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Dolphins’ 2026 Camp Checklist: 5 Must-Solve Mysteries Before Week 1
Miami Dolphins Training Camp: 10 Big Questions That Need Answers Before the Season Starts
TL;DR: The Miami Dolphins have a lot of work to do before their season opener on September 13th. With a new offense, new quarterback, and lots of unproven players, training camp is make-or-break time.
The Big Picture: Why This Camp Matters So Much
Imagine you’re building a LEGO castle, but:
- You have a brand new instruction manual (offense/defense systems)
- Your master builder just quit (lost Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle)
- Your foundation pieces are wobbly (offensive & defensive lines)
- You’re missing half the roof pieces (secondary/defensive backs)
That’s exactly where the Dolphins stand as veterans report Tuesday and practices start Wednesday. They have seven weeks to fix everything before facing the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 10 Burning Questions Dolphins Coaches Must Answer
1. Will the Offense Start Slow Under New Play-Caller Bobby Slowik?
The Situation: Slowik had one amazing year coaching C.J. Stroud in Houston, then one bad year that got him fired. Last year as Miami’s "pass game coordinator," the passing game got worse (losing Hill to injury didn’t help).
Why It Matters: He’s installing significant changes while working with brand new starters at quarterback, receiver, AND tight end. That’s like teaching three new dancers a complicated routine while changing the music.
2. Can Malik Willis Actually Run an Offense?
The Situation: Miami guaranteed Willis $45 million over two years. He looked good in spurts as a backup in Green Bay, but never been "the guy."
The Challenge: Defenses will study him, create a "game plan book," and:
- Take away his scrambling (his strength)
- Force him to throw from the pocket (his weakness)
IMPORTANT POINT: Willis must prove he can win from the pocket, not just with his legs, or Miami will start looking for his replacement fast.
3. Can Any Edge Rusher Play Every Single Down?
The Current Crew: Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, David Ojabo, Robert Beal Jr.
The Problem: All are unproven as full-time starters. They’re mostly "situational players" (good at either rushing the passer or stopping the run).
The Goal: Find 2+ guys who can play every down so the defense doesn’t have to use a 3-4 formation as their base alignment.
4. Who Is the #1 Receiver Now That Hill & Waddle Are Gone?
Current "Alpha": Jalen Tolbert — a career backup with 91 catches in 4 years (1,093 yards, 10 TDs).
The Hope: At least one or two other receivers step up and become reliable playmakers. Right now, it’s a giant question mark.
5. Does Miami Have Any Proven Starting Defensive Backs?
Short Answer: No. Not a single proven starter at cornerback or safety on the entire roster.
The Roster Mix:
- Journeymen (bounced around teams)
- Special teams guys
- "Fragile talents" (injury prone)
- Inexperienced players
Frontrunners: Safety Dante Trader Jr. & rookie Chris Johnson (nickel corner) — IF they stay healthy. The other 3 starting spots? Wide open competition.
6. Is Greg Dulcich Ready to Be a Starting Tight End?
His Resume: 13 starts in 4 seasons. Showed flashes last year in Miami’s system.
What He Needs:
- Stay healthy (big if)
- Learn the new offense fast
- Build chemistry with Willis (who will likely throw to him as a "safety valve")
Backup Plan: Almost non-existent — the position group is very inexperienced.
7. Can Austin Jackson Stay Healthy for a Full Season?
The Injury History: Broke his foot last camp when a teammate stepped on it → plagued him all 2025 → offseason procedure → missed all OTAs/minicamp.
The Dilemma:
- Smart approach: Bring him slowly, limit contact drills
- Real problem: Miami has very few quality backup tackles
IMPORTANT POINT: If Jackson goes down again, the offensive line could collapse — and there’s no safety net.
8. Can Jonah Savaiinaea Handle Right Guard?
Background: 2nd-round pick (2025), Arizona standout. Struggled badly last year — one of the worst-rated guards due to inconsistent pass protection.
The Fix: Moving him from left guard → right guard (his college position). Coaches hope this "homecoming" helps.
Backup Plan: Rookie D.J. Campbell gets a shot if Savaiinaea doesn’t stabilize quickly.
9. Have the 2nd-Year Defensive Tackles Taken a Leap?
Last Year’s Run Defense: Terrible — 4.8 yards/carry allowed, 132.4 rushing yards/game.
The Culprits: Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers played a lot as "investment snaps."
The Expectation: That investment must pay off NOW. Miami needs to stuff the run to create 3rd-and-long situations.
10. Who Is the 3rd Starting Linebacker?
The Locked-In Duo: Jordyn Brooks & Tyrel Dodson — productive last year, good chemistry.
The Rookies Fighting for Spot #3:
- Jacob Rodriguez (2nd-round pick) — could even take the "green dot" (play-caller) role from Dodson
- Trey Moore — rush specialist
- Kyle Louis — coverage specialist
Likely Outcome: All three see the field in situational packages.
Numbered Checklist: What Success Looks Like in 7 Weeks
- Offense — Slowik’s system clicks; Willis makes quick decisions from pocket
- Receivers — Tolbert + 2 others emerge as reliable targets
- Tight End — Dulcich stays healthy, becomes Willis’ security blanket
- O-Line — Jackson stays upright; Savaiinaea stabilizes at RG
- D-Line — 2+ edge rushers prove they’re every-down players; DTs stop the run
- Secondary — 5 starters emerge from the "journeyman pile" and stay healthy
- Linebackers — Rodriguez earns green dot; Moore/Louis excel in special roles
- Chemistry — New QB + new weapons + new system = functional unit
- Depth — Backups develop enough to survive inevitable injuries
- Identity — Team discovers who they are before Week 1
Summary
The Miami Dolphins enter training camp with more questions than answers — and that’s putting it mildly. They’ve torn down the roster (goodbye Hill, Waddle, salary cap space) and are rebuilding on the fly with:
- A first-time starting QB on a big contract
- A play-caller with something to prove
- Zero proven defensive backs
- Major injury concerns at key positions
- Rookies expected to start immediately
The next 7 weeks aren’t just practice — they’re auditions. Every snap determines who starts, who sits, and whether this season becomes a playoff push or a "wait ’til next year" situation.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Why did the Dolphins get rid of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle?
A: It was a salary cap purge. Both had huge contracts. Miami chose to reset financially rather than pay elite receiver money while rebuilding other positions. It’s a "tear it down to build it back up" strategy.
Q: Is Malik Willis actually good, or just expensive?
A: The jury’s out. He showed flashes of brilliance as a backup in Green Bay (athleticism, arm talent), but never sustained it. The $45M guarantee says Miami believes — but he has to prove it against starting defenses, not in mop-up duty.
Q: What’s a "nickel cornerback" and why does Chris Johnson matter?
A: A nickel corner covers the slot receiver (inside position) in 5-DB packages — which happens ~65% of snaps in modern NFL. It’s basically a starting role. Johnson winning this job as a rookie would be huge.
Q: What does "green dot" mean for linebackers?
A: The green dot on the helmet = the player who receives play calls from the sideline via radio. That player relays the defense to everyone else. It’s the "quarterback of the defense." Rodriguez taking it from Dodson would signal huge trust.
Q: Can this team actually win games with this many holes?
A: Yes, but… The AFC East is brutal (Bills, Jets, Patriots all improved). Best case: Willis clicks fast, defense gels, they steal 9-10 wins. Worst case: Slow start, injuries pile up, 4-13 and high draft pick. Training camp decides which timeline we’re on.
