What undrafted rookie could make Dolphins? Exploring. And safety, guard tight end notes

A six-pack of Dolphins notes on a Thursday:

▪ Seemingly every year, undrafted rookies seize roster spots, from those who impress throughout camp (Kader Kohou last season) to those who show just enough tantalizing skills to make the Dolphins reluctant to risking losing them on waivers (Tanner Conner last season).

While no undrafted rookie has emerged as a near lock for a roster spot, a few have made a case, led by UM rookie edge player Mitchell Agude.

“The skill set he has is very intriguing to us overall,” Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik said. “That’s why we were excited to get him in here in this situation. There are certainly things that can translate into being an effective rusher.

“Mitchell is a very explosive player, eager to learn and fun to work with because he’s so long and he has that explosiveness that is easy to transfer at this level. He’s getting more opportunities, getting better every day. It’s been a pleasant experience with him.”

Agude had another sack on Wednesday and at least a handful in training camp after multiple sacks in OTAs.

But Agude is not a lock for the 53, not my any means. He needs to play well in preseason games. He’s at a loaded position, with Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel, Emmanuel Ogbah (who’s playing more as a standup outside linebacker) and veteran Malik Reed, who has experience with Vic Fangio in Denver.

Among the other undrafted rookies, Brandon Pili’s chances of sticking on the 53 seemed to diminish at least somewhat when Miami signed veteran Da’Shawn Hand, but Pili rebounded with strong work against the Falcons. The Pili/Hand battle is a competitive one and one that should go on for awhile.

Keep an eye on linebacker Aubrey Miller, who has flashed in camp, but would need to beat out 2022 third-round pick Channing Tindall.

Edge player Garrett Nelson, from Nebraska, has an outside shot to make the 53 but needs to be great the next three weeks to have any chance. Tight end Julian Hill seems worth developing, but he’s more likely to be on the practice squad.

Cornerback Keidron Smith, given $135,000 guaranteed by the Dolphins after the draft, has been beaten on several deep balls in camp and seems unlikely to make the 53, though he had an interception against Atlanta on Wednesday.

There are two undrafted players who aren’t rookies who have made a case for the 53: Jaylen Twyman, the 299-pound defensive tackle who had two sacks in the scrimmage and a bunch of other notable plays recently; and Josias Bronson, who has had a good camp.

Both were undrafted in 2021, Twyman from Pittsburgh, Bronson from Washington. Both face long odds to make the 53, but their work in training camp gives him at least a chance.

So whether any undrafted rookie makes the 53 is very much in question. But Agude has turned enough heads to have an opportunity to make a real case in preseason games.

▪ Second-year edge player Cameron Goode, a seventh round pick in 2022, also has had a solid camp, getting pressure on the quarterback, though he had a quiet two days against Atlanta.

“With Cam, one of the biggest things is another year at the position,” Slowik said. “He was a swing guy at the position, played inside and outside. The game kind of slows down in year two, so he’s understanding how to use his hands and put his skills to work.”

▪ Though a lot could change, I make Isaiah Wynn a slight front-runner over Liam Eichenberg at left guard, though that could easily change. And I make Kendall Lamm a front runner over Cedric Ogbuehi for the No. 3 tackle job, because Lamm seems better at left tackle.

Because Terron Armstead has never played a full season, backup left tackle is the second most important backup job on the team (behind quarterback) among positions where the starters play all of the snaps.

“We have two really good veteran players that have played a lot of football,” offensive line coach Butch Barry when asked about Lamm and Ogbuehi. “We’ve got some younger players were trying to develop. They bring impact there too.”

▪ Fangio has said the Dolphins are looking for a No. 2 safety to emerge, but the reality is that DeShon Elliott and Brandon Jones seem likely to split time at the position – if Jones is ready to play after being brought along cautiously after last October’s ACL injury.

Elliott has battled a shoulder injury this offseason but practiced against Atlanta. Jones continues to be limited to a dozen or so team practice snaps a day as he works his way back from the knee injury.

Miami needs both to be fully healthy.

New safeties coach Joe Kasper praised Elliott’s “physical tools and his familiarity within the scheme, seeing some of what he was able to accomplish in Detroit, being able to relate to routes with his eyes.”

Elijah Campbell looks like the No. 4 safety at the moment, but it’s a competitive battle with Trill Williams and Verone McKinley III.

▪ Julian Hill, the rookie tight end from Campbell, has flashed in camp and caught a touchdown in red zone drills on Wednesday. But he appears more likely to be on the practice squad than the 53. He hasn’t made as many flash plays as Tanner Conner did in camp last year. Conner remains on PUP.

“The thing that jumped out at me when I watched [Hill’s] target tape was how well he transitions,” tight ends coach John Embree said. “We are big about YAC – run after the catch, being physical. All that stuff showed up on tape with him. That’s the first thing that attracted my attention to him.

“You can tell he has a lot of power and strength to his body. When we hit the sled, you can really feel it. He’s got a lot of good stuff in him. Now it’s a matter of me trying to get it out of him and him continuing to trend in the right direction. He’s had a very good camp. I’m excited to see him against Atlanta and Houston.”

▪ Quick stuff: Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said new punter Jake Bailey - the former Patriot - has “done outstanding. He’s been everything we hoped he would be.” ...

Cornerbacks coach Sam Madison said the Dolphins will “take our time” with Nik Needham as he works back from a torn Achilles in October. He has been spotted running on the sidelines. “He’s been here all offseason, handled it very well,” Madison said. “So I’m proud of him.”...

CBS-4 will carry Friday’s Falcons-at-Dolphins preseason game live at 7 p.m., and NFL Network will replay it nationally at 4 a.m. Saturday morning.