Observations from Day 1 of Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp
Without pads NFL offseason programs become pass happy, replicating throwing sessions that mimic the high school 7-on-7 summer circuit.
That’s why it’s hard to assess a team from the trench play standpoint, especially without players wearing pads, which don’t come on until the second week of training camp, and with the run games being sparingly utilized.
Still, there are plenty of opportunities to assess how a team’s units are doing, and that’s the focus we will take during the Miami Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp, which comes a week before Miami wraps up the offseason program with the final week of OTAs.
During Tuesday’s practice, which was the first of three on-field sessions this week, the Dolphins opened up the play-action game during the first 11-on-11 period by sprinkling in some running plays.
Jaylen Wright got stuffed on the first run of minicamp in the backfield. On the very next play Ollie Gordon II gained 5 yards on his first carry, clearly driving the line forward on a run behind center Aaron Brewer, who returned to practice after missing last week because of a family commitment.
Those two running plays opened up the play-action fake for quarterback Malik Willis, who is often praised for his mobility, and on his first throw Willis found Jalen Tolbert 20 yards downfield for a completion. It was probably the best throw from Willis the media has seen in three weeks.
But it wasn’t all offensive highlights during those 11-on-11 periods.
Chop Robinson set the edge on a carry by Wright that went for no gain.
And Patrick Paul gave up a sack to Josh Uche during the final 11-on-11 period and shoving ensued.
Two offensive starters returned
De’Von Achane participated in practice for the first time this offseason, returning to the field after undergoing a procedure to repair a shoulder injury that has kept him on the sideline rehabbing.
So did Austin Jackson, the team’s projected starting right tackle, who is returning from a foot injury that plagued him all of last season. Both Achane and Jackson did individual drills and then shut down their work....
Defensive lineman Zach Sieler was doing a rehab assignment and sat out Tuesday’s practice.
So did tight end Cole Turner, receiver Chris Bell, edge rusher Cameron Goode and receiver Tahj Washington, who were all rehabbing lingering injuries.
During Miami’s two periods of special teams work Malik Washington fumbled his first kickoff return, but most of the other punt returners and kickoff returned fielded their attempts well.
During the first 7-on-7 period JuJu Brents pulled down an interception on Willis’ first throw, and tight end Greg Dulcich dropped a pass on a flat route.
Terrane Marshall Jr. had a nice 15-yard reception from Quinn Ewers, who continued to throw bold passes during the practice session the media watched....
Ronnie Harrison Jr., a safety being converted to inside linebacker, put a shoulder into Donovan Edwards at the end of a run.
And rookie cornerback Chris Johnson, the Dolphins’ 2026 first-round pick, broke up one of Willis’ passes to Tolbert.
Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had a blitz pressure on Willis that forced a bad throw. Gordon was the tailback who missed the block.
Rookie tight end Seydou Traore had a nice 15-yard gain in the middle of a zone play from the defense.
Cam Miller, who is competing for the No. 3 quarterback job, delivered a bullet pass to A.J. Henning during his limited 11-on-11 reps.
