Three Pointers from the Dolphins Preseason Finale
The Dolphins are officially two weeks away from kicking off their 2025-2026 NFL season. The Dolphins wrapped up their three-game preseason with two wins and a tie, successfully beating the Lions and then the Jaguars in their final game, while tying with the Bears in their opening game. The final week of the preseason brought starters from all positions for Miami, not including guys like Tyreek Hill, De’Von Achane, and Kenneth Grant, who were all dealing with minor injuries. In the 14-6 win over Jacksonville, there were multiple takeaways fans could look at. In this article, you will find three of the biggest takeaways that will have an effect on their Week One contest with the Colts.
The Dolphins’ Pass Rush Looked Scary
One of the Dolphins’ lone strengths on defense is the pass rush game. The Dolphins were desperately missing Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips last season, having to rely on their very limited depth and on the team’s 2024 first-round selection in Chop Robinson. Robinson instantly stood out as a future star, racking up six sacks while totaling 14 quarterback hits and a 78.7 pass rush grade. Both Chubb and Phillips are back fully healthy this season, giving Miami one of the scariest pass-rushing trios in the game. Beyond those three, the Dolphins went out and signed four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon to a one-year, five-million-dollar deal to provide the team with even more star-studded depth. Judon had a down season in 2024 after being traded from the Patriots to the Falcons, totaling just five and a half sacks in 15 games.
In the Dolphins’ finale, Mike McDaniel decided to put his pass rush on full display against the Jaguars’ second-string offense. Right away, Chop Robinson made waves, getting right through Jacksonville’s offensive line to sack John Wolford. It seemed that every single play, the Dolphins applied pressure that forced Wolford to either use his feet or make a play. On Miami’s second drive, Bradley Chubb bulldozed through the line, accompanied by Jaelan Phillips, to sack Wolford, both being rewarded with half a sack. ESPN had the Dolphins’ edge group ranked eighth in the NFL, showing their true strength as a unit before the season.
Ollie Gordon Has Opened Many Eyes
The Miami Dolphins are already dealing with running back injuries; what’s new? De’Von Achane has been absent from practice for the last week while dealing with a calf injury, while backup RB Jaylen Wright deals with a leg injury that kept him out of Saturday’s contest. Ollie Gordon has received an unexpected role with the team after Alexander Mattison, another huge piece in the Dolphins’ rushing game, went down with a season-ending neck injury. Due to all the injuries, Gordon was granted reps with the first team in practice, taking snaps next to Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ first-string offensive line.
In the finale, Ollie Gordon again showed his explosiveness on rushes, playing through the entire first half with 43 yards on eight carries. With all three games being history, the Dolphins’ sixth-round pick totaled 174 yards with a touchdown during the first game, jumping out as Miami’s biggest surprise of the preseason. Gordon was supposed to serve as the Dolphins’ final option in the rushing room, providing the team with another power option, but he has now propelled himself into potentially seeing consistent rushes throughout the 2025 season.
Malik Washington Is Going to Have a Big Role This Year
The Dolphins have struck the jackpot. Malik Washington has what it takes to be a legit wide receiver in the NFL, and his training camp and preseason performances have proven this claim. The sixth-round pick in 2024 ran a 4.47 at the combine, joining Mike McDaniel’s speedy offense, giving Miami another potential gadget/slot wide receiver for Tua Tagovailoa to find in the middle of the field. With several injuries to the Dolphins’ receiving room in 2024, Washington was able to see some playing time, totaling 26 receptions for 223 yards while occasionally taking over kick return duties.
Washington had another solid stat line, totaling three receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown came to start the second quarter on a pass from Tagovailoa, who rolled out of the pocket to his left, finding Washington over the middle. Washington made a beautiful stutter step, escaping from three Jaguars defenders to reach the end zone untouched. There’s something all Dolphins fans can agree on from just watching Washington play: every time he touches the ball, his potential spills out. Washington will definitely be a name to watch this season when the Dolphins take the field every week.
