for The Post. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: McDaniel: ‘Tricky' situation at QB, where Thompson could make Dolphins
