Football returns to Hard Rock Stadium Friday night when the Miami Dolphins host the Atlanta Falcons in both teams’ preseason opener.
If you’ve got a ticket and hope to see a bunch of Dolphins starters, we’ve got some bad news: It probably won’t happen.
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Jalen Ramsey, and the rest of the team’s biggest names are expected to get the night off.
But as we discuss in our latest PFN Miami Dolphins Podcast, that doesn’t mean Friday night is unimportant. Far from it — particularly for the players outside of the Dolphins’ Top 20.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins Preview
Big-Time Offensive Line Issues
The Dolphins had some significant concerns about their interior offensive line even before starting center Aaron Brewer got hurt Wednesday.
If Brewer is forced to miss time, there will be question marks at all three interior offensive line positions. Liam Eichenberg, Rob Jones, Lester Cotton, and Jack Driscoll could all use strong performances against the Falcons.
“Guys are pushing, and that competition is what’s making our practice as high intensity as it has been,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “It’s because guys are competing for everything and everything on this team with the quality of roster has to be earned.”
Can Malik Washington Lock Down a Roster Spot?
The Dolphins will be without their top three receivers, and probably their top five. But Malik Washington will absolutely play and could go a long way toward securing his place on Miami’s 53-man roster with a strong showing.
He was the star of Wednesday’s joint practice with the Falcons and has a good chance to start Friday.
“One of the more difficult things in the National Football League is that of a rookie NFL wide receiver,” McDaniel said. “The game is very different in terms of timings, particularly with us, and the details with which you do your jobs. I mean, huddling and all the motioning. What Malik has done really well is find how to be a professional very quickly.
“So he’s operating as a pro in terms of how he’s studying, his ownership of the playbook, and how reliable he is with assignments for his teammates. And then there’s learning tools, each and every practice. What I’m really happy about with Malik is that he is getting better with those mistakes, and I’m expecting mistakes, but he improves mistakes, which is the key for rookies.”
How About the Other Dolphins Rookies?
Barring injury, outside linebacker Chop Robinson and offensive tackle Patrick Paul know they will be on the Dolphins’ opening-day roster. But how much will they play?
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It might depend on how they comport themselves the next three weekends. Robinson has been excellent in practice; Paul has been more up and down.
Odds are we won’t see EDGE Mo Kamara Friday, but running back Jaylen Wright and safety Patrick McMorris can expect heavy workloads.
Is Quinton Bell for Real?
The breakthrough player of Dolphins training camp so far has been outside linebacker Quinton Bell, who has had an elevated role due to injuries to Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb.
He’s done so well that McDaniel named him the team’s starter at his position in the Dolphins’ first depth chart. But for Bell to make the 53, his practice proficiency needs to translate to the games.
Safeties First
Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer almost certainly will not play Friday. But the Dolphins’ top safety backups absolutely will.
Marcus Maye and Elijah Campbell have been excellent in practice. If that form continues into the preseason, playing time from scrimmage during the regular season is a real possibility.