The Miami Dolphins are now just days away from the veterans re-joining a crowded rookie class for the start of 2026 training camp. Miami will have their first practice of the year on Wednesday of next week, ushering in a few era of the franchise.

And this summer’s camp is going to be intense. Expectations outside the building are low — but there are a great deal many positions that are up for grabs. Which are the most compelling to watch? Here are five position battles worth keeping an eye on.

The five biggest position battles to watch at Miami Dolphins training camp in 2026

Inside linebacker: Jacob Rodriguez (R) vs. Tyrel Dodson

The is the one for me. Because Tyrel Dodson is a competent starter. But Rodriguez was a player this team believed in so much, they tabbed him with their second-round draft choice despite some players available at positions of need.

Rodriguez is the future and the team just tabbed All-Pro Jordyn Brooks to be here long-term with a three-year extension. So let’s see what the young gun can do against Dodson this summer. There would be no better outcome for the Dolphins than for Rodriguez to beat Dodson out straight up for a starting spot — as it would affirm their belief in the linebacker out of Texas Tech.

Wide receiver: Literally everyone vs. everyone

Y’all seen ‘The Dark Knight’? You remember that scene where the Joker snaps the pool cue stick in half and tells those two poor chaps that they’re having ‘tryouts’ but only have one spot?

That’s kind of like the Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver battle. It’s dog eat dog. It’s going to be no-holds-barred. Anyone’s game! There’s not a lot promised to anyone in this room — although the Dolphins do have some guys who are probably leaders in the clubhouse. Third-year receiver Malik Washington is going to have every chance to crack the top of the depth chart. And he’s gotten a lot of reps with new quarterback Malik Willis this offseason. That includes time spent on their own.

But rookies (Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman Jr.) and veterans (Jalen Tolbert, TuTu Atwell) are going to clash all summer to seize an edge. We’ll probably miss out on rookie Chris Bell to start the season .

Cornerback: Ahem…literally everyone vs. everyone (except Chris Johnson)

Chris Johnson, you are dismissed.

But everyone else? It’s game on. JuJu Brents is probably the most gifted name also populating the room but he’s had durability issues since entering the league. He can ill-afford them now. He’ll face stiff competition from second-year defender Jason Marshall Jr. and a gaggle of Dolphins who have generally been special teamers to this point in their careers.

This battle could be less intense than it should be, too. The Miami Dolphins placed Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck on the PUP list (active) earlier this week. Too much time on side could pull them out of the competition to start the season.

Safety: Lonnie Johnson Jr. vs. Zayne Anderson vs. Michael Taaffe (R) vs. Louis Moore (R)

Dante Trader Jr. should be assumed as a starter. The other spot? I think Zayne Anderson has a big advantage in this hunt thanks to spending the last two years in Green Bay with Jeff Hafley. Communication on defense is paramount and Anderson has gotten 24 months of reps that these other guys ultimately don’t.

That’s going to be hard to overcome, at least at the start of the season. But there are a room full of players who are going to try. A pair of rookies could prove to be the ultimate wildcards — especially a player in Louis Moore (Indiana) who played at a high level last season. He went undrafted in part due to being a 25-year old rookie — but he was a first-team All-American last season and led the FBS in interceptions with 6.

De’Von Achane’s backup: Ollie Gordon II vs. Jaylen Wright

Speaking of ‘The Dark Knight’, what’s that line that Joker spits at Batman at the end? “You and I…are destined to do this forever.” Here we go again, gang. Jaylen Wright is going into Year 3, while Ollie Gordon II is entering his second season in Miami. But they find themselves in a familiar spot as last season and will duke it out for a chance to be star running back De’Von Achane’s primary backup.

I think there’s room for both of these guys to get touches, with Wright ideally being the guy who spells Achane and Gordon II being more of a specialized, situational player. But Ollie will have a chance to show growth in his game and, potentially, earn an even bigger slice of the pie.

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