Training camp is almost here for the Miami Dolphins.
Rookies will report on July 21, with veterans arriving on July 28.
With that in mind, there will be several camp battles for a team that's still in the early stages of a rebuild. The Dolphins' roster has several areas of uncertainty, which is why a number of players need a strong summer to quiet the naysayers.
QB Malik Willis
After signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract this spring, it goes without saying that Willis needs to have a strong camp.
In addition to building chemistry with his new receivers, Willis needs to show he can consistently lead an offense after making just six career NFL starts. During his first three starts with the Tennessee Titans, Willis struggled with accuracy and often looked to run rather than throw.
His accuracy improved during his two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, but he started only three games and attempted just 66 passes during that span.
Willis will also need to fend off backup Quinn Ewers, who started the final three games of last season after Tua Tagovailoa was benched.
RB Jaylen Wright
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De'Von Achane is unequivocally Miami's RB1 when healthy. The question is: Who will be his primary backup?
Wright and Ollie Gordon II will both compete for carries. In two seasons since being selected in the fourth round, Wright has rushed for 537 yards and two touchdowns.
Given Achane's skill set, the Dolphins want either Wright or Gordon to emerge as their short-yardage back who can consistently get downhill.
Wright's career is at a bit of a crossroads. Not only could he be fighting for more carries, but he could also be fighting for his roster spot after reports surfaced that he struggled with pass-catching during the spring.
OL Jonah Savaiinaea
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Savaiinaea struggled during his rookie season, allowing eight sacks — the most by any guard in the NFL last season. He also earned the lowest grade among guards from Pro Football Focus (28.4).
After the Dolphins drafted tackle Kadyn Proctor in the first round to play left guard, Savaiinaea will shift back to his natural position at right guard, where he played in college at Arizona.
CB Chris Johnson
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Outside of wide receiver, the Dolphins' cornerback group is their biggest weakness. Last year's starters — Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas, and Kader Kohou — all departed in free agency, making it imperative that Johnson adjusts quickly to the speed of the NFL.
Johnson is a versatile corner who excels in both man and zone coverage. At 6-foot, 193 pounds, he also has the size to play both outside and in the slot.
Miami traded the Nos. 30 and 90 overall picks to the San Francisco 49ers to move up to No. 27 and select Johnson. The Dolphins recorded just nine interceptions in 2025, ranking 24th in the NFL, so they can't afford for Johnson to get off to a slow start.
