Outstanding notes and disappointments. A look at Dolphins practices

The Dolphins are halfway through their 18 training camp practices, but this summer’s crucial evaluation periods still lie ahead.

The team will hold a pair of joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday and Thursday before the first of three preseason games.

Other group practices with the Philadelphia Eagles lead up to their preseason finale.

Still, the first two weeks of camp have revealed highlights as well as disappointments.

Here’s a rundown of four players who have impressed and four others who have gone less brightly after the first half of training camp.

THEY ATTRACT ATTENTION

▪ Trill Williams: The second-year cornerback was one of two undrafted rookies on the 2021 roster. A three-year athlete at Syracuse, Williams didn’t play much last season and seemingly returned for his sophomore year as a likely candidate to make the official list.

Byron Jones started camp on the physically disabled list and Xavien Howard has been limited in workouts with the team which has opened up an opportunity for Williams and 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene.

Though both young players have had their moments, both good and bad, Williams has been the more consistent of the two, using his size and physicality to often interrupt wide receivers and slam his hands into the ball. The Dolphins have their three established cornerbacks in Howard, Jones and Nik Needham. However, Williams is well on his way to cementing himself in a key backup role with his performance.

▪ Jaelan Phillips: You could recognize him for his work on defense. Many names, from starters like Christian Wilkins to potential players like Porter Gustin, have done well in team drills. Phillips gets the nod here as a second-year player who looks ready to break out after posting 8.5 sacks as a rookie.

He’s been a disruptive force hunting down quarterbacks and has been up to the task of chasing down the pack of speedy ball-carryers on Miami’s offense.

Phillips acknowledged that he still needs to improve as a running defender to be a complete player. But the start of his second training camp is a stark contrast to his first when he was limited by injury and took a while to get his bearings in the NFL.

▪ Braylon Sanders: After no undrafted rookie drew attention during OTAs in the spring, Sanders has been the most productive undrafted free agent thus far in camp.

Known for his big-play knack at Ole Miss (he led the SEC with 22.9 receiving yards in 2021), Sanders has shown the same kind of plays at Baptist Health Training Complex, getting behind defenders and establishing a relationship with his teammate. rookie Skylar Thompson.

The Dolphins likely have one or two spots available at wide receiver, and Sanders is making a strong case for one.

▪ Erik Ezukanma: As a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, Ezukanma is a candidate for the 53-man roster.

Now, the Texas Tech pick is giving coaches a reason to give him an offensive role this fall.

Other than Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Ezukanma has arguably been Miami’s most productive pass catcher this summer. He has proven reliable by catching passes from three quarterbacks and has used his 6-foot-2 height well to come out on top on contested catches.

WITH LESS BRIGHTNESS

▪ Lynn Bowden Jr.: How crowded the wide receiver position is and the limited opportunities he’s had in team drills means some players have been relegated to show a little more.

One of those athletes appears to be Bowden. His reps in 11-on-11 action have been scant and he hasn’t had a lot of pressure when he has taken the field. Bowden’s skill set seemed tailored to coach Mike McDaniel’s creative scheme. However, he has not distinguished himself and he may have to work hard to make the team.

▪ Preston Williams: Williams is another player who has been caught up in a numbers game and hasn’t gotten many targets so far. He seemed to express his frustration a few days after training camp by tweeting: “I just want to [una] chance”. Since that post, Williams, who re-signed with the team on a one-year deal, hasn’t had any notable plays and has been outplayed by Sanders and Ezukanma, among other players.

▪ Adam Shaheen: Shaheen was a starter to start the 2021 season until a knee injury sidelined him and Durham Smythe arrived, turning a career year into a new two-year deal.

Nothing about the start of training camp seems to change that pecking order and Shaheen looks like a player who will need a strong performance in joint practices and preseason to stay on Miami’s roster.

▪ Mike Gesicki: There is no concern about Gesicki’s position on the payroll. He signed as a franchise player and has been a fixture in training camp, even as how he fits into McDaniel’s scheme remains a topic of daily interest.

Gesicki’s use during practice has been something to watch out for given his struggles as a blocker and the fact that tight ends are often asked to line up to block. Gesicki has given up plenty of snaps to Smythe, second-year player Hunter Long and even Cethan Carter at times. When he has been in the field, Gesicki has been attacked infrequently..

When he spoke to reporters last week, Gesicki noted that not a single snap as a receiver during practice. His role on offense, especially in preseason games, is a development to watch.

This story was originally published on August 7, 2022 4:34 p.m.