Miami Dolphins Unveil Depth Chart: Surprises, Promising Camp Breakouts, and Defensive Strategy Insights
Hey, let me break down the latest news about the Miami Dolphins’ depth chart for you. It’s been making some waves, especially because it shows some interesting choices and hints at how the team might line up when the regular season kicks off.
First off, the Dolphins just released their initial depth chart, and one thing that stands out is that their first-round draft pick, defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, is not starting—he’s listed on the second team. This might surprise some fans because Grant has been having a solid training camp, but keep in mind this is the very first official chart, so it doesn’t necessarily reflect what we’ll see on game day. It’s more like a starting point, and coaches often tweak things as they go.
On offense, Darren Waller is listed as the starting tight end, which is a bit surprising since he’s still on the physically-unable-to-perform list and hasn’t yet taken part in training camp practices. His backup is Julian Hill. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are listed as second- and third-team punt returners. That’s notable because the Dolphins haven’t really trusted those two guys with return duties in recent years, so it seems like there’s a shift in strategy there.
When it comes to the quarterbacks, Tua Tagovailoa is obviously the starter. Zach Wilson is the backup, and rookie Quinn Ewers is listed third. Among the breakout players in camp, inside linebacker Willie Gay Jr. has earned the backup spot behind Jordyn Brooks, who led the team in tackles last season. Alexander Mattison, another camp standout, is surprisingly the third-string running back behind Jaylen Wright.
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Now, on the defensive side, the depth chart shows some clarity but also reveals the hybrid nature of the Dolphins’ defensive scheme. Chop Robinson, last year’s first-round pick, is listed as a starting defensive end alongside Bradley Chubb. Jaelan Phillips is listed as an outside linebacker. This means the Dolphins plan to field three of their best pass rushers together on the field at times, which should boost pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
They have two starting defensive tackles in Zach Sieler and Benito Jones, and the linebackers include Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson inside. The secondary features Storm Duck and Kendall Sheffield as starting cornerbacks, with Mike Hilton as the nickel back. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick starts alongside Ashtyn Davis, who is currently recovering from a leg injury but has the starting nod over newcomer Iffy Melifonwu.
There are still some questions about the offensive line depth, which has been a concern. Larry Borom is listed as the backup left tackle, Liam Eichenberg is still on the physically-unable list at left guard, and Andrew Meyer is the backup center but dealing with an injury. The Dolphins seem to be looking for more stability here.
One interesting note is the Dolphins’ defensive scheme itself. It’s described as a hybrid, switching between 3-4 and 4-3 looks depending on the situation. Sometimes you’ll see three outside linebackers on the field at once, especially in passing situations where they want to bring extra pressure, supported by five defensive backs. In short-yardage plays, they may even shift to a 4-3 look.
Another thing fans are watching closely is whether the defensive line and blitz packages can create enough pressure to compensate for some weaknesses in the secondary. The Dolphins certainly seem to be emphasizing this, hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s early-season struggles with pass rush.
Lastly, on special teams, Malik Washington is listed as the starting punt and kickoff returner, which suggests a fresh approach in that phase of the game.
So, all in all, this depth chart shows a mix of expected starters and some surprises, especially among rookies and backups. It hints at a team still figuring out the best combinations but also highlights some promising players who have been shining in training camp. The Dolphins are gearing up to find the right balance as the preseason unfolds, with a few tough joint practices and games coming up against the Bears and Lions on the road.
It’s definitely an exciting time for Dolphins fans, and we’ll see how this depth chart evolves as the season opener on September 7th draws closer.
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