Saturday, the Miami Dolphins will take on the Houston Texans, on the road, in their second preseason game of the year.
The team's first preseason contest against the Atlanta Falcons wasn't too eventful, as the team put up just three points. Now, Miami held out some of their bigger names and for good reason. But still, they need to see something out of those guys gunning for some of the final roster spots available.
Starting against Houston, we are hopeful that these four players step up and play well, because their immediate future certainly depends on it.
1. Keidron Smith, DB
In the Dolphins' secondary, their safety position is getting interesting. For right now, the locks appear to be Jevon Holland, Brandon Jones, DeShon Elliott and Elijah Campbell. Assuming the Dolphins keep five safeties on their final roster, that last spot looks to be between veteran Trill Williams and undrafted rookie Keidron Smith.
Right now, it's close and the undrafted rookie could end up finding his way to that final roster spot if he plays well in his final two preseason games. In his first preseason action, Smith led the dolphins in pass breakups and played 31 total snaps.
Smith allowed just one reception for three yards in those snaps and was targeted three times. Pro Football Focus gave him a very strong grade of 81.1 overall for his performance, making it look like he very well could have a leg up and make this team after going undrafted.
2. Myles Gaskin, RB
Running back is quite the crowded room in Miami. Thankfully, the Dolphins didn't end up signing Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott and instead are riding with the depth they have. The question is, which guys will be left off the final roster?
Of course, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are the veteran locks. Then, rookie De'Von Achane is next on the depth chart, and many predict that he could end up having a big role. Achane is an explosive player and looks like the perfect back for a Mike McDaniel offense.
Behind those three, there are a pair of veterans and an undrafted rookie. The veterans consist of Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin. Chris Brooks is last on the chart, going undrafted out of BYU.
Gaskin had seven carries in his first preseason action, going for 57 yards. It was as good of a performance as he could have asked for. If he keeps that up, Gaskin should get the fourth spot on the depth chart, pushing Ahmed to a possible practice squad member.
Back in 2021, Gaskin was a big part of the Dolphins' run game when he ran 173 times for 612 yards and three scores. In both 2020 and 2021, Gaskin ended with over 40 receptions, proving he can be a valuable third down option as well.
3. Erik Ezukanma, WR
The Dolphins' passing attack is going to be up there in terms of the tops in all of football, so long as Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy. This is due in large part from having so many weapons at wide receiver. Of course, Tua gets to throw the ball to maybe the best duo in football, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Aside those two, the Dolphins have slot wide receiver Braxton Berrios. From there, Miami could be looking at keeping Cedrick Wilson and Robbie Chosen (Anderson). That makes five, and assuming the Dolphins keep six wide receivers, that final spot looks to be left open for Erik Ezukanma to take.
In his first preseason action against the Falcons, Ezukanma totaled 67 yards on just five touches. The 2022 fourth-round pick spent most of last season inactive, but has had a strong training camp thus far and looks like he could finally earn himself a role.
In a McDaniel offense, Ezukanma could be a valuable weapon who can be used in a variety of ways, both in the passing and run game. Hopefully, the Dolphins recognize his talent over the following two weeks.
4. Julian Hill, TE
Finally, we come to the tight end position where the Dolphins have a myriad of guys they can choose to use. After allowing Mike Gesicki to leave via free agency and sign with the division rival New England Patriots, the Dolphins didn't do anything too serious at tight end. Instead, because the offense isn't predicated on tight end usage, they're going to roll with some more mid-level talents.
First up on the depth chart is Durham Smythe, and right behind him is veteran Eric Saubert. The Dolphins did draft Elijah Higgins in the sixth round, and the former Stanford standout should wind up making the roster. If the Dolphins kept a fourth tight end, it could come down to veteran Tyler Kroft and the undrafted rookie Julian Hill out of Campbell.
Throughout training camp, Hill has looked better than Kroft and appears to be a more serious threat in the passing game. Again, the Dolphins don't necessarily use tight ends that much, but it helps to have another threat in the passing game at the position.
Hill just needs the opportunity with some preseason snaps. Will he get them? That's the question. Kroft was targeted twice in the Dolphins' preseason opener but caught neither of them.