Kelly: Take a look at some of Dolphins best training camp battles | Opinion
Mike McDaniel is always talking about creating competitive environments, but his words are rarely backed up by his actions.
The one major gripe I’ve had about the McDaniel era of the Miami Dolphins has been the fact just about everyone is given - if not gifted - their spot on the depth chart, and role on the team.
In four years there have been fewer than one handful of actual camp competitions.
Liam Eichenberg lost his starting guard spot to Isaiah Wynn in Miami’s 2023 camp.
Tight end Jillian Hill beat out a draftee (Elijah Higgins) to make Miami’s 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, and then he unseated Durham Smythe as the first-team in-line tight end last camp.
Ethan Bonner played ahead of Cam Smith as rookies in 2023, and Storm Duck eventually leapfrogged Smith on the depth chart in 2024.
And last camp Skylar Thompson unseated Mike White as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup at quarterback after finally being allowed to compete after outperforming him the previous camp.
That’s it for McDaniel’s Dolphins’ training camp battles, which feeds into the perception that Miami runs a soft program since competition is rarely encouraged, if not rewarded.
If McDaniel wants to build a better Dolphins team he needs to change that approach, letting players keep what they earn.
Here’s a look at 10 of training camp’s best position battles, and how they might turn out.
Backup QB: Zach Wilson vs. Quinn Ewers
The Dolphins targeted Wilson as a free agent, and are paying him $6 million to serve as Tagovailoa’s backup. However, Ewers, a 2025 seventh-round pick, has performed just as well as Wilson in training camp, with far less around him. The old adage in football is that if it’s even the tie goes to the rookie because of his upside. Ewers, who makes quick reads and bold throws regularly, would need dominant performances in the preseason to leapfrog Wilson because of the former second-overall pick’s experience (33 NFL starts) edge.
Starting nickel: Mike Hilton vs. Cornell Armstrong
Hilton has started 56 games the past eight seasons, establishing himself as a reliable nickel cornerback, which happens to be a position Miami desperately needs because of the season-ending knee injury Kader Kohou sustained in camp’s first week. But Armstrong, a 2018 Dolphins sixth-round pick who returned to the franchise that drafted him three weeks ago, continues to work ahead of Hilton in practice. The Dolphins could be taking their time with Hilton, 31, who was also added three weeks ago. But Armstrong has value as a gunner on special teams, and the Dolphins might be trying to speed up his nickel development to assess his upside.
In-line TE: Julian Hill vs. Pharaoh Brown
Hill has started 15 games the past two seasons because of his ability as an in-line blocker. He has been position coach Jon Embree’s pet project at tight end for two years, but he hasn’t taken the next step, becoming more consistent. Brown, a seven-year veteran who has started 54 NFL games, looks like he’s running in jeans at practice because of how slow he moves. But he’s a forceful blocker whose presence on the field might allow Miami to turn up the volume on the run game. While Darren Waller remains on the physically unable to perform list expect both tight ends to work as Miami’s starter.
Starting ILB: Tyrel Dodson vs. Willie Gay Jr.
Our eyes testify that Gay Jr. should be a starter because the versatile linebacker makes an impactful play just about every day of training camp. But that’s because he excels as a blitzer, and in coverage. The Dolphins need an inside linebacker who excels against the run, and the hope is that Dodson is that player. That’s why he’s Miami’s green dot linebacker, wearing the helmet that communicates with the coaches. Expect Miami to create a package incorporating Gay as a third linebacker because Dodson will be given every opportunity to settle in as the signal caller of Anthony Weaver’s defense. But keep in mind that Miami swapped out its signal caller early last season, going from David Long Jr. to Anthony Walker because of performance issues (one of McDaniel’s few in-season demotions in three years), and the defense improved making that switch.
Backup RB: Jaylen Wright vs. Alexander Mattison
Wright, who played early as a rookie and then disappeared, has redefined his physique with the hopes it would cement him as De’Von Achane’s top backup. But since the pads have come on Mattison has been the most impressive and consistent performer in Miami’s stable of backs, churning out yards no matter what line he’s running behind. Clearly the edge goes to the draftee of the Dolphins, but Mattison, a seven-year veteran with 26 NFL starts, can use the exhibition season to prove he deserves to be on the gameday roster.
Fourth WR: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine vs. Dee Eskridge
If the Dolphins didn’t already pay Westbrook-Ikhine $2 million and guarantee his $1.2 million base salary it’s possible that he might not make the 53-man roster based on his camp showing so far. He has been one of camp’s least productive receivers, but the Dolphins covet his size (6-foot-2, 211) for red-zone plays. Eskridge, a former second-round pick entering his fifth NFL season, has flashed regularly in practice. At this point Eskridge might be the first receiver off the bench if he masters the playbook.
Backup O-lineman: Kion Smith vs. Daniel Brunskill
Lian Eichenberg and center Aaron Meyer are Miami’s top backup offensive linemen, but seeing as how both might begin the 2025 regular season on injured reserve because of the injuries they are rehabbing, the Dolphins need to make sure they have capable backups to start the season. Larry Borom has struggled as the backup swing tackle, but the improvement he has shown as Austin Jackson’s replacement lately should keep him safe. Smith, who plays both tackle and guard, and Brunskill, who plays all three interior spots, are potentially battling for the final 53-man roster spot that goes to an offensive lineman.
Backup DT: Jordan Phillips vs. Matt Dickerson
This is your classic battle between a green, unproven draftee versus a grizzled experienced veteran. Phillips, the Dolphins’ 2025 fifth-round pick, has had a quiet camp. He’s clearly adjusting to the NFL game and at times looks lost. The game slows down for some rookies after their first preseason game, and that could be the case. Dickerson, who spent half the season with the Dolphins last year, has been one of camp’s top performers. But has Dickerson been dominating the interior of Miami’s troublesome second-team offensive line? This week’s joint practices against the Chicago Bears and preseason opener should provide a few hints whether Dickerson is a keeper.
Last edge rusher: Cameron Goode vs. Grayson Murphy
Goode, who is a season removed from a knee injury he sustained at the end of the 2023 season, has had a quiet training camp while a handful of pass rushers such as Murphy have flashed on a regular basis, producing numerous would-be sacks if the action were live. Are players such as Murphy and Derrick McLendon taking advantage of Miami’s troublesome tackle play? Or are they just that good, and need to be kept on the 53-man roster? Goode, a 2022 seventh-round pick who is a core special teams contributor, will need to make impact plays in Miami’s three preseason games to extend his South Florida stay another fall.
Last safety: Patrick McMorris vs. Dante Trader Jr.
McMorris, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and Trader, a 2025 fifth-round pick, get pole position for the final safety spot behind Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ashtyn Davis (who might begin year on injured reserve), Ifeatu Melifonwu and Elijah Campbell because of their status as draftees. That’s the only reason they’re listed ahead of Jordan Colbert and John Saunders Jr., who have each made impactful plays in training camp. This battle for the final safety spot will likely come down to each player’s special teams abilities and the role they hold on that unit. It doesn’t help that Trader has missed a week of camp because of an undisclosed injury.
