The Miami Dolphins start the work week off with their second day of training camp this week and sixth day overall. The intensity picked up today on both sides of the ball, as it was the first day in full pads. But who were the biggest standouts, and what were some of the major takeaways as the Dolphins practiced in the Monday Miami heat?
Miami Dolphins’ Training Camp: First Day in Full Pads
Defense Reigns
After the past couple of practices where the offense was more successful, the defensive side of the ball for the Miami Dolphins bounced back strongly with some good play. During the team scrimmage part of practice, there were multiple turnovers forced by the defense, as well as them taking advantage of offensive miscues. There were two forced fumbles caused by the secondary today, with undrafted rookie Louis Moore and last season’s 3rd-round pick Jason Marshall Jr. both successfully peanut punching the football out. Marshall also showed great coverage ability in the one-on-one drills.
That wasn’t the last of the Miami Dolphins’ turnovers, as there was also a trio of interceptions today. Omar Brown secured one off 3rd-string quarterback Cam Miller, and Ethan Bonner made an impressive acrobatic catch after a Quinn Ewers pass just missed the mark and was awkwardly tipped up into the air. Finally, Tyrel Dotson was able to secure a pick-six after a rushed throw caused by an uncontested Zayne Anderson rush. The ball was tipped up by the receiver, and Dotson made the heads-up play to snag it and take it all the way back for a touchdown.
Impressive Edge Rushing
Outside of the turnovers, the Miami Dolphins’ defense was also able to apply some solid pressure during Monday’s practice. The edge rusher position group has been considered one of the weaker of the Miami Dolphins and one to watch as training camp moves forward. On Monday, there was certainly plenty of good for the group. For one, both of the projected starters in Chop Robinson and Josh Uche have noticeably added bulk to their smaller frames, which helped them today in countering the physicality of Miami’s tackles. Both of them have still maintained their good bend and speed, however. They combined for a sack late into practice.
Outside of the top two edge rushers, the depth of the group also showed solid flashes. Like their first-team counterparts, 7th-round rookie Max Llewellyn and free agent signing David Ojabo had a combined sack late in practice. Cameron Goode also ended a drive with a sack. Former San Francisco 49ers practice squad member Robert Beal Jr. also showed out, recording a couple of pressures during the 2nd- and 3rd-team sections.
However, the biggest surprise to me was the work of former Las Vegas Raider bust Clelin Ferrell. A very recent addition to the team, Ferrell was brought in as a depth piece for a pretty meager defensive end unit, and he looked solid on Monday, rotating in and out and disrupting run plays. Ferrell’s 6’4, 265-lb frame projects him well as a rotational edge rusher on run-only downs, especially given that both starting edge rushers still need to develop their run-stopping game.
Aug 2, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins edge David Ojabo (50) works during practice at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Offensive Silver Linings
While the defense “won” the day, that’s not to say that the Miami Dolphins offense didn’t also have some positive moments. Given this team’s need for a consistent play caller, the play of Malik Willis is one of the top stories to watch during camp. On Monday, Willis looked solid. In the one-on-one drills with receivers and corners, Willis made a lot of nice throws that drew out some oohs and ahhs from the crowd in attendance. He also showed a good proficiency in the quick game in the middle of the field during scrimmage. His deep throws outside the hashes are still a work in progress, but Willis certainly looks like a solid quarterback for the Fins.
Two of Malik Willis’s favorite targets so far in Ben Sims and Malik Washington looked great. Sims has turned into a reliable target for Willis in the short game, and the MW2 connection between Malik Willis and Washington looked great in the one-on-one drill.
The run game also had some flashes. De’Von Achane, fresh after stating his goal is a rushing title, produced well on the ground and in the quick receiving game. However, the highlight plays came from Ollie Gordon and training camp signing Carlos Washington Jr., both of whom were able to break through the defense for big gains.
Both the pass and run game were helped out nicely by an overall good showing by most of the first-team offensive line group. 2nd-year Jonah Savaiinaea looks much more comfortable on the right side of the ball as opposed to his overall struggles on the left side last season. Patrick Paul and Aaron Brewer both looked to continue their upward trajectory, which is a positive sign. Unfortunately, the right tackle situation is worrisome with Austin Jackson not finishing practice and Jamaree Salyer not suiting up so far in camp.
Miami Dolphins Rookie Roundup
Finally, many of the highlights of the day came from the Miami Dolphins’ rookies. Today was Kadyn Proctor’s first day in full pads, and he certainly looked the part. While not as hulking as he was on tape at Alabama, Proctor’s slightly slimmer frame is still certainly strong enough to hold an anchor, while also allowing him to have a faster foot speed, one of the biggest concerns about his coming out of college. He was also able to keep himself low to win reps against the defensive line group. Fellow 1st-rounder Chris Johnson got first-team reps in the secondary and disrupted a run play with a savvy blitz.
It was a relatively quiet day for the former Red Raiders Jacob Rodriguez and Caleb Douglas. Both rookies have been camp standouts so far, so one day of not making splash plays won’t hurt them. Both saw most of their reps with the 1st team groups, so the linebacker and receiver both look like they will produce early and often for the Miami Dolphins. Rodriguez’s fumble-forcing ways have continued into training camp, and the worry of Douglas’s contested catch ability as a taller wideout has been mitigated by his play so far.
Fellow rookie receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. has also shown out so far, including a couple of receptions today during the scrimmage. Both rookie pass catchers certainly have an inside track to getting crucial playing time for a very new Miami Dolphins receiving group, and their play so far has helped with that. Speaking of pass catchers, both rookie tight ends Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore saw several receptions thanks to the Willis, Ewers, and Miller short passes. The highlights for them came from Kacmarek bulldozing Josh Uche on a run play and Traore making a great one-handed grab on the sideline. And finally, as previously mentioned, Max Llywellyn has half a sack and some good work in individual drills.
On to Tomorrow
Day one of padded practice is in the books, and with how the team looked on Monday, it seems like head coach Jeff Hafley and the entire Miami Dolphins staff have the roster bought in and ready to fight on every practice rep. With preseason around the corner, the Miami Dolphins will get to see how ready they are in just a few weeks.