There’s an acceptable, understood feeling-things-out period that takes place in the first week of training camp.
Coaches are still adjusting to their new players, players are learning the scheme, and getting comfortable with their new surroundings, and the team’s trying to build chemistry and continuity, which they hope will carry over to the regular season.
That often requires a ton of experimentation, and that appears to be what the Miami Dolphins are doing during the first week of training camp in 2026.
Here’s a look at what we think we’ve learned about the Dolphins during the three training camp practices the media has watched so far, which leads up to Sunday’s 9:30 am practice, which is open to the general public.
Malik Willis needs polishing
Willis, a former NFL backup whom the Dolphins guaranteed $45 million over the next two seasons signing as a free agent, looks more like Tyrod Taylor than Jalen Hurts in the limited practices the media has watched since the spring. While he’s not allowed to scramble around because Miami’s coaches want him to focus on his performance in the pocket, he’s not producing crisp practices like we’ve seen in past years from veteran quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Maybe in time consistency will come, but right now Willis is a bit rough around the edges.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) sets up to pass during practice drills at the Miami Dolphins Training Camp in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, July 31, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Jeff Hafley’s about that action
Hafley has a unique approach to Dolphins training camp practices, one I’ve never seen in the two decades plus I’ve been covering football practices. The Dolphins new head coach has little interest in doing one-on-one drills, and 7-on-7 work. For the first three days of practice Miami’s had lengthy special teams and individual unit periods, and then 40-plus minutes of 11-on-11 work, which replicates game-like situations. It’ll be interesting to see if that approach changes when the pads come on Monday.
Dolphins fluid on defensive look
Even though Hafley claims he plans to run a 4-3 base defense, he inherited a 3-4 personnel, and it seems as if he’s not trying to cram a square peg into a round circle. Miami seems to be utilizing the defense’s depth at defensive line and inside linebacker. Maybe that approach changes as camp progresses, and the edge rushers become more involved. But for now, expect defensive fronts that feature three defensive tackles on the field at a time, and possibly four linebackers because that’s where the talent is. Of course, that can all change due to one injury.
Chop Robinson’s bigger, hopefully stronger
Robinson, the Dolphins 2024 first-round pick, is one of Miami’s players that has lofty expectations placed on his shoulders. Robinson acknowledged he’s struggled in his first two NFL seasons, added 12 pounds of muscle in the offseason, and hopes to establish himself as a reliable starting edge rusher. His breakout performance during Thursday’s practice – two sacks, one forced fumble he recovered, and a handful of pressures – hints he might be ready to deliver. But will Robinson continue making strides when the pads come on next week?
Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (44) stretches during a team practice session at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Zayne Anderson’s clubhouse leader at safety
It’s a challenge to guess which safety will be paired with Dante Trader Jr. in Miami’s secondary when the regular season arrives in six weeks, but it appears that Anderson, who has spent the past two seasons in Jeff Hafley’s defense in their time together in Green Bay, is in the pole position. Michael Taaffe, the former Texas standout the Dolphins selected in the fifth-round of the 2026 NFL draft, has a solid first week. Anderson and Taaffe both pulled down an interception in camp’s first week.
Dolphins need receiver upgrades
Miami’s 2026 receiver unit is hold-your-nose bad. Not one player in the unit caught a deep pass during training camp’s first week, and the unit was plagued by drops in the first three practices. Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Reagor and Tutu Atwell, the unit’s three most experienced receivers, all had a quiet week. At this rate it’s difficult to say Miami’s getting a good evaluation of the cornerback unit because the receivers have been mediocre.
Searching for in-line tight ends
Greg Dulcich is in the running to become Willis’ favorite target, but the fifth-year tight end has primarily worked off the line during his career. That means, unless he drastically improves as a blocker, the Dolphins will need to lean on Ben Sims, a fourth-year veteran, and/or Will Kacmarek for the in-line work, serving as a protector who must block defensive ends on passing plays, and open up holes on running lanes. Miami will get a better assessment of what all the tight ends can do from a blocking standpoint once the pads come on next week.
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (85) and linebacker Jackson Woodard (42) run through practice drills at the Miami Dolphins Training Camp in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, July 31, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Depth at O-line is troublesome
Even though it’s difficult to evaluate trench play without pads, like most seasons the Dolphins have a lackluster level of depth on the offensive line. Backup tacklers Charlie Heck and Marques Cox haven’t done well, and there’s a ton of mystery about Josh Priebe and D.J. Campbell, the top backup guards. At this point, if Miami needed to start a six offensive lineman that player would probably be backup center Andrew Meyers, and I’m not certain that’s a good thing.
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik speaks with tackle Charlie Heck before practice at the Miami Dolphins Training Camp in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, July 31, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Zeek Biggers pushing for starting role
Biggers, who was selected in the seventh-round of the 2025 NFL draft as a college nose tackle, has transformed his body into a 3 technique defensive end in the span of a year. The changes made are allowing him to compete for an edge setting role in Miami’s base defense, and at this point Biggers has proven he can be relied on to set the edge, filling a role in Miami’s run stopping packages.
Rookies are flashing
Receiver Caleb Douglas flashed a number of times during camp’s first week, as did linebacker Jacob Rodiguez, and safety Michael Taaffe. And cornerback Chris Johnson, offensive guard Kadyn Proctor, strong side linebacker Trey Moore, tight end Will Kacmarek are all viewed as frontrunners to hold starting spots, or prominent roles. The hope is that the rookies will steadily improve, stay healthy, and master the roles they’re all being groomed for.
This story was originally published July 31, 2026 at 5:06 PM.
