The Dolphins closed the 2025 preseason with a 14-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and now the focus shifts to finalizing the 53-man roster. After a summer of camps, joint practices, and three exhibitions, several depth-chart battles have started to crystallize.
Punter settled
– Jake Bailey edged out Ryan Stonehouse to retain his role as the Dolphins’ punter for a third season. Bailey’s performance in early exhibitions gave Miami the stability they sought at the position.
No. 2 running back: Ollie Gordon II wins the job beat
– Winner: Ollie Gordon II
– With Raheem Mostert no longer part of the backfield, De’Von Achane is set to be the feature back, but Miami has typically mixed in multiple rushers. Gordon delivered a standout preseason, producing 126 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries (4.8-yard average). In contrast, Jaylen Wright struggled, posting 19 yards on 13 attempts (1.4 ypc) and missing the finale due to an undisclosed injury.
– Behind Wright at camp was free-agent addition Alexander Mattison, who was already dealing with a preseason neck injury before suffering a season-ending issue in Chicago. Gordon’s strong showing has earned him a real opportunity for early-season snaps, and with injuries possible to Achane and Wright, he could see action sooner rather than later.
Corners reshaped: No. 1, 2, and 3 cb winners
– Winners: Storm Duck, Jack Jones, and Mike Hilton
– Following the Jalen Ramsey trade, Kendall Fuller’s release, and Kader Kohou’s season-ending injury, Miami is constructing a new starting trio. Storm Duck appears poised to start on one outside corner after solid rookie-year contributions (14 games, 3 starts, 35 tackles, 4 passes defended).
– Mike Hilton projects as the nickel, bringing extensive starting experience from Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
– The opposite outside corner position remains fluid, with veterans Jack Jones and Kendall Sheffield, and rising talents such as Jason Marshall Jr. and Cam Smith in the mix. Ethan Bonner was making a push before a hamstring injury sidelined him for several weeks. Marshall Jr. has shone recently, especially in the slot, which could push him toward nickel duties.
– Jones brings the most starting experience (16 starts for the Raiders last season, with three interceptions and a notable pick-six), providing a reliable option as the Dolphins chase chemistry with a reshaped secondary.
No. 5 wide receiver: Tahj Washington earns the spot
– Winner: Tahj Washington
– The top four receivers are set—Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Malik Washington—leaving a competition for the final spot(s). Tahj Washington, in his second year after spending his rookie season on IR, emerged as the fifth receiver. He opened the preseason with 53 receiving yards on three catches against the Bears and finished with steady production, totaling 11 receptions on 14 targets across the preseason.
– Erik Ezukanma and Dee Eskridge offered appealing veteran experience, but Washington’s consistency and versatility gave him the edge as the final WR spot or a key rotational piece.
EDGE depth: McLendon and Murphy earn looks
– Winners: Derrick McLendon and Grayson Murphy
– The Dolphins’ edge group remains deep with Chop Robinson, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and newly signed Matt Judon creating strong competition. Grayson Murphy and Derrick McLendon each recorded two sacks across the three preseason games, signaling they’ve earned continued consideration.
– Mohamed Kamara has dealt with a concussion, potentially creating a path for one more addition or increased competition. Kamara’s injury and the arrival of Judon could tilt the balance and push Kamara toward the roster’s edge-cut line if others prove themselves.
No. 2 quarterback: Zach Wilson wins the backup job
– Winner: Zach Wilson
– The Dolphins brought in Wilson to be a fit with Mike McDaniel’s offense after last year’s quarterback room struggled. While Quinn Ewers flashed in the preseason—completing 11 of 17 for 116 yards with two touchdowns against Detroit and guiding three scoring drives—the Dolphins appear to prefer Wilson as the immediate backup behind Tua Tagovailoa.
– Ewers showed potential, but Wilson’s experience and familiarity with the system, plus the franchise’s recent investment, give him the edge as the Week 1 backup.
What this means for the 53
– The Dolphins have built a versatile, multi-layer depth chart across backfield, cornerback, receiver, edge, and quarterback. The decisions will likely hinge on health and how these players fit Miami’s plans early in the season, particularly at running back and cornerback, where injuries could shift roles quickly.
– Expect further finalization in the coming days, with the potential for last-minute tweaks as teams around the league finalize rosters.
Summary and outlook
– The Dolphins’ preseason performances sharpened a few questions while underscoring the team’s intent to leverage depth across multiple positions. If the health forecast holds, Miami’s evaluated groups—No. 2 back, starting corners, final WR, edge depth, and the backup QB—appear poised to contribute in a variety of ways as the regular season opens. The path to a hopeful 2025 campaign remains bright if these players can translate preseason momentum into consistent regular-season impact.