Five Dolphins Players to Watch in Preseason Matchup vs. Jaguars

Five Dolphins Players to Watch in Preseason Matchup vs. Jaguars

The Dolphins will play their final preseason game against the Jaguars on Saturday. Mike McDaniel has announced that starters will participate, so it’s safe to assume that it will serve as a dress rehearsal before the regular season begins. With that said, here are five players to look out for in the final exhibition game:

Jonah Savaiinaea

The Dolphins’ second-round pick had a dreadful 8.3 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade against the Lions. While PFF grades are ultimately just someone’s opinion, and not the end-all, be-all of player evaluation, after reviewing each snap from Savaiinaea’s performance, it’s clear that while the grade may have been harsh, it wasn’t far off. He whiffed on blocks and was pushed back into the quarterback when left alone against interior defensive linemen. If Miami’s offensive line is going to be successful in 2025, it will require more from the rookie guard.

Jason Marshall Jr

Perhaps the most interesting storyline to emerge from training camp is the rise of Marshall in the nickel cornerback role. The fifth-round rookie didn’t play the position in college or in the first few weeks of training camp, but recently began working as a slot cornerback and held his own against Detroit. Mike Hilton is currently slated to start at nickel, but a strong finish to camp from Marshall could turn this storyline into a legitimate position battle.

Ollie Gordon

Last week, I mentioned Gordon had a shot at more playing time following Alexander Mattison’s injury. Now, everyone seems to be aboard the Gordon hype train. I’m somewhere in the middle. I like his physicality, but I also see areas for improvement, and a few big runs have inflated his stats. Still, the Dolphins opted not to trade for Brian Robinson, whom they were linked to, and injuries to Jaylen Wright and De’Von Achane have opened the door for Gordon. Getting some reps with the starting unit in this game could help him carve out a role during the regular season.

Malik Washington

Washington’s spot on the roster is safe. He stepped up late last season and replaced the underwhelming Odell Beckham Jr. as the team’s third receiver. In the preseason opener, we saw a glimpse of Washington alongside quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and their chemistry seemed promising. That was just one drive, though, and this game could reveal more about Washington’s potential role. One silver lining of Tyreek Hill’s oblique injury might be the opportunity to develop the Tua-Malik connection further.

Cam Smith

Smith makes this list for the second straight week after a surprisingly solid outing against Detroit. The talent has been evident since college, but consistency and off-field maturity have been question marks. This is a rare scenario: Smith could either start or fail to make the 53-man roster. With Ethan Bonner now out due to injury and the cornerback room thinning, this may be Smith’s golden opportunity.