Why Jevon Holland's potential stardom will be unlocked by Dolphins DC Vic Fangio | Schad
MIAMI GARDENS — It would be disappointing, and frankly, surprising, if Dolphins safety Jevon Holland is not a Pro Bowl safety as early as 2023, and a candidate for years to come.
That's how much of an impact we expect incoming defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to have on Holland's career.
"We’ve had some good luck with safeties over the years in the last few stops," Fangio said recently. "I’m hopeful and confident that Jevon can be one of the top safeties in the league.”
This is not hyperbole from the straight-shooting, no-nonsense Fangio.
He knows what a safety is supposed to look like and run like and hit like. He knows about the intellect and preparation and instincts required to stand out in his safety-friendly scheme.
It's Holland.
"I like his physical ability, his combination of size, speed, quickness, he’s got good instincts," Fangio said. "I think he’s smart from a football standpoint."
Holland was very good as a rookie. In fact, he was the fourth-graded safety in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
But last year, Holland did not take a giant leap forward, instead ranking 40th by PFF.
But there were legitimate reasons Holland likely did not meet his own high expectations.
Why Jevon Holland's emergence was delayed
Holland's assignments changed, specifically after safety Brandon Jones was lost for the season after only seven games. Notably, Holland was more often asked to play closer to the line of scrimmage and also to cover receivers in more one-on-one situations.
Tackles went up. But big plays, such as interceptions, did not. And blitzing was way down, too.
Holland has the physical talents to make incredible plays in the deep third of the field.
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Physically, Holland can make plays like some of the safeties he's studied and admired such as Ed Reed and Bob Sanders. And in Fangio's scheme, his football acumen should encourage a big bloom.
How well do talented safeties perform in Fangio's scheme?
Six of Fangio's safeties have been named Pro Bowlers.
Vic Fangio coaches Pro Bowl safeties
If Antoine Bethea, Dashon Goldson, Eddie Jackson, Eric Reid, Justin Simmons and Donte Whitner can all reach the Pro Bowl playing for Fangio, Holland should be next.
Miami's defense had become a bit too predictable in 2022.
Under Fangio, there should be more zone coverage. More confusion for the opposing quarterback.
And more bold pre-snap movements from the safety position.
Players are emboldened to read off of the players around them and make instinctive, game-changing plays with some freedom. That's what some of Fangio's former standouts say.
Disguise of coverage, more variation in zone and more flooding of the middle of the field should all benefit Holland greatly. Holland could not have been built better for this new assignment.
Over the past two years, coaches have trusted Holland as an on-field communicator. That's largely why he was named a team captain at the age of 22.
Holland takes football very, very seriously and has an intense focus and drive to become great.
"I want to be respected and I want to be recognized; and if I’m recognized and I’m respected, that means I’m playing well," Holland said last season. "And I’m going to continue to try to play the best I can because I want to be the best. If you’re competing at this level and you don’t want to be the best, then you’re just floating. I’ve got a direction and I know what I want to be."
Holland is going to have a new position coach and a new secondary coach and, yes, most importantly, a new coordinator with a proven scheme. Everything should improve for Holland in 2023.
Production. Big plays. Accolades.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jevon Holland and Vic Fangio are splendid Miami Dolphins combination
