The Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons are schedule to begin the first of two joint practices this week in South Florida ahead of their Friday night preseason opener.  

The Dolphins have a number of questions to answer across their roster, and those questions got even louder at some key spots following the release of the team's first official depth chart Tuesday morning. 

As such, there are some intriguing positional battles that will continue to take shape as the Dolphins face an opponent for the first time since January.  Here are five to watch. 

5) Miami's defensive front against Atlanta's offensive line

The Dolphins' defensive front is undoubtedly one of the team's strengths, and it will be put to the test this week by the Atlanta offensive line.  Arthur Smith's offensive philosophy is pound, pound, pound, and pound the ball some more.  The Falcons were one of the few teams last year to run the ball more than they passed it. 

The Falcons have three returning starting linemen with Pro Football Focus grades north of 77, with second-team All-Pro RG Chris Lindstrom earning a ridiculous 95.0 mark. They are physical and will give Miami's front a look at one of the toughest lines they'll face in 2023. 

4) Miami's linebackers vs. Atlanta's running backs

The Atlanta run game will feature star rookie RB Bijan Robinson and talented 2022 newcomer Tyler Allgeier.  Both are tough, punishing backs who are tough to tackle.  

The Dolphins have Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard, and Austin Ekeler on the schedule this year, so tackling and understanding assignments in run support in Vic Fangio's new defense are going to be important.  Robinson is just a rookie, but he may already be of that caliber.  Miami's linebackers will need to get him on the ground when they have the chance, or he can run a very long way if he gets loose. 

3) Miami's cornerbacks vs. WR Drake London

Atlanta's #1 receiver, London, is a big target.  At 6'4", 213 pounds, he has the athleticism and size to make catches anywhere on the field, and against anyone. 

The Dolphins' cornerbacks won't be asked to jam him and cover him one-on-one as much as they would have last year, but there will still be plenty of opportunities for one-on-one matchups throughout the week.  Who in the Dolphins crowded will impress in those chances more often? 

2) Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones vs. Kyle Pitts

The second unique challenge that the Falcons provide after their running attack is one of the most athletic tight ends in Pitts.  Between injury and gross misuse by the Falcons' coaching staff, Pitts has yet to live up the lofty expectations he inherited when was drafted with the fourth overall pick of the 2020 draft.  

He will give Miami a challenge in the deep middle of the field.  Vic Fangio's defense will typically set up in a two-high safety look, so Holland and Jones could end up seeing a healthy dose of Pitts in passing situations this week.  Holland is soaring towards legitimate star status, so he and Pitts could be a very fun matchup to watch. 

1) Liam Eichenberg and Isaiah Wynn vs. Atlanta's defensive line

The primary question for Miami's offense is still their offensive line, and that question still clearly focuses on the left guard position.  Eichenberg is LG1 on the team's first depth chart, but his hold on that position is extremely tenuous. 

Atlanta signed NT David Onyemata in March, who was very good in New Orleans.  He will start alongside long-time productive DE Grady Jarrett to provide the Falcons with a solid, physical one-two punch on their front.  It will provide a good challenge for the first round of Eichenberg vs. Wynn for the team's starting LG position. 

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It might be just the first week of the preseason, but it will be one of just three opportunities for Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier, and the Miami staff to evaluate where their fringe starters are at, and determine whether they are as good as they think they are at other areas. 

And it gives fans the opportunity to judge for themselves, starting on Friday night. 

Featured image via JEFF ROMANCE/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK