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The Miami Dolphins are finishing up their time off this week, as rookies will report to the team's Baptist Health Training Complex next Tuesday, July 21, and the veterans will report a week later on July 28.
While the first few practices will begin without pads, we will eventually get a chance to see every position on the field in full competition as many jobs will be open for the Dolphins in their first year under Jeff Hafley.
Before we get there, let's discuss who we should be watching when camp actually kicks off. Today, we'll look at the defense, which is run by first-time NFL defensive coordinator Sean Duggan.
Grant, 22, was Miami's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft after a three-year stint at Michigan, where he earned All-Big Ten honors twice and All-American honors once and won a national championship. As a rookie, he appeared in 17 games and played 52% of the defensive snaps while recording 33 tackles, five quarterback hits, two sacks and one pass defensed.
The former Wolverine wasn't overly impressive for a first-round pick in 2025, so this will be an opportunity to see how he's improved heading into Year 2.
Uche, 27, played collegiately at Michigan from 2016-19, earning All-Big Ten honors once. The New England Patriots took him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, and he found some success with the team before they traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. He spent the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal.
Miami signed Uche to a one-year veteran minimum deal this offseason to compete for a top pass-rushing role opposite Chop Robinson. If he can separate himself in camp, he can be a starter and play a key role in 2026.
Rodriguez, 23, spent his first collegiate season at Virginia before transferring to Texas Tech for the last four years and really made a name for himself. He earned All-Big 12 honors the last two years and All-American honors in 2025, while filling up his trophy case with a Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarik Award and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Miami took Rodriguez in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, despite having proven veterans Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson penciled in as the starting duo. However, there's a strong chance that the Red Raider takes over the starting spot next to Brooks.
Johnson, 21, played for the San Diego State Aztecs over the last four seasons, earning All-Mountain West and All-American honors once. He was also named co-Defensive Player of the Year this past season.
Miami took Johnson with their second first-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft (No. 27 overall) with the lofty expectation that he'll be the team's top cornerback in 2026. This will be his first real chance to prove that he can be that.
Trader, 23, spent five seasons at Maryland from 2021-24 before the Dolphins took him in the fifth round (No. 155 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 17 games and played 39% of the team's defensive snaps and 60% of special teams snaps. He finished the year with 55 tackles, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Heading into 2026, Trader is in line to start at safety for Miami after the departures of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis this offseason. This is our chance to see if he's up to the task.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 1 Dolphins player to watch at each defensive position in training camp
Continue reading...
While the first few practices will begin without pads, we will eventually get a chance to see every position on the field in full competition as many jobs will be open for the Dolphins in their first year under Jeff Hafley.
Before we get there, let's discuss who we should be watching when camp actually kicks off. Today, we'll look at the defense, which is run by first-time NFL defensive coordinator Sean Duggan.
Defensive line: Kenneth Grant
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Grant, 22, was Miami's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft after a three-year stint at Michigan, where he earned All-Big Ten honors twice and All-American honors once and won a national championship. As a rookie, he appeared in 17 games and played 52% of the defensive snaps while recording 33 tackles, five quarterback hits, two sacks and one pass defensed.
The former Wolverine wasn't overly impressive for a first-round pick in 2025, so this will be an opportunity to see how he's improved heading into Year 2.
Edge rusher: Joshua Uche
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Uche, 27, played collegiately at Michigan from 2016-19, earning All-Big Ten honors once. The New England Patriots took him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, and he found some success with the team before they traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. He spent the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal.
Miami signed Uche to a one-year veteran minimum deal this offseason to compete for a top pass-rushing role opposite Chop Robinson. If he can separate himself in camp, he can be a starter and play a key role in 2026.
Linebacker: Jacob Rodriguez
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Rodriguez, 23, spent his first collegiate season at Virginia before transferring to Texas Tech for the last four years and really made a name for himself. He earned All-Big 12 honors the last two years and All-American honors in 2025, while filling up his trophy case with a Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarik Award and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Miami took Rodriguez in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, despite having proven veterans Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson penciled in as the starting duo. However, there's a strong chance that the Red Raider takes over the starting spot next to Brooks.
Cornerback: Chris Johnson
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Johnson, 21, played for the San Diego State Aztecs over the last four seasons, earning All-Mountain West and All-American honors once. He was also named co-Defensive Player of the Year this past season.
Miami took Johnson with their second first-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft (No. 27 overall) with the lofty expectation that he'll be the team's top cornerback in 2026. This will be his first real chance to prove that he can be that.
Safety: Dante Trader Jr.
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Trader, 23, spent five seasons at Maryland from 2021-24 before the Dolphins took him in the fifth round (No. 155 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 17 games and played 39% of the team's defensive snaps and 60% of special teams snaps. He finished the year with 55 tackles, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Heading into 2026, Trader is in line to start at safety for Miami after the departures of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis this offseason. This is our chance to see if he's up to the task.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: 1 Dolphins player to watch at each defensive position in training camp
Continue reading...
