Five Dolphins players facing a crucial window as 2025 training camp battles intensify and roster spots hang in the balance

Cornerback Cam Smith

It's put up or shut up time for third-year cornerback Cam Smith. Smith comes with a second-round draft pedigree and plenty of natural athleticism. But his first two seasons with the Dolphins were marred by questions about his maturity and injuries — leaving him getting lapped by undrafted rookies such as Ethan Bonner (2023) and Storm Duck (2024). The Dolphins challenged Smith to grow up this offseason — general manager Chris Grier told the media they told Smith they "couldn't hold his hand and wait for him anymore."

They're still waiting. Even amid the injuries to cornerbacks, Smith is having quiet practice after quiet practice. At some point, your draft background is going to run out of grace. Smith appears to be nearing that point.

Offensive Lineman Larry Borom

The Dolphins didn't invest a ton into Borom in free agency this offseason, giving him a one-year, $2.5 million contract. But that deal was fully guaranteed, which means the team foresees him being on the roster. Borom has struggled mostly with the pass protection elements of the job thus far, which makes him a tough evaluation. He's likely better served inside at guard — his NFL film suggests as much, too. But the Dolphins have been intent on keeping him collecting reps on the edge.

With a little luck, Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson will keep Borom on the bench this season. His forecast for the 53-man is fairly safe — but if Borom is going to be the swing tackle insurance Miami needs, he needs to settle in a little more against the tough group of edge rushers he's practicing against in Miami.

Cornerback Storm Duck

Duck is facing a different kind of pressure. After collecting snaps in 2024, Duck has the inside track to take the role that's now vacated by Kader Kohou's injury. It's probably safe to assume that newly signed corners Jack Jones and Mike Hilton will play prominent roles this season if healthy, but that other spot could come down to whether or not Duck can inspire the Dolphins to avoid going back out to free agency once again. If Duck survives the early (wait for it) storm amid the Kohou injury, it could bode well that he's got a chance to separate from the pack and become the other outside corner.

Tight End Julian Hill

You get the sense that the Dolphins want to believe in Hill as a third-year undrafted free agent. He's been asked to play meaningful snaps in each of the last two years and helped the Dolphins to pull the cord on former veteran Durham Smythe. Hill's play in 2024 was bogged down by injuries early in the year and then some frustrating lapses in execution late in the year.

As a result, Miami has hedged his status with veteran Pharaoh Brown and just held court with free agent tight end Noah Fant on a visit due to "mutual interest". Hill, needs to start proving the Dolphins' interest in him to be well placed sooner rather than later or else risk seeing his opportunities start to slip away and go to new faces.

EDGE Mohamed Kamara

Kamara was a fifth-round draft choice by the Dolphins in the 2024 NFL Draft. He endured an uneventful rookie season despite a flurry of injuries and a retirement on the eve of camp to the EDGE room. Kamara, entering into year two, is now looking up at Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, and Quinton Bell while trying to secure a roster spot.

The Dolphins boast more linebacker depth this year, including versatile defender Willie Gay — who could take snaps on the edge as well. Kamara's a compact, powerful frame but lacks ideal length to create separation at contact. He's going to need to need to find some splash plays and more disruption to help force his way into the conversation and rotation.

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