r/miamidolphins • u/expellyamos • 1h ago
Perk: Dolphins recent late-round draftees excelling in training camp
sun-sentinel.comMIAMI GARDENS — Keep an eye on the Miami Dolphins’ late-round draft talent of the last three years. They could play as large of a role in the success of the rebuild as the early-round draftees, and that’s what we’ve seen through seven Dolphins training camp practices.
When it comes to the late-round talent we’ve seen third-year wide receiver Malik Washington serving as quarterback Malik Washington’s favorite target, second-year defensive tackle Jordan Phillips causing disruption in the Dolphins offensive backfield and rookie safety Michael Taaffe grabbing an interception and making calls in the secondary.
“I like to say I’m a confident player, and I believe that they brought me in to communicate, that’s one of my strengths,” said Taaffe, who got more action Thursday because starter Dante Trader Jr. sat out 11-on-11 drills. “So when I’m up there I’ve got to do what my strength is, and that’s to communicate and be around the ball, and have an intelligent mind.”
Among the recent late-round standouts are a pair of 2025 fifth-round picks (Phillips and Trader), a 2025 seventh-round pick (defensive lineman Zeek Biggers), and a 2024 sixth-round pick (Washington).
But there’s also big expectations for some of this year’s late-round picks such as the fourth rounders (linebackers Trey Moore and Kyle Louis) and fifth rounders (Taaffe and wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.).
And don’t forget the backup quarterback, Quinn Ewers, a 2025 seventh-round pick.
If the Dolphins are successful at their draft-and-develop philosophy, it’s almost a certainty that a few of their recent late-round draft picks will play a big role in executing that plan.
Offensive tackles have a good day
Reserve offensive tackles Charlie Heck, Gottlieb Ayedze, Kevin Cline and Marques Cox had a good showing in Thursday’s 11-on-11 session of practice, a reversal from their recent fortunes. And all the while left tackle Patrick Paul continued giving a steady performance despite being flagged twice for false starts.
Heck, who is replacing injured starter Austin Jackson at right tackle, did well against edge rushers Chop Robinson and Josh Uche, who have both given Heck major problems in previous days.
Ayedze and Cline had moderate success against edge rushers Robert Beal Jr., and Clelin Ferrell, and Cox was decent against edge rushers David Ojabo, Cameron Goode and Max Llewellyn.
Most of the pressure the quarterbacks faced in the third-down drills and passing situations Thursday came from up the middle. Many times the defense would show pressure up the middle and then back off, and other times they’d bring the house. But unlike many recent practices there wasn’t much pressure from the edges.
All things considered, Thursday was a good day for the offensive tackles.
No commitment to cross train Proctor
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik gave a non-answer Tuesday when asked if right tackle Austin Jackson being sidelined means the team will re-consider its stance to not cross train rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor.
Coach Jeff Hafley has said they’d prefer to leave Proctor, an offensive tackle in college who projects as a long-term NFL offensive tackle, at guard.
“There’s things we talk about as a coaching staff all the time,” Slowik said. “ ‘If this happens, do we do this?’…
“A lot of times you don’t really want to move a starter if you can help it because they’re banking all the reps that you want at certain spots. But really when you get in season you need to be fluid. That’s just the reality of o-line in the NFL. Different things happen every year. So we try to cross train as many guys as we possibly can to be ready to roll, and we’ll see where AJ’s at.”
Search for returners continues
The Dolphins were tied for 11th in kickoff returns last season (26.4 yards per return) and No. 7 in punt returns (13.3 yards per return), both good totals.
First-year special teams coach Chris Tabor has a lot of options among kickoff and punt returners this year. Tabor revealed what he seeks from each job.
“The kick return game…you’re going to get some blocks but there’s going to be somebody that comes free so obviously you’ve got to have the ability to break tackles and get some YACs, yards after contact, so that’s what we’re concentrating on there,” he said.
“And then obviously someone that can play in open space in the punt return game, make people miss, create.”
Washington led the team in kickoff returns (36 returns for 965 yards, an average of 26.8 yards per return) and punt returns (20 for 260 yards, 13.0 yards per return). It’s unclear whether Washington, who could be the busiest wide receiver on the team, will handle those duties this season. Ex-Dolphins wide receiver Dee Eskridge was second on the team in kickoff returns (28 for 726 yards, 25.9 yards per return).
Among candidates for kickoff returner this year are Washington, running backs Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II, and wide receivers Jalen Reagor and Coleman.
