As for the Y spot, Gray has been stiff arming his competition — veteran free agent Gavin Escobar and rookie Durham Smythe, Miami’s fourth-round pick in 2018 — and appears to be well on his way to becoming the season-opening starter if he’s healthy.
Gray has filled in as a starter for 14 games during his career, seven of which were with the Dolphins in 2016, which happens to be his most productive NFL season. That season Gray caught 14 passes for 174 yards, but more importantly, he was an instrumental blocker during Jay Ajayi’s big games, serving as a catalyst for Miami’s effective running game that season.
But those starts were a byproduct of injuries to other players, not Gray’s performance in practice. This time around, Gray appears to be showing his skills are deserving of recognition.
According to coach Adam Gase, the biggest jump Gray has made in his game from the previous two seasons is the mental aspect.
“He’s right where he wants to be because it’s more of he’s reacting and not thinking,” Gase said.
“You’re working with different guys all of the time — tackles, another tight end, a receiver might come down that you have to do something with, pass protection, the routes. You have to be sharp. You have to be able to pick things up. I think the longer you’re in one spot, it helps you.”
Go Gophers!!
