It’s important to give the people what they want, and to my surprise the Miami Dolphins did exactly that right out the gate during the first day of training camp. Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, Miami's two elite cornerbacks, didn’t have their reps limited on day one. Both Pro Bowl performers were full participants, and typically lined up against the offense's marquee players, covering Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. When asked his level of interest in seeing Howard-Ramsey versus Hill-Waddle, coach Mike McDaniel said “have you seen their collective paychecks?” Well, the battle didn’t disappoint on day one. Howard had one major breakup on a pass to Hill, who seemed a bit off his game in my humble opinion. That’s the first observation I made from day one of Dolphins training camp, and here’s the rest of my list. 2. Dolphins need inside linebacker help Watching five inside linebacker line up to do position drills is a daily reminder that Miami’s one inside linebacker short because Zeke Vanderburgh being placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury last week. Five inside linebackers means the Dolphins don’t have enough to run three defensive units, and that someone will be taking extra snaps unless Andrew Van Ginkel is moved inside full time. David Long Jr. and Channing Tindall finally got in the action at linebacker today, after missing most of the offseason program nursing injuries. That was encouraging. But the way Miami was running the ball effectively on day one raised my level of concern. While this might not seem like an issue now, it will become one when someone gets injured, and it could lead to early wear and tear. That’s why I’d be shocked if General Manager Chris Grier isn’t shopping for an inside linebacker as you read this. Fortunately for Miami, there's a couple of top notch linebackers still available in free agency. 3. Terron Armstead and Isaiah Wynn’s undergo grueling rehab Armstead and Wynn began camp on injured reserve. Armstead had his right knee scoped according to McDaniel, which means he’ll probably spend the first couple weeks of training camp on a rehabilitation assignment. The way the trainers were working Armstead and Wynn, whose injury hasn’t been disclosed, they'd probably rather be practicing than grinding on the side. It was an aggressive workout, one meant to get the fat boys in football shape. I’m keeping a close eye on which offensive tackles raise their hand, attempting to inherit the work Armstead is missing, and Kendall Lamm delivered a jaw dropping performance on day one. Lamm has started 29 games in his eight year career, which means he’s not a newbie, and this might be his last opportunity to get off the journeyman train. 4. Skylar Thompson shouldn’t be overlooked I’ve hinted at this all offseason, but it seems as if we officially have a battle brewing for the No. 2 quarterback role. These quarterbacks are rotating, and playing with different units, which means they have different O-lines, and different weaponry during various team periods. But it seems as if Thompson has a legitimate chance of holding off Mike White as Miami’s No. 2 quarterback. Expect this battle to clarify itself in the exhibition season when Thompson and White handle the majority of snaps during Miami’s three preseason games. For those coming to practice, I encourage you to pay close attention when Tagovailoa's reps are done. 5. Connor Williams’ return beefs up O-line I began this offseason saying the Dolphins should have extended Williams, and still stand on that opinion because his performance last season made me conclude he should be the player this O-line is built around. Obviously, plenty of that comes down to his asking price, but seeing Williams move people during the first practice reminds me of his upside. Can you imagine if this 26-year-old takes another step forward as a center? The top six centers in the NFL all clear $10.5 million in take home salary this upcoming season, and that’s likely the salary stratosphere Williams wants to enter. If I’m the Dolphins I’m putting an offer that features $22 million in guaranteed money on the table, and seeing if we can get a deal done. Miami’s invested of time and money in Williams shouldn’t be cut short. Keep in mind that Williams, Robert Hunt, Austin Jackson, Isaiah Wynn, Robert Jones and Dan Feeney are all going to be unrestricted free agents after this season. Also, it would be a stretch to call Armstead a foundational piece considering how often he's injured, and the fact he just turned 32. So exactly who is this offensive line being build around?
Campaigns for four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook continue in South Florida, but don’t sleep on what the Miami Dolphins already have on the roster. Ninth-year tailback Raheem Mostert snapped a two-practice orange jersey streak for the defense with a strong performance in Sunday’s practice. The former San Francisco 49ers running back hit the field on Monday sporting the orange jersey — his playlist played on the speakers while the team practiced in front of crowded bleachers. Fellow running back Salvon Ahmed wore the orange jersey during OTAs. Fullback Alec Ingold earned it twice this offseason. Many want Cook in South Florida, but Mostert’s orange-jersey effort joins others suggesting Miami has enough firepower in the backfield. Both Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season. Mostert looks to maintain his role as the team’s primary back after setting career highs in starts (14), attempts (181), yards (891), and receptions (31) while also finishing the 2022 season ranked No. 10 with 16 broken tackles. Miami also drafted De’Von Achane in the third round of April’s draft. The addition of Cook could supercharge Miami’s offense — but there’s a case for using that money elsewhere while leaning on in-house options at running back.
Both the temperature and the intensity ramped up big-time on Monday, as the Dolphins worked in pads during perhaps the hottest practice yet this year. It was no coincidence that David Long Jr. had his best practice of camp. Long was all over the field — and more specifically, the backfield — blowing up running plays and making tackles for loss. Plus, the Summer of Chubb continues, as Bradley Chubb made a series of splash plays. The early view here is that Chubb is set for a big year, reunited with Vic Fangio. Other highlights by a defensive front that tight end Durham Smythe on Monday called “the most talented front seven in the NFL, best front seven I’ve seen here.” When defensive tackle Brandon Pili chucked Raheem Mostert to the ground on a good run stop. When EDGE defender Emmanuel Ogbah’s pressure impacted a Mike White throw that fell incomplete. When Christian Wilkins blew up a screen play that went nowhere. (Wilkins later had a TFL on a run play and a sack of Tua Tagovailoa late in practice.) When Zach Sieler physically displaced Dan Feeney to sack Skylar Thompson. Quarterback Recap Here’s a look at how Tagovailoa, White, and Thompson fared in the Dolphins’ most physical practice in months. Tagovailoa did a solid job handling an unrelenting pass rush, unofficially completing 8 of 11 attempts for 84 yards. Those figures would have been even better if not for a missed opportunity by Tyreek Hill on the left sideline. Thompson wasn’t his sharpest Monday, misfiring on 5 of 12 passing attempts, including a bad throw that Erik Ezukanma made worse by not failing to fight for the ball. As a result, Justin Bethel picked off the pass. Thompson was victimized by a bad drop, however. He had Jaylen Waddle for a deep ball, but the ball went through the receiver’s hands. White took a step back Monday after an excellent Sunday practice. He completed 2 of 7 attempts for just 23 in team work. One of those five incompletions came on a marvelous PBU by Cam Smith.
