It’s Just OTAs

It’s Just OTAs

The past few weeks of OTAs, including a mandatory minicamp, should not be viewed as anything but a learning experience/orientation for the rookies, a warm-up and/or prove-yourself for the veterans, and, of course, a “let’s get psyched up” for the fans.

It is simply a no-pads-shorts drill, with guys just playing what resembles a glorified flag football game.

There are feel-good stories for some of the rookies, undrafted free agents, as well as veteran players wanting to prove themselves yet again.

But until training camp begins in late July, with practices in pads and contact allowed, we will not be able to determine how the 2026 Miami Dolphins roster is shaping up.

I foresee that the 2026 rookie class, comprising 13 players, will have a significant opportunity to either start or, at a minimum, contribute to the team.

And some of the veterans who signed one-year deals will also have an opportunity to contribute.

General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will also be scouring the waiver wires for players released by other teams who could potentially play a role on the 2026 roster.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the three themes of OTAs I laid out in my opening.

1) A learning experience for rookies:

As any of us does when learning about a new job in a foreign location, we start out feeling somewhat unfamiliar with our surroundings.

Despite the practice limitations of OTAs, several names were mentioned by the South Florida beat writers who attended some of the practices.

Kadyn Proctor, an outstanding offensive line prospect from Alabama, was mentioned numerous times for his athleticism, strength, and massive size.

Observers repeatedly commented that he looked very much in shape, dispelling the doubters who questioned Proctor’s weight.

Chris Johnson, a cornerback from San Diego State, has already been penciled in as one of the starting corners despite only a few observed practices, justifying why the Dolphins moved up to pick 27 in the 2026 NFL draft.

2) A “prove it” year/warm-up for the veterans:

Two players often mentioned by the media and Dolphins writers as standing out in OTAs are third-year offensive tackle Patrick Paul and second-year defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.

While judging players from the trenches in practice without pads is nearly impossible, you can still watch for their aggressiveness and quickness in drills.

Stating an oxymoron, maybe former GM Chris Grier may have gotten these picks right.

3) Let’s get psyched up, Dolphin fans:

Although the 2026 Miami Dolphins are not expected to win more than 5 games at best (my early prediction), it doesn’t mean we don’t get excited at this time of year.

We get to see videos of our players in practice, relish every successful pass play and interception, and begin to count the days until the start of training camp.