RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Several players have the chance to elevate their status on the Miami Dolphins ' depth chart when they open the preseason Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET against the Washington Commanders . On a very young team that has 58 of 91 players in their third NFL season or less, mixed with some injuries, there will be opportunities across the roster.
A few stand out as players to keep an eye on, with plenty to gain should they put a solid showing on.
DL Zeek Biggers
Last year’s seventh-round defensive lineman, Zeek Biggers, had a solid rookie season in limited action. In just nine games in 2025, he tallied 20 tackles, which is significant, as he became the sixth seventh rounder since 2000 to record at least 20 stops as a rookie. He also became the first Dolphins' seventh rounder since Derrick Pope in 2004, to make 20-plaus tackles in their first NFL season.
With veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler week-to-week due to injury, Biggers should see plenty of time on the field as he is listed right behind the longest-tenured player in Miami on the initial depth chart. Also, as head coach Jeff Hafley has indicated, Biggers has versatility, and could be used on the interior as well as the edge.
Hafley told reporters earlier this month, “He’s got really good size and he's athletic for his size, and he has the ability to line up inside because of that. But then he's got the athleticism and the strength that we like, especially on run downs to set the edge and it will be specific based on down and distance personnel, what packages we want to use, whether we want to get in the different looks, odd, even, but I like where he's at…”
CB Ethan Bonner
Cornerback Ethan Bonner was signed as an undrafted free agent back in 2023 and has been a summer standout consistently. However, he has yet to truly grasp a regular season role, and has just 21 appearances as a pro, with no starts.
Bonner is currently listed behind JuJu Brents on the depth chart, but could see a start Friday night against the Commanders . Brent did not practice this week, so Bonner could have a great opportunity to continue a strong August, and solidify his spot on the 53-man roster. The Dolphins drafted Chris Johnson in the first round, but could utilize him mainly as a slot corner, making the competition on the outside between Bonner, Brents, and second-year Jason Marshall Jr. one to watch.
There are also several free agent signings that will challenge Bonner, including Marco Wilson, Miles Battle and Nate McCloud and the currently injured Darrell Baker Jr. Also to be mentioned are returning players like Storm Duck, currently on the active PUP list, as well as A.J. Green III.
RB Jaylen Wright
While De’Von Achane is the superstar in Miami, a backup running back needs to be identified, and third-year Jaylen Wright may have that job, but is his to lose. Wright has had an up and down start to his career and will try to hold off second-year runner Ollie Gordon who has similar inconsistency thus far.
Wright rushed for 537 yards in his 25 games so far, averaging just 3.9 per carry and has two touchdowns. He has added eight receptions for 52 yards, but has worked hard to improve his game. Taking notice, is recently extended center Aaron Brewer, who complimented Wright last week.
Brewer told media, “His focus out there. Like you can see he's matured much more and he's trying to just do everything he can. Like his intensity every rep, you see he’s bringing it every play, every rep, every like in everything we doing from in the weight room to on the field. He's trying to grind. He's trying to make a name for himself.”
Two Texas Rookies – LB/EDGE Trey Moore and S Michael Taaffe
A pair of Texas Longhorns have a fantastic opportunity Friday night in linebacker Trey Moore and safety Michael Taaffe. The fourth and fifth round selections, respectively, have been impressive in the early goings of camp, as well as joint practice with the Commanders.
Specifically Moore, who is listed as a started inside linebacker on the depth chart, has caught the eye of Hafley, who sees versatility in the rookie. Moore has the flexibility to be a viable chess piece for Hafley, and can play off ball, cover tight ends, and rush the passer off the edge.
Moore could solidify is status in becoming a three-down player in Hafley’s defense. Just a few days ago, the coach told reporters what he likes about Moore, saying, “Consistency, versatility. He's done a really good job setting the edge. He can play inside linebacker, he can play outside linebacker at Sam, and then he's got the ability to rush.”
Hafley added, “He gives you a linebacker who can play all three downs. He can play in zones. He's good against the run and he's got rush value to him. So we'll see where he's at. But I like the way he's practiced.”
Moving to the secondary, and listed as the backup currently to veteran free agent Zayne Anderson, Taaffe has shown is instincts and coverage ability. He had an outstanding pass breakup to close practice against the Commanders on Wednesday, preventing a touchdown.
Hafley challenged Taaffe earlier in training camp despite to rookie making an interception, although he was out of position. The head coach detailed to media earlier in the month, "Taaffe made an interception the other day and he was completely wrong. He shouldn't have even been there. So he joked around with me and he's like, well, you know, he commented on the result. I said, ‘oh, you're a results guy, huh?’ I mean, jokingly, I said, ‘I'm about the process.”
He added, “Now trust me, in a game that's like, yeah, great job, but like, what the hell are you doing? But right now in practice, the focus has to be on the process to make sure that that's right or else those results won't happen consistently.”
Taaffe is an intelligent player, and almost an extension of a coach on the field, so watch for him to embra...
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