Dolphins’ Willis looks sharp and other observations from preseason opener vs. Commanders

The Miami Dolphins’ preseason opener at the Washington Commanders marked the unofficial debut for the new trio of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis, and it got off to a relatively good start despite Washington leading, 17-7, through three quarters.

Willis led the starting offense to a touchdown drive on the game’s opening possession while showing promise as a passer and runner. Running back De’Von Achane had success on the ground behind a strong effort by the offensive line. Most of the offensive starters only played one possession.

The defense struggled a bit in the first half with the reserves on the field even after producing a second-quarter interception, and the offense also gasped and wheezed with the reserves on the field.

Among the things that Sullivan and Hafley have preached are physicality, being tough in the trenches and running the ball, and those traits surfaced at times. Miami’s offense totaled 157 yards in the first half (87 rushing, 70 passing) but the defense allowed 207 yards, including 112 rushing. Washington’s offense totaled 287 yards through three quarters compared to 192 yards for Miami’s offense.

Here’s what we learned Friday:

Malik Willis shines in preseason debut

Willis played the opening possession before leaving the game, but it was a strong appearance.

Willis showed good composure, arm strength, accuracy and decision-making, going 4 for 5 passing for 43 yards while leading the Dolphins on a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive. Willis also had two carries for nine yards.

Willis initially showed his legs when he slid after a six-yard gain to the Washington 20-yard line and he later added a three-yard gain.

Willis has been solid in training camp and Friday’s appearance supported what he’s displayed so far.

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Douglas shows his skills and inexperience

Rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas, the third-round pick, flashed some good and bad Friday, which has been his story in training camp. Douglas, who has displayed enough talent to overtake Malik Washington as the so-called WR1, the team’s top wide receiver, stepped out of bounds on a potential first down reception when he was wide open but didn’t know where he was on the field, negating a potential 23-yard gain to the Commanders’ 39-yard line.

A few plays later, however, Douglas went up and showed his skills with a one-handed reception for a 28-yard gain. Overall, Douglas (one reception, 28 yards) has been an early success but he needs consistency.

Chop Robinson sets the edge

Edge rusher Chop Robinson offered a sign of progress set the edge in the first quarter by turning a run by Washington running back Kaytron Allen back to the inside on a one-yard gain. Hafley has said he wants Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick who has just 10 sacks in two seasons, to be a complete player, meaning playing the run and pass. Robinson is making gradual progress in both areas.

Physicality shows on offense through run game

The starting offensive line of center Aaron Brewer, left guard Kadyn Proctor, left tackle Patrick Paul, right guard Jonah Savaiinaea and right tackle Austin Jackson did good work on the opening possession with punishing run blocking and decent protection for the pass.

Achane, who only played the first possession, had seven carries for 39 yards and a touchdown, and the Dolphins’ starters didn’t have any negative runs by mostly running between the tackles.

Achane had a 14-yard gain running in a hole created by Brewer and Savaiinaea on his second carry and the ground game kept going from there.

Guards Savaiinaea and Proctor stayed in the game past the first possession but Brewer, Paul and Jackson went to the sideline.

Jacob Rodriguez enters game on second possession

Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the second-round pick who has had a hot start to training camp, didn’t start but he took the field on the second possession in relief of veteran Tyrel Dodson, the returning starter. Rodriguez has been disruptive in training camp with pass deflections and sideline-to-sideline speed along with good awareness.

Rodriguez (one tackle through three quarters) appeared to overrun the play on a 15-yard run by Commanders running back Robert Henry Jr. but he remains a threat to take Dodson’s starting job for the season opener.

CB Marco Wilson makes another play for playmaking defense

Cornerback Marco Wilson, the five-year veteran who is fighting for a roster spot, had an interception near the Washington 5-yard line on the final play of the first quarter, holding up a pattern of playmaking for the defense. It was third and 10 play at the Dolphins’ 30-yard line and Wilson secured an errant throw by quarterback Sam Hartman, who was relieving Marcus Mariota, who left with an apparent leg injury a few plays earlier.

Miami’s defense, led by the secondary, which was without two starters Friday — cornerback JuJu Brents and safety Dante Trader Jr. — has had good success producing interceptions and fumbles in training camp. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson (two tackles in first half) had a chance at an interception in the end zone on a low pass in the second quarter but couldn’t come up with the ball.

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