Expectations were slim for the Miami Dolphins heading into their second preseason game of the season against the New York Giants. With the starters sitting out and Miami having no depth behind them, chances were that it would turn ugly, and it did.
In the Dolphins' 26-3 loss to the Giants, a pair of veterans particularly stood out in their struggles. And to be honest, Tutu Atwell and Andrew Meyer have been far from impressive all offseason. So while it may seem like a knee-jerk reaction immediately following the game, it's not out of the realm of possibility that either player or both get left off of Miami's final 53-man roster at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, there were some positives to take away from the game, even if they felt hard to find. One of them was linebacker Jackson Woodard, who had another impressive day with his opportunity. So much so that despite him being in a crowded LB room, I like Woodard's odds of making the team more than I do Atwell's and Meyer's at this point.
Miami Dolphins roster outlook saw some surprising changes after loss to Giants
Tutu Atwell and Andrew Meyer continued their struggles against Giants
This time last year, there was a lot of excitement about Meyer. With him backing up center Aaron Brewer, it felt like the Dolphins were at least set at one position on the offensive line. Unfortunately, he got hurt with a triceps injury prior to the start of the year and missed significant time. Nevertheless, Meyer bounced back to return and even started against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late in the year.
Meyer played well in that game, but he's been on a downward trajectory this offseason under the Dolphins' new coaching staff. Heading into Saturday's game, Meyer needed a bounce-back performance in the worst way after struggling against the Washington Commanders. It didn't happen, however, and the only bounce-back Meyer performed came at the hands of the Giants' defenders bouncing him into the backfield.
Given Miami's lack of depth, I still think Meyer makes the team. But as Phin Phanatic's Brian Miller alluded to, if the Dolphins consider cross-training someone else, he could be on the bubble. Moreover, if another team releases a lineman whom the Dolphins' organization deems better, Meyer's status on the initial 53 could be short-lived.
Less than two weeks ago, when the Dolphins released their initial depth chart, I warned that Atwell could be in trouble of making the roster since he was already being listed behind rookie Caleb Douglas. After two preseason games, he's done nothing to sway that opinion.
Against the Giants, Atwell totaled the same number of receiving yards and receptions as you and I did. The former Los Angeles Rams WR did see two targets thrown his way from Cam Miller, but Atwell ultimately dropped them both. For his sake, Miller was far from impressive, but he could have had a more respectable day if his receivers had held onto the ball. Yes, it was raining, but Atwell and company -- outside of Kevin Coleman Jr. -- did him no favors.
The days of Atwell potentially being Miami's WR1 are long gone. Now, it's a wonder if he even makes the team. In no particular order, Douglas, Coleman, Chris Bell, and Malik Washington are the Dolphins' top receivers at the moment. After that, it's up for grabs. Atwell has been used in the return game some, which could save him, but my guess is he'll be cut eventually for someone not currently on the team.
Jackson Woodard provides another impressive performance
Woodard, meanwhile, was one of the bright spots in Miami's lopsided loss. After leading the Dolphins with seven tackles against the Commanders, Woodard finished with five and a fumble recovery against New York. He's also been a vital piece on special teams, which is key.
Watching Woodard on the field, you can instantly tell he is a Jeff Hafley guy, as he has a knack for finding himself near the football on almost every play. The fumble recovery may have been more right place, right time, after Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. legitimately lost it, but sometimes that's all it takes.
The only thing going against Woodard at the moment is that the LB room is one of the few in which the Dolphins are strongest. In addition to Miami taking Jacob Rodriguez, Kyle Louis, and Trey Moore in the draft, as well as inking Jordyn Brooks to an extension, Woodard still has Willie Gay Jr., Tyrel Dodson, and Ronnie Harrison Jr. to worry about on the depth chart.
It's possible Woodard beats out Gay (who is also having an impressive preseason), and maybe they shop Dodson to the highest bidder. Then, if Louis continues to play more at safety, an opportunity could be had for the young LB out of UNLV.
Regardless, Woodard has worked himself into a legitimate roster bubble spot and a welcoming problem for the Dolphins' coaching staff to think about. Despite playing sparingly in Miami's final games last season, he was viewed more as a camp body than anything else entering the 2026 season. Yet, Woodard's doing what he can with the opportunity he has.
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