Omar Kelly: Dolphins’ young cornerbacks getting baptism by fire during training camp

Noah Igbinoghene and Trill Williams began their NFL careers from inverse positions despite playing the same position.

Noah Igbinoghene has the pedigree of being a former first-round pick, and the unfortunate distinction of being a disappointment in his first two NFL seasons.

As an undrafted player the Dolphins claimed off the waiver wire last spring, Trill Williams entered camp with no hype, or expectations. Yet the former Syracuse standout made the team based on his strong practices.

Oddly enough, these young cornerbacks find themselves in the same exact spot, facing the same adversity this training camp.

While Byron Jones rehabs the ankle he underwent surgery for in the spring, and Xavien Howard paces himself during the early weeks of camp, Igbinoghene and Williams are undergoing a baptism by fire as the cornerbacks responsible for covering receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle most of practice.

Even though the pair has had their share of good plays, like the back of the end zone interception Williams pulled down on Monday defending a pass intended for Waddle, the majority of their practice reps have been spent playing catch the speedster, with the goal of not being embarrassed by Hill and Waddle.

So when those wins do come courtesy of a deflections, an interception, or a pick-six like the one Williams delivered during camp’s first practice last week, there’s a tremendous amount of pride instilled. And it often comes with an ovation from the entire defense.

“One handed too,” Williams said referring to Monday’s interception. “It’s meaningful because practice translates to the games. If I can make these plays now in front of the coaches they’ll have confidence to put me into the game to make those same plays.”

And if the pair can stick with Hill, a six-time Pro Bowler, and Waddle, who set the NFL record for rookie receptions in a season, downfield they should be able to keep pace with anyone in the NFL.

“They’re one of the two top receivers in this league, so if you can be successful against them, consistent against them, that shows how you’re able to do against the rest of the league,” said Igbinoghene, who underwent a similar experience last year at this point in camp.

While Howard held a hold-in, sitting out practice’s first week before his contract was adjusted in 2021, Igbinoghene worked with the starters and struggled so much he got demoted to the third-team defense.

Igbinoghene has been doing slightly better this time around and credits the pressing technique he’s learning from former Dolphins legend Sam Madison, his new position coach, and a changed diet, becoming a vegan.

He’s also altered his mindset, focusing less on the negative, flushing his early struggles like most good cornerbacks have learned to flush bad plays.

In hindsight, Igbinoghene said he heard the criticism that accompanied his early struggles, and it chipped away at his confidence.

But that’s in the past. These days he’s focused on maximizing each opportunity.

“I look to be really dominant against them (Hill and Waddle) so I can be dominant against the rest of the receivers in this league,” said Igbinoghene, who has started three of the 23 games he’s played in, contributing 19 tackles, two pass deflections and forcing two fumbles. “It’s a blessing just to have those two players on my team and I can’t wait to see what they do, and what this team does as well.”

Williams, who has a unique blend of size and athleticism, appreciates the opportunity he’s been given to prove himself. Last year this time he was at the end of the depth chart, and usually got on the field with the third teamers.

Consistent practices got Williams promoted up the depth chart, and he’s hoping they’ll eventually earn him a contributing role this year.

“I’m really focused on right now and the situation I’m in right now and just coming to work every day. I’m not really worried about ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) and Byron (Jones) honestly. I’m worried about myself and this team and me getting better at my job because I have a role to play on this team,” said Williams, who played in one regular-season game last season. “I just want to come to work every single day and do my job the best way possible.”

Sam Madison has stressed to both cornerbacks that they need to improve on their physicality, using their size to be more aggressive as bump and run cornerbacks.

They are both working to master the pressing style that made Madison a four-time Pro Bowler, and two-time first-team All-Pro before he became an NFL assistant.

The hope is that one, or both will blossom into a player the Dolphins can lean on when called into action.

Only time, and continued development, will provide that answer.

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