Five Dolphins position battles to watch during training camp and preseason
The Miami Dolphins have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL but multiple positions are up for grabs this summer.
On offense, the Dolphins will have to find a replacement for over 100 targets that were lost in free agency departures, and competition for a backup spot could be the most compelling.
On defense, Miami needs to settle on a starter in the defensive backfield and fill out the unit with capable depth.
Offseason workouts laid the foundation for competition but it will be in full force from late July to late August, with over a dozen practices and three preseason games to decide roster spots.
Here are five position battles to watch during training camp and preseason.
1. Backup quarterback
One could argue that the competition to decide the Dolphins’ No. 2 quarterback is the most important that will take place this summer. Starter Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history has been well documented — he missed five games last season because of a pair of stints in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa and the team are confident that that is behind him and they have taken steps to try to avoid future head injuries, such as Tagovailoa learning jiu-jitsu this offseason. But no one can predict injuries and Tagovailoa’s issues over the years haven’t been limited to concussions.
The Dolphins replaced Teddy Bridgewater with Mike White and though the 28-year-old has more experience than second-year player Skylar Thompson, it was Thompson who looked a bit more comfortable running the offense in offseason workouts. The team’s joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans, as well as the three preseason games, will be pivotal in helping decide who gets the nod.
2. No. 3 wide receiver
The Dolphins lost their No. 3 and No. 4 pass-catchers in terms of targets and receptions — Mike Gesicki and Trent Sherfield — in free agency. But Miami signed a pair of wide receivers who could step into large roles in 2023.
Robbie Chosen was a standout during organized team activities and adds even more speed to an offense that covets the trait. And Braxton Berrios is expected to be the team’s new return specialist while also competing for snaps on offense.
The Dolphins also have a group of returnees who could work their way into bigger roles this upcoming season. Cedrick Wilson Jr., who has been the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason, is just a year removed from being one of the league’s most productive slot receivers with the Dallas Cowboys. Mike McDaniel said that 2022 fourth-round pick Erik Ezuknama “probably made the biggest gains from last year to this year and ownership of the offense.” And River Cracraft has been a favorite of McDaniel’s dating to their time with the San Francisco 49ers.
Gesicki was a tight end by name but more of a big slot receiver by skill set and the Dolphins used the fifth-lowest rate of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) this past season. Miami’s offseason moves could result in a boost in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers), which was used on 44.5 percent of snaps but ranked 29th in the NFL.
This is one position that could see no clear-cut winner by the time training camp concludes. The Dolphins have a bevy of options with different skill sets and the offense could split snaps between multiple players during the regular season depending on the matchups in a given week.
3. Left guard/right tackle
It’s unclear whether there is an actual position battle at these two spots. McDaniel and his staff often speak about the benefits of adding talented players to foster healthy competition. But it’s evident that the team wants to make things work with Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson and is giving them every opportunity to do so. Neither played much in 2022 because of injuries; Eichenberg was limited to 10 games, while Jackson only played in two.
The Dolphins did sign a trio of veteran free agents: Dan Feeney, Isaiah Wynn and Cedric Ogbuehi, though Feeney appears to be the backup option at center. Wynn started most of his games with the New England Patriots at right tackle but also has experience playing left guard. And Ogbheui told reporters that he is most comfortable at right tackle.
General manager Chris Grier went as far as to say the “expectation” is that Jackson will be the team’s starting right tackle in 2023. But more so than in previous years, the Dolphins have veteran options in place to turn to if either Jackson or Eichenberg struggle in the summer.
4. Cornerback depth
The Dolphins enter training camp knowing that they have one of the league’s best cornerback duos in Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard. And Kader Kohou, who started 13 games as an undrafted rookie in 2022, is primed to have another big role as a nickel corner. Cornerback might be the team’s deepest position group, with several options behind the top-three contributors.
Cam Smith, the team’s top pick in the 2023 Draft, will start his career as a boundary corner and fared well during OTAs. Nik Needham is making his return from a torn Achilles injury from last October. He has been one of the team’s most versatile defenders over the last four years. Noah Igbinoghene, the No. 30 overall pick in the 2019 Draft, is entering a critical summer after the Dolphins did not pick up his fifth-year option. Miami would incur a $3 million dead money charge by releasing him, but it’s conceivable given the number of cornerbacks seemingly above him on the depth chart and his lack of special teams contributions.
Justin Bethel and Keion Crossen are mainly special teams stalwarts but were pressed into duties at corner last season after a rash of injuries. And Trill Williams did not participate in OTAs as he continued his rehab from a torn ACL injury last August but he was cleared toward the end of the offseason workout program.
Like the wide receiver position, the Dolphins could rotate players based on matchups. Both Ramsey and Kohou can play on the outside or in the slot, and Needham had also lined up in a bevy of spots.
5. Safety
There are high expectations for third-year player Jevon Holland, who is one of the emerging players at his position in the NFL. But he could have a new running mate in 2023.
Holland spent the majority of his rookie year in the defensive backfield with Brandon Jones and the two started the 2023 season together until Jones tore his ACL in October. Jones is working his way back from the injury but the Dolphins also signed DeShon Elliott, who has 35 career starts with the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions.
Jones is one of the best blitzing safeties in the league and Elliott has thrived closer to the line of scrimmage but he has more experience with the two-high safety looks that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes to use. It’s possible the two could see the field together in some three-safety packages with Holland.
Verone McKinley III and Elijah Campbell could also factor in. McKinley filled in well as a deep safety after Jones’ injury and Campbell is a fast defensive back that has mainly contributed on special teams.
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 12:17 PM.
