5 winners from the Miami Dolphins’ preseason loss to the New York Giants
The Miami Dolphins didn’t win their preseason matchup against the New York Giants, but these five players won leverage on the battle for the 53-man roster.
The Miami Dolphins offense was quiet for most of Saturday night’s 26-3 loss to the New York Giants. The defense spent most of the night backed up into their own territory. Special teams caught a tough draw at the end of the game, too — with a muffed punt in the final two minutes.
The team, collectively, struggled. But some individual performers helped their case for the 53-man roster when cuts roll around next week. Here are five individual players whose efforts this weekend boosted their outlook to make the Miami Dolphins’ final roster.
Five winners from the Miami Dolphins’ 26-3 preseason loss to the New York Giants
LB Jackson Woodard
Woodard was hard to miss. Despite some shaky play in front of him along the defensive line, he was a tackle machine early and proved to be quite pesky in pursuit. His night included a fumble recovery (on a dropped ball). Woodard’s flashed all throughout camp, but he faces the challenge of a loaded linebacker room. I’m not sure it will be enough to make the 53-man roster, but he’s making every case that he can.
OL Josh Priebe
The most notable development for Priebe on Saturday night may have been the last handful of reps in a game that was already well decided. He lined up at center. Priebe has offered flashes against bottom-of-the-roster names thus far in camp. Getting positional flexibility would be a major boost his argument to land on the 53-man roster. The main competition standing in his way there is Andrew Meyer, a holdover pet project from the last regime.
WR Kevin Coleman Jr.
There was just a handful of big plays offensively for Miami. The best one came from Coleman Jr., who elevated on a fade from the slot to win a contested throw downfield. The fifth-round rookie was quiet for part of training camp after getting dinged up at practice. He’s back in the fray and should be considered a viable contender for meaningful playing time at wide receiver.
DL Keith Cooper Jr.
Jeff Hafley’s comments on Cooper Jr. on Sunday say it all.
“This guy has gotten better and better. He is a guy that, in my opinion, has made one of the biggest jumps from where he started to where he is right now. He played that way last night too, and we played him on the inside, we played him on the outside, and I’m really proud of him,” said Hafley.
Cooper Jr.’s ability to play as a big end on the outside paired with some interior appeal makes him hard to dismiss as a possible 53-man sleeper.
CB Alex Austin
Austin was among the highest snap-takers on defense on Saturday night. I thought he played well in his individual assignments despite splitting time as both a nickel defender and an outside corner. It’s a ‘more you can do’ league, so it’s not a coincidence amid Miami’s roster battles that position versatility is showing up as a theme in the winners this weekend. Austin is firmly in the mix for a cornerback spot, and Saturday night helped his case.
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