Kelly: Ten things to look for in Dolphins-Falcons preseason opener
The Miami Dolphins take the 2024 team for its first test drive during Friday’s preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, and even though few starters are expected to play this year’s Dolphins team will have plenty of opportunities to learn about themselves from these three preseason games.
Mike McDaniel hopes his offense can pick up where they left off, as one of the NFL’s most balanced, and explosive units, and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s leaning on his veterans - Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, Jordan Poyer - to create a bully mentality on defense.
Here’s a breakdown of 10 things fans should be looking for.
Who takes the lead in the battle to become quarterback No. 2?
Mike White and Skylar Thompson are competing to determine who serves as Tua Tagovailoa’s primary backup, and possibly to see which quarterback keeps his residency on Miami’s 53-man roster. White has a steadying hand, a presence that keeps things calm. But Thompson has a gunslinger feel to him, and that spices things up, and seems to be more in tune with what McDaniel is looking for. Pay attention to who starts, and who finishes each preseason game.
Young receivers need to step up
With Miami’s top four receivers unlikely to play on Friday, the first preseason game served as a casting call for all the young receivers auditioning to become the fifth or sixth receiver on the roster, and practice squad candidates. Braylon Sanders must use this opportunity to prove the investment Miami’s made in him the past two seasons has paid off. Anthony Schwartz is fighting for his NFL career. And Malik Washington, the Dolphins’ 2024 sixth round pick, will have plenty of opportunity to show he has an NFL game.
Can Patrick Paul lock down the left side?
Paul, the Dolphins’ 2024 second-round pick, has made steady progress during training camp, but he needs to use these preseason games to show he’s ready to serve as a starter if called on to replace Terron Armstead this season. Paul can do that by mowing down defenders in the run game, and neutralizing the Falcons pass rushers he lines up against. However, how much work will Miami give him against first-team defenders?
How motivated will Teair Tart be for a preseason game?
It seems as if Tart has a little bit of Jordan Phillips in him, which means he paces himself regularly, and has to be motivated to perform at his talent level. With Benito Jones likely nursing an injury, Tart and Brandon Pili might be forced to play 20-plus snaps each as Miami’s nose tackle. Tart, who has showcased a knack for beating one-on-one blocks, could be just the impact player this defense is missing. But Miami’s coaches need to figure out how to reach him to get 20 high level snaps out of the former Florida International standout.
Can Chop Robinson be a three down edge contributor?
Playing the edge spot isn’t just about hunting down quarterbacks. Those outside linebackers in these 3-4 schemes are also responsible for setting the edge on running downs, and dropping back into coverage when an exotic blitz is called. Robinson, the Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick, must master all aspects of his job or else he’ll become a third down only player. The main thing to evaluate Robinson on Friday is how he handles himself against the Falcons run.
Who wants a prominent safety role?
Jordan Poyer likely won’t participate in preseason games because he’s a 12-year veteran, who happens to be nursing a thumb injury. And Miami will likely restrict Jevon Holland’s participation because he’s a prominent player that plenty is expected from. That leaves Elijah Campbell, Marcus Maye, Nik Needham and rookie Patrick McMorris to anchor the back end of the secondary. One of these four will be on the chopping block in a month based on how they perform.
Clock is ticking on Channing Tindall
The Dolphins have a trio of inside linebackers in David Long, Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker whose workload has been limited because of injuries. That means Tindall, the Dolphins’ disappointing 2022 third-round pick, will have a chance to showcase himself for at least a half while being paired with Duke Riley, Ezekiel Vanderburgh and Curtis Bolton. Tindall needs to start making impact plays to extend his stay on Miami’s 53-man roster because teams don’t wait three seasons on a draftee to blossom.
What fringe tight end will impress Miami’s coaches?
Julian Hill and Tanner Conner have flashed plenty while handling starter snaps for Durham Smythe and Jonnu Smith, who are each on snap count restrictions during training camp. Jody Fortson Jr., a free agent signed from Kansas City, needs to step up his level of contribution to potentially compete with those two for one of the final tight end spots on the 53-man roster.
Who will be the front runner for the starting guard spots?
Robert Jones has filled in admirably as Miami’s starting left guard while Isaiah Wynn continues his recovery from the quadriceps injury that cut his 2023 season short, and Liam Eichenberg seems to be holding off Jack Driscoll for the starting right guard spot. Lester Cotton hasn’t pushed anyone to regain a starting role he held last season. At this point Miami’s probably hoping someone separates themselves from the pack during the preseason games.
Does Miami have a backup center on the roster?
Aaron Brewer suffering a hand injury in Wednesday’s practice reminds us how important Eichenberg’s role as the backup center is. That means it’s possible that he could be called on to play that position for a couple of games in an emergency situation unless undrafted rookie Andrew Meyer shows he a component center, or Sean Harlow, who was added this week, becomes comfortable in his new role.
