Dolphins assistants answer on No. 3 receiver, left guard, tight end, backup QB, more

Dolphins offensive assistant coaches offered feedback, and a bit of clarity, on several ongoing competitions on Tuesday.

Among the realities that became clear: The Dolphins say they’re not sure what tight ends will be on the team beyond Durham Smythe; Braxton Berrios has impressed everyone in the battle for the No. 3 receiver job; and Isaiah Wynn left a favorable impression in his first-ever NFL start at guard on Saturday against Houston.

Here’s what the offensive assistants were saying on notable issues, as Miami prepares for its final preseason game on Saturday night in Jacksonville (7 p.m., CBS-4):

▪ Has Braxton Berrios emerged as the No. 3 receiver?

Receivers coach Wes Welker answered this way: “Everybody is still competing. Braxton has done a heck of a job, done some really good things: coming in and out of breaks, understanding the route concepts and everything like that.

“It’s still an open competition. Still trying to figure it out. Still a week left to evaluate and see who shows up on a consistent basis.”

Berrios thrives in the slot.

“He’s a smart player,” Welker said. “He’s one of those guys where you show it to him one time and he’s got it. You don’t have to revisit it over and over. That’s a great thing for a coaching staff for us to trust him and know he’s going to do the right thing by showing him one clip on film.

“He does a great job of being able to make those corrections. When you are undersized, your techniques have to be perfect. He’s done a great job of perfecting those techniques.”

▪ Asked if Robbie Chosen is battling to make the team (as opposed to definitely being on the team), Welker said: “I think everybody is. Nothing has been decided.”

Where is Chosen in terms of grasping the offense? “It is [difficult to learn the offensive language]. It does take time. He’s grasping it and has come along with it and he’s 100 percent in.”

▪ Erik Ezukanma continues to make a case in the battle with Chosen, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Berrios for receiver spots three through five.

“Erik is a freak,” Welker said. “He’s got a lot of ability and you see the flashes everywhere. He’s definitely doing some great things out there. It’s just the consistency of everything we’re talking about and continue to work on it.

“Young receivers in this league, it’s a different deal. They come from an offense in college where they didn’t really run routes. They ran a slant and a go. It’s more of a process than it’s ever been from college to the NFL at that position.”

▪ Receiver Jaylen Waddle hasn’t played or practiced in two weeks because of a mid-section injury but the Dolphins are optimistic he will be able to play at the Chargers in the Sept. 10 opener.

“It’s not ideal,” Welker said of Waddle missing extended practice time. “I’m not too worried about it. It’s more about his health and making sure he’s ready to go.”

▪ Quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell said the competition for the No. 2 quarterback job between Mike White and Skylar Thompson is “a neck and neck battle. I think both Skylar and Mike have done an outstanding job.”

White remains in concussion protocol.

▪ On the offensive line, the Dolphins were pleased with Wynn’s play at left guard against Houston. It was his first extended work at guard since he played at the University of Georgia.

“He’s doing a lot of good things,” offensive line coach Butch Barry said.

What would make him an effective left guard after playing four years at tackle for the Patriots? “He’s got good initial quickness,” Barry said. “He’s got good strength. It shows up that he has the ability to anchor the pocket when needed. That’s something we’re excited about.”

Liam Eichenberg, who started the opener before an injury limited him last week, returned to practice on Tuesday and remains Wynn’s primary competition. Lester Cotton is also competing at left guard but remains out with an undisclosed injury.

▪ Barring something unforeseen, Kendall Lamm is well positioned to the team’s No. 3 offensive tackle:

“He’s played both left and right,” Barry said. “He’s done a really good job. He brings his A game every day. This is his ninth season and he’s a really good pro. He understands how he has to play the game relative to his defender and the ball at all times and it shows up in his play in a consistent basis.”

▪ At tight end, coach Jon Embree said Durham Smythe “is the only one who’s got a position locked up. We’ll keep the competition going. [Rookie Julian Hill] has a lot of power…

“Eric Saubert has lower body injury. I don’t know how long he’ll be out officially.” He says he’s simply not sure yet if Elijah Higgins, the rookie sixth-round pick, will be able to help this season as he transitions from Stanford receiver to NFL tight end.

▪ Barry, on why the Dolphins believe Austin Jackson can get the job done at right tackle: “Because he’s a really good athlete. He’s tried to put his best foot forward every day in terms of what he’s doing. And he’s battling his tail off, to prove that, to prove that to everyone, right, that he is that guy.”

When Barry studied tape of Jackson during the offseason, he saw a player who was “very athletic. Just felt like we need to really hone in fundamentally, and exactly how we want to look and it’s not there yet. But I think the progress is going in that direction. That’s something that I’m excited about.”

NEWS NOTE

▪ As the Dolphins continue to explore the possibility of a pursuit of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert made clear he’s fine with whatever the team does.

“I’m not worried about another man coming in,” Mostert said. “I’m worried about perfecting my craft.”

He said Mike McDaniel gave him a heads-up last year when Miami brought in an undisclosed running back, and he suspects that if something got close with Taylor, “I’m assuming they would come to me and tell me.”

Taylor’s agent, Malki Kawa, has received permission to speak with teams about a trade. But the Colts reportedly want a first-round pick or something comparable in value.

Asked what he thinks of Taylor as a player, running backs coach Eric Studesville said: “He’s done a hell of a job so far he’s been in the NFL. He’s a really good player.”

Here’s an update on the Dolphins’ 15-plus injuries and notes on dozens of plays at practice on Tuesday.