A to Z Sports

Stock up, stock down for the Miami Dolphins after second preseason game against Washington Commanders

By Craig Smith,

2 days ago

The Miami Dolphins prevailed over the Washington Commanders 13-6 on Saturday night in Hard Rock Stadium.

Mike McDaniel played a number of starters, but several key players were out, either by coach's decision or for injury-related reasons. Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead, Jalen Ramsey, Jaylen Waddle, Aaron Brewer, and Jordan Poyer were all among those who did not play. However, there was plenty to see, including Tua Tagovailoa's first action of the preseason. The Dolphins' defense also performed very well, particularly in the secondary.

Here's who's stock is rising (and a few who's falling) after the Dolphins' second preseason game.

Stock up

The secondary depth

I think Miami is going to be perhaps better than they've been in years if guys go down. Cam Smith had a nice game before he left with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Storm Duck is playing like a guy who really wants a roster spot. Siran Neal had a nice pass breakup for a second straight week after a big game against Atlanta. Jordan Colbert had a forced fumble that was recovered by Patrick McMorris. A lot of plays made from the reserves on Saturday night. No small reason the Dolphins held the Commanders to six points.

River Cracraft

If there was much question about Cracraft being the WR3 on this team right now, there isn't much of a question anymore. He and Tua Tagovailoa were clearly on the same page from the start, grabbing a quick-hit seam pattern for 16 yards on the offense's first play. He also reached up and grabbed a pretty ball from Tua for a 13-yard touchdown.

Chris Brooks

Brooks had a nifty 59-yard run where he burst up the middle, slid around a defender, and broke for the end zone. He got tripped up by a hair by a defender, and a stumbled and fell 10 yards short of the end zone. On a day where plays were few and far between, that one stood out. As perhaps the Dolphins' most physical back, he showed with that run that he's more than just a bulldozer. Can't hurt his chances for the final RB spot on the roster.

The Dolphins' two rookie edge rushers

Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara both made impact plays in the first half. It wasn't all perfect, as Robinson had a couple of moments with Jayden Daniels in the game that left something to be desired, particularly in the run game. However, they showed why the Dolphins believe they can help them out very quickly. Robinson showed incredible burst to meet Commanders RB Michael Wiley at the handoff and drop him. Kamara beat the tackle with an inside move and registered a sack in the red zone for a seven-yard loss late in the first half to thwart a drive.

Encouraging stuff from the young bucks.

Stock down

The backup quarterback spot

Seriously, does ANYONE want to win this competition? For the second straight week, neither quarterback could engineer a touchdown drive. Skylar Thompson was pedestrian and almost had a touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios, but it was tipped at the last second. Mike White started 4 of 5 passing and drove the Dolphins inside the red zone, connecting with Erik Ezukanma for a 35-yard gain on the drive. However, a sack/fumble killed the drive, and White's performance went straight downhill from there.

The duo combined for 19/35 for 177 yards. This just simply isn't NFL-level play from these two, even at the backup level.

The Dolphins' starting interior offensive line

I use starting somewhat loosely since that's still up in the air, but the starting trio of Robert Jones, Liam Eichenberg, and Lester Cotton didn't exactly acquit themselves wonderfully in the first quarter for the Dolphins. Miami's struggles in short yardage showed up, as Miami had a hard time pushing against a Washington defensive line that was without starting DTs Da'Ron Payne and Jonathan Allen to gain one yard, which they barely did on fourth down.

Later, Jack Driscoll made a nice block at right guard to spring Brooks on his 59-yard run. One has to wonder if Driscoll is starting to play himself into the conversation for starting consideration. Regardless, it's a further indictment of the current options that that's the case.