Kelly: Ten things Dolphins need to leave minicamp confident about | Opinion
Soon, the offseason program will be over and the Miami Dolphins players and coaches will begin six weeks of summer vacation.
That time is typically used to get themselves ready mentally and physically for the 2026 season, which begins when training camp starts in the final week of July.
Whether the 2026 Dolphins are ready for the season — a season where the franchise is clearly in the beginning stages of a massive roster rebuild — is up for debate.
But how this week goes could provide some clues and indicate areas where the roster needs work, and the coaching staff and scouting department need to dig deeper to find solutions.
Here’s a look at 10 things the Dolphins need to leave minicamp confident about, or else.
1. Malik Willis must develop chemistry with receivers
Willis, whom the Dolphins guaranteed $45 million to during the next two years, despite him having six games of starting experience at quarterback, is embarking on the NFL’s toughest challenge trying to cement himself as a starting quarterback and team leader on a new team. He hasn’t been impressive in the OTA practices the media has watched, but circumstances — like the fact he’s not able to scramble around, or the absence of running plays during this phase of work — factor into this adjustment process. But it would be nice to see Willis not only finding, but connecting with open receivers during these three days of practice. Someone in this inexperienced receiver unit needs to step up and become a reliable playmaker for Willis. Trust needs to be established.
2. Reliable backup offensive linemen must emerge
Austin Jackson being sidelined by the foot injury he re-aggravated last season while soldiering through the injury is a prime example of why quality backup offensive linemen are needed. There hasn’t been a season the past two decades where the Dolphins haven’t needed to use eight, if not nine offensive linemen to start a handful of games. Miami needs to figure out if Andrew Meyer, the backup center, DJ Campbell, the rookie offensive guard drafted in the sixth round, Kion Smith, a journeyman entering his fourth season in Miami, and Jamaree Salyer, a free agent addition who has started 40 NFL games, are good enough to hold the unit down? And if not, what’s the solution?
3. Dolphins need four defensive ends to step forward
Chop Robinson and Josh Uche each has a reputation for hunting quarterbacks, giving them a leg up on the competition when it comes to pass-rushing roles. But Miami needs two edge players to raise their hands as edge-setting specialists to address all of the position’s responsibilities. Max Llewellyn will be given every opportunity to earn the job because he was a 2026 draft pick, but he will need to outperform David Ojabo, Robert Beal Jr., Cameron Goode and Seth Coleman to earn one of the two edge-setting roles. However, without pads, which don’t get put on until the second week of training camp, Miami won’t know where this group truly stands when it comes to stopping the run. Good general managers have their team prepared for the worst-case scenario.
4. Defensive tackles must be experimented with as edge-setters
Unless the Dolphins plan to add a free agent like A.J. Epenesa or Jadeveon Clowney before training camp starts, or during it, the defense might be forced to use a defensive tackle as an end, or utilize an uneven defensive front 3-4, or 5-2 — on early downs. Zach Sieler has experience playing that role, and could easily get back to doing it. But the Dolphins would benefit from experimenting with Zeek Biggers, who has redefined his body, slimming down, and Jordan Phillips, a workout warrior whose 6-foot-3, 305 pound frame is chiseled, working as five-technique defensive lineman. Neither has been asked to play that role before, so getting an early start on it during minicamp would be beneficial.
5. Tight ends need to continue showcasing solid growth
Greg Dulcich, who thrived late last season and was re-signed to a one-year deal worth $3.25 million by Miami’s new regime, has been one of the top performers in OTAs. He’s seemingly developing chemistry with Willis, and it is showing. But can Dulcich get the in-line work aspect of his job done, being a reliable run blocker and pass protector? Miami drafted Will Kacmarek in the third round with the intent of giving him the in-line duties, and the Ohio State product has exhibited decent hands. Miami needs both, and fellow draft pick Seydou Traore, to take massive steps forward in their development the next three months to eliminate this unit from being an area of concern.
6. Malik Washington must evolve as a receiver
Washington, who has been praised in the past for his ability to learn and execute the offense, seems to be grasping Miami’s playbook faster than the rest of his fellow receivers. That explains why he has become one of Willis’ favorite targets in the practices the media has watched. But to get the most out of Washington, who averaged 6.9 yards per reception (46) last season, he needs to step out of the slot receiver role. Washington must show he can make plays as a split end or a flanker, which would allow the third-year receiver to be on the field more consistently.
7. Starting safeties must raise their hands
Dante Trader Jr. is seemingly in the driver’s seat for the free safety role because of the experience he gained last season, the improvements he has made to his body and his intellect. The Dolphins must identify another safety — Zayne Anderson, a special teams contributor who has history with Hafley from Green Bay, Lonnie Johnson Jr., a former second-round pick, Omar Brown, and rookies Michael Taffe and Louis Moore — whose skill sets will pair well with Trader, allowing the two to serve as the safety valve of the secondary.
8. Nickel options must begin to carve out their roles
Miami intends for 2026 first-round pick Chris Johnson to handle the nickel role in situations where three receivers are on the field, and will seemingly experiment with rookie linebacker Kyle Louis as the “big nickel.” It would also be beneficial for the Dolphins to find a veteran or two — maybe Ethan Robinson, A.J. Green, Alex Austin, Darrell Baker Jr., Marco Wilson — who can also handle working in the nickel spot, defending slot receivers and seam threat tight ends. Trust that important position to two rookies is a huge gamble.
9. Rookies must prove they are comfortable in specialized roles
The initial plan is for all of Miami’s 2026 draft picks to be given a specific role so they can prove whether they can handle it. That’s how the Dolphins plan to infuse Kadyn Proctor (at left guard), Johnson (base nickel cornerback), Louis, Campbell (big nickel), Kacmarek (in-line tight end), Caleb Douglas (boundary receiver) and Kevin Coleman Jr. (slot receiver), Llewellyn (edge-setter), Trey Moore (blitz specialist) and Taaffe (backup free safety) before putting more on their plate. The hope is to not overwhelm the draft class initially, allowing them to thrive with a manageable workload before giving each more.
10. Which kicker takes the lead in the position battle
Riley Patterson thrived in his first season with the Dolphins, setting a new franchise single-season record by converting 27 of 29 field goals for a 93.1% field-goal percentage. But that didn’t stop Miami from giving Patterson, who was re-signed for the NFL minimum, competition this offseason, signing Zane Gonzalez, a nine-year veteran, who has bounced around the NFL since 2017, making 115 of 142 field-goal attempts. Kicker battles are usually settled by the third week of training camp, so each situational kick in minicamp will be tracked, and has ramifications.
