Dolphins coaches dish on expanded role for rookie third-day picks, personnel news
News and notes from the Dolphins’ media session with five assistant coaches on Thursday:
▪ The Dolphins already are relying on some promising third-day rookie draft picks, and that reliance might be expanding.
If Benito Jones cannot play because of an oblique injury (and he didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday), that likely would mean more snaps for rookie fifth-rounder Jordan Phillips and potentially seventh-rounder Zeek Biggers, who was inactive for the opener.
“We would roll out there with three rookies” if Jones cannot play, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Thursday of Phillips, Biggers and first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.
With Jones limited to 20 snaps because of his injury, Phillips played 33 snaps on defense in the 33-8 loss to the Colts, and Pro Football Focus said he was the fifth-best Dolphins’ defender on Sunday.
“Jordan Phillips had a darn good game,” Weaver said. “He continues to be stout in the run game. That’s why he’s here. He will become an effective pass rusher because of his ability to compress the pocket.”
Biggers likely would be active if Jones cannot play; Weaver called him next man up.
“Zeek was growing throughout camp,” Weaver said. “He had some ups and downs, ups particularly in the joint practices. He did well vs. Chicago and Detroit. And then he had something going on with his shoulder and that set him back. I love the potential because you can’t teach his size and length [6-6, 319 pounds].
“As soon as he refines his technique, and he’s vastly improved, he can be an impact player for us.”
Phillips wasn’t the only third-day rookie draft pick who logged major snaps Sunday. Fifth-round cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. played 34 snaps after beating out Mike Hilton and Cornell Armstrong for the team’s top nickel corner role.
Fifth-round safety Dante Trader Jr. played 22 snaps on defense against the Colts – more than veterans Ashtyn Davis (11 snaps) and Elijah Campbell (none).
Asked why Trader was used as the No. 3 safety, Weaver said he “had a good week of practice. We were nervous exposing him too much. But he’s earned that right. He has elite instincts, very good quicks and takes direct angles to the ball.”
Meanwhile, sixth-round rookie running back Ollie Gordon II also is expected to have a significant role the next two weeks.
He had just two carries and 12 offensive snaps against Indianapolis – partly because the score was lopsided — and running backs coach Eric Studesville said “he’s earned that opportunity” to get more work. “When we put him in the game, he will be ready to go.”
▪ Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. — who had an excellent training camp and preseason — didn’t play a single defensive snap against the Colts and Weaver said Thursday that “I’ve got to find a way to get Willie on the field. I told him that the next day. He has earned the right to get on the field. He’s impactful.”
Gay is Jordyn Brooks’ backup, and Brooks played every snap on defense. Gay is handling the situation well.
▪ Weaver said cornerback Storm Duck, who is now sidelined with an ankle injury, was not at fault on Colts receiver Michael Pittman’s touchdown reception on Sunday.
As part of the Tampa 2 defense on that play, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu didn’t read the two verticals on his side and was out of position.
Generally, the Dolphins allowed too much cushion to Colts receivers.
Miami’s defensive schemes are “based primarily on what you’re getting from the offense,” Weaver said. “You are not going to be tight if you don’t have the vision on the quarterback. When we were in those coverages, we didn’t do a good job on having vision on the quarterback. Some of those things thrown underneath we should be tighter or breaking it up.”
▪ Linebacker Bradley Chubb mentioned Dolphins players freelancing on defense Sunday, but Weaver said: “I didn’t feel guys going outside of plays to make plays.”
Weaver said there were different mistakes: “One guy somehow, someway who didn’t get the call.”
▪ Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith disputed Colts cornerback Xavien Howard’s comment that Tua Tagovailoa panics if his first read is not there. Smith said that is simply not true historically.
Regarding Tagovailoa’s three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble), Smith said: “Ultimately we need to make sure we are protecting the football better.”
▪ Was receiver Tyreek Hill lined up incorrectly on a few plays, as ESPN alleged? Smith responded by saying “it’s not one guy” but there was some communication stuff. It was loud on third down.”
▪ Smith said rookie left guard Jonah Savaiinaea’s first NFL start included “some really good things in run pass and pass protection. Things carrying over from training camp, physicality.”
Smith believes he will be better in Sunday’s home opener against New England (1 p.m., CBS 4) because “at home, it allows you to play in different environment than the stress of the noise.”
▪ Special teams coach Craig Aukerman said the Dolphins will ask the league for clarification on Matthew Judon’s running-into-the-punter penalty, the only time that Indianapolis lined up to punt all day.
“He didn’t make contact with [the punter Rigoberto Sanchez],” Aukerman said. “The punter ended up landing on his plant foot.”
That 5-yard penalty gave Indianapolis a first down and helped the Colts become the first team since 1978 to score on every possession in a game.
Though the 33-year-old Judon has played 634 special teams snaps in his career, only nine of those snaps have come in the past three seasons.
“What’s great about Matthew is he wants to play on special teams,” Aukerman said. “We have veterans who want to play on special teams. Minkah had a great tackle on a kickoff. Zach Sieler is on some special teams package for us too.”
News note
Running back Jaylen Wright was a limited practice participant for the first time since a knee procedure. His right leg is wrapped.
Besides Jones and Duck, three others sat out practice: right tackle Austin Jackson (toe), tight end Darren Waller (hip) and cornerback Ethan Bonner (hamstring).
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 12:45 PM.
