RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Miami Dolphins open their preseason schedule Friday night against the Washington Commanders at 7:00 p.m. ET , and this will be the first professional head coaching appearance for Jeff Hafley. Although just an exhibition, it'll be a great opportunity for him and his young team to start a new direction for a franchise rebuilding, yet again.
Hafley will lead a roster in which 63.7% are entering their third NFL season or less, which accounts for 58 out of 91 players. The average age of this roster is 25 years old, which is the youngest of any Dolphins ’ team entering the preseason in the last five years.
Part of that youth will be several undrafted rookie free agents who could see plenty of action against the Commanders , and here are four to keep an eye on in their quest to battle and make the 53-man roster.
S Louis Moore
Perhaps the leading UDFA at the moment with a legitimate shot at making the team is Louis Moore, the safety from the 2025 Indiana Hoosiers National Championship team . Moore has versatility in his field alignment, which is very valuable and coveted by Hafley. He can play deep at free safety, up in the box, and in the slot. He also played wide receiver in junior college prior to transferring to Indiana , as he has great ball-tracking skills, evident by his six interceptions in 2025.
With second-year safety Dante Trader Jr. not playing this week during joint practice, Moore should see plenty of snaps Friday night. On Miami’s initial depth chart, Moore is listed behind Trader and veteran journeyman Lonnie Johnson Jr. In a safety room that could be anyone’s guess as to who will see the most seasonal snaps beyond Trader, Moore is making a push and has already been praised by veteran free agent safety addition Zayne Anderson.
He told reporters last week, “he's tenacious; he's a football player. You can just see his aggression. He can cover. He's physical. I think he's going to be a dawg on special teams. I think he could play a huge role on defense from an early start. Just watching him, I haven't even talked to him that much, honestly, but watching him play football, it's cool to see.”
EDGE Mason Reiger
A 2024 knee injury set Mason Reiger back, who has talent that should have made him a 2026 NFL Draft pick. He was able to play in 2025 for the Wisconsin Badgers following three seasons at Louisville. Reiger had a fine senior season in Big Ten competition and finished with 33 total tackles, six for loss, five sacks and a pass defensed. He earned a spot at the East-West Shrine Bowl and was named Defensive MVP.
Reiger was one of the first UDFAs Miami signed following the draft , and has shown sparks of his pass-rushing ability throughout training camp. He showcased his ability to get pressure and ultimately sack the quarterback and has a very solid opportunity on Friday night to make a name for himself. The Dolphins are in need of edge rushers, and Reiger could battle seventh-round pick Max Llewellyn for a roster spot, as well as a few of those one-year veterans Miami signed in the offseason.
Reiger was the third-ranked edge rusher in Athleticism Score from the 2026 NFL Combine, and at 6-foot-4, he also has top-tier length in that class. From a measurable and athletic metric sense, in addition to his time at Wisconsin, there are some similarities to former Miami standout Andrew Van Ginkel. The two each have a relentless motor, so watch for Reiger to do all he can to move up on the depth chart on Friday and throughout the preseason.
FB/ST DJ Herman
An intriguing rookie free agent is converted linebacker from San Diego State, DJ Herman. The Dolphins list him behind Ben Sims as a FB/TE, and Herman has shown solid blocking as well as reliable hands at his new position. Herman was also a valuable special teamer in college, and in preseason football, that is an area where fringe roster players could cement their status in hopes of making the cut on the 53-man roster at the end of the month.
He will have a chance to show what he can do as a blocker and perhaps a receiver out of the backfield at times, but it is the third phase of the game in which he could truly separate himself from the pack. Running back Jaylen Wright spoke highly of Herman back in July and even compared him to a former Miami fullback from the last few seasons.
Wright told the media, “We got a new guy, ‘Herm,’ he's a rookie. I see a lot of potential in him. I see Alec [Ingold] in him kind of, like his mindset, skill set. Just how he goes about his day, he's a pro already.”
RT Kevin Cline
Lastly, and at a position that needs to identify a backup for veteran right tackle Austin Jackson, Boston College product Kevin Cline has one distinct advantage. Hafley coached him at Boston College, so clearly there is a liking and confidence in Cline to at least give him the opportunity to compete following the selection process.
Also, homegrown from Boca Raton, Cline has solid size at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds and started all 11 games at right tackle in 2025 for BC. Cline has athleticism, having played both basketball and volleyball in high school, and he could battle for a spot in the offensive line room, which needs depth.
The Dolphins made a trade earlier in the week with the New England Patriots for T/G Caedan Wallace, so Cline’s path could be a tad more difficult than at the start of training camp. However, a solid performance Friday night could move him up the depth chart, as veteran Charlie Heck has not looked very good so far during camp.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 4 Miami Dolphins' UDFAs to watch Friday night against Commanders
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