The Miami Dolphins are likely resting most of the offensive and defensive starters on Saturday, possibly so they can have the team’s dry run for the regular season in next week’s home preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That means we’ll likely see plenty of backups on the field in Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against the Detroit Lions.
Here’s what we should be watching for in the second preseason game..
Does Zach Wilson clean up his game?
Wilson’s role in Miami’s offense is critical because of Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history, so the Dolphins can’t afford for him to look as inconsistent as he was in last week’s 23-23 tie game against the Chicago Bears. Wilson has a cannon for an arm, but when his feet aren’t set he’ll spray the ball all over the field with inaccurate passes. Miami’s coaches need to help him tighten up the fundamentals, which will keep the 2021 second-overall pick from missing wide open receivers like he did last week.
Will Quinn Ewers rebound from his rough debut?
Ewers, the former Texas standout the Dolphins selected in the 2025 seventh-round, completed 5-of-18 passes for 91 yards and delivered two turnovers on fumbles on the two sacks he took in Miami’s 23-23 tie with Chicago. The rookie’s play needs to stabilize so he can showcase the ability he was teasing before the joint practices began last week.
Is Jaylen Wright locking down the No. 2 tailback role?
Wright, whom the Dolphins traded into the fourth-round of the 2024 to select, has gotten off to a slow start this camp. He hasn’t showcased the game changing speed that made him a big player producer at the University of Tennessee. With De’Von Achane likely held out of Saturday’s game Wright will have an opportunity to showcase the growth he’s supposedly made to his game this offseason.
Can the Dolphins convert in short yardage situations?
Miami’s first offensive drive of the Bears game was spoiled because of the team’s inability to punch the ball into the end zone on four goal line runs. Not helping matters is the fact Miami lost Alexander Mattison, the second best back in training camp, to a season-ending neck injury last week. Miami needs to see tougher runs from Wright, and Ollie Gordon II needs to speed up his development as a rookie.
What’s salvageable with these backup offensive linemen?
Miami’s offensive line has been watered down by six injuries during training camp, and it has resulted in protection issues for the second and third-team offensive line. At this point it’s a struggle to identify who is worthy of keeping as backup offensive linemen on this team, especially if backup center Andrew Meyer and Liam Eichenberg, who has started 52 games at every position on the offensive line, begin the season on injured reserve because of the injuries they are nursing. The Dolphins need one offensive linemen to raise their hand with their on-field performance.
Which receivers will extend their stay in South Florida?
Malik Washington, Tahj Washington and Dee Eskridge all made factor plays against the Bears in last Sunday’s game. With Tyreek Hill sidelined by an oblique injury they’ve all been given the opportunity to develop chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa. Have they shown enough to carve out a contributing role in the regular season, subsequently earning a spot on the 53-man roster? The Dolphins also need to find two receivers for the practice squad.
Will Miami’s trio of rookie defensive tackles continue to blossom?
Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers all delivered impressive performances against the Bears. Now that they have a better grasp of the speed of the NFL game, how much will each of Miami’s 2025 defensive line draftees blossom in their second dress rehearsal? Each rookie defensive lineman will likely play at least 20 snaps because it will help their development.
Can Wilie Gay Jr. handle the green dot role on defense?
Gay, who has 55 games of starting experience, will likely get an opportunity to serve as the green dot player if Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dotson are sidelined. That means he’s wearing the headset that allows defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver to communicate with the on-field players. Gay has proven he’s a playmaker, and coverage specialist during training camp. But can he established himself as a run stuff, and leader of the defense?
Which cornerbacks will earn their spot on the 53-man roster?
Storm Duck is the only Dolphins cornerback who safely makes it onto the 53-man roster. Everyone else, and that includes nickel cornerback Mike Hilton, is on shaky footing because of their camp performance, inexperience of the unit, and what might become available on the waiver wire and in free agency. A strong showing in the final two games will likely dictate who earns the final four or five cornerback spots.
Which special teams contributors will shine?
There’s still an ongoing punter battle between Ryan Stonehouse and Jake Bailey, and Stonehouse should be viewed as the leader right now because he’s at least $275,000 cheaper. The Dolphins also need to find about five core special teams players, so the third phase of the team could dictate the future for players like Cameron Goode, Derrick McLendon, Cornell Armstrong and Tanner Conner.