Five questions for the Dolphins in their preseason opener against the Falcons

After 11 training camp practices, two of which were joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons this week, the Miami Dolphins will play in a real game for the first time in seven months.

Now, the players who will take the field for the majority of the game likely won’t resemble many of the names one will see during Miami’s regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10. But after three weeks of summer sessions, the Dolphins get to test their progress in a game setting and see how players respond as they vie for playing time and roster spots.

Here are five questions for the Dolphins ahead of their preseason opener.

Which starters play? And how much?

When asked on Tuesday whether he made a decision to play starters, head coach McDaniel said he had not. But even as the NFL has shifted from four preseason games to three, the first exhibition game is typically reserved for backups and bubble players. In McDaniel’s first preseason game as a coach last year, which also followed a pair of joint practices, a host of starters did not play, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, left tackle Terron Armstead and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

However, given the offense’s efforts to coalesce its offensive line and a new defensive scheme under Vic Fangio, certain starters could see the field for a few series. The team still has joint practices with the Houston Texans next week and two more preseason games, though, so don’t expect to see many headliners out there.

Does anyone distinguish themselves at left guard?

In the Dolphins’ initial depth chart, Liam Eichenberg was listed as the team’s starting left guard, which isn’t much of surprise. The team has given him every opportunity to show he can be a viable starter in his third season. But for the first time since training camp opened, the team officially acknowledged that they view new addition Isaiah Wynn as an option on the interior offensive line, listing him at left guard on the second team.

McDaniel on Wednesday said that he wouldn’t declare anything “concrete” as it pertains to the competition at left guard. But outside of the No. 3 wide receiver spot, this is the sole position battle in the spotlight on the offense. Eichenberg has struggled in camp, opening an opportunity for Wynn, or maybe a player like Robert Jones or Lester Cotton, to impress coaches.

What does Vic Fangio’s defense look like?

The Dolphins’ defense has made significant strides in practice as it implements Fangio’s scheme. But on Friday night, the unit will be tested in a real game for the first time. The defense could be light on projected starters, but it still will be interesting to see what — and how much — Fangio shows calling defensive plays in an NFL game for the first time since he was fired by the Denver Broncos toward the end of the 2021 season. Fangio also notably mentioned the team’s lack of depth, particularly at defensive line and safety. Friday is a good opportunity for several young players to make quality first impressions in the preseason opener.

Can the offense get out of its lull?

McDaniel has said he is pleased with the progress of his offense in Year 2 of his scheme. And while he said he doesn’t view practices through the lens of wins or losses, he’s acknowledged that the offense has been bested by the defense in multiple sessions. Pair that with the lack of explosive plays compared to last year and an up-and-down performance in joint practices, and you have what has been an uneven start to training camp for a group with high expectations.

If the Dolphins’ offense does put forth a good showing on Friday night, it will probably be with Mike White and Skylar Thompson leading the unit for most of the game; Tagovailoa likely won’t play much, if at all. White was listed ahead of Thompson on the initial depth chart but McDaniel said whoever plays first isn’t necessarily the current leader in the competition to back up Tagovailoa. Regardless, the first of three preseason games will be a major deciding factor on who gets the No. 2 spot.

How do the rookies look under the lights?

The Dolphins’ top two picks in the 2023 NFL Draft have given a lot for the franchise to be excited about in the first few weeks of camp. Cam Smith is one of the cornerbacks competing for a starting spot in the aftermath of Jalen Ramsey’s knee injury and has acquitted himself well as a first-year player. Running back De’Von Achane has been a do-it-all player for the Dolphins, drawing rave reviews from his teammates. Both figure to get a lot of playing time in their NFL debuts. Can they carry over their strong performances into their first professional game?