Miami Dolphins training camp is in session across the entire league with athletes trying to prove their worth. Few of these players are considered sleepers — right on the bubble of a 53-man roster. This group usually consists of rookies, undrafted free agents, and veteran players who are still trying to prove a point.
In this case, the Miami Dolphins have a few of these sleepers in camp. Three specific young ones have made their mark and surprised many throughout the early days of training camp. Two of them barely made the roster last season, and one just started his first-ever training camp as a rookie. With pads officially on for the first time in nearly seven months, here are the surprising standouts.
Top Three Surprises Early In Dolphins’ Training Camp
Ethan Bonner Taking on First-String Receivers and Performing
Cornerback Ethan Bonner is not your typical defensive back. The 2023 undrafted rookie from Stanford has showcased confidence throughout camp. Bonner currently is in a tight position battle for the third-string spot at cornerback with Kader Kohou and Nik Needham. Many teammates said that Bonner has noticeably appeared different in his game and played with confidence throughout camp. Dolphins’ Pro Bowl wide receiver Jaylen Waddle gave praise to Bonner and titled him to be the most improved player so far in camp.
“Bonner probably has had the craziest jump from, I think, any player from last year, in my opinion,” Waddle said. “He just seems like a totally different player out there. He’s more patient at the line. Maybe it’s just a year under his belt, his patience, using his long arms — obviously, he knows he can run. He can play hip-to-hip with anyone.”
Cornerback Cam Smith left practice with medical staff in Sunday’s practice due to an apparent injury. Bonner took advantage of this and faced Miami’s star wide receivers, Waddle and Tyreek Hill. The 24-year-old corner didn’t take any of those reps for granted, he said. Bonner pressed well against them — an emphasis of development for him.
“At the end of the day, I just want to be the best player that I can be,” Bonner said. “I want to maximize my potential. I think I’ve gained a little confidence and I think I deserve to be here. At the end of the day, I do want to be on the field and I want to play.” Bonner appeared in three games last season late in the regular season. Despite the lack of experience, his stock at camp has racked up and Bonner could be a potential special teams player to make the cut. The one-year cornerback said his focus is at corner for now.
Julian Hill Deemed Strongest Tight End in the NFL by Teammate
Tight end Julian Hill has been all over the ball receiving so far through camp. In Monday’s practice, the 24-year-old snagged a one-handed grab by a ball thrown by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for a short gain. He quickly became a usual target for the first-string quarterback throughout the day. Hill made the 53-man roster last season as the first ever undrafted rookie to do so out of Campbell University. At Campbell, the 6-foot-4-inch offensive threat switched to tight end as a walk-on after he played at quarterback in high school. Now, fellow tight end Durham Smythe claims Hill is the “strongest tight end in the NFL”, he said.
“He’s the most physical player that I’ve ever played with,” Smythe said. “And he’s a professional. From day one, this is the main thing for him, and this is what he cares about. And that really sets a part rookies — especially undrafted free agents…really the sky is the limit for Julian (Hill).” Hill last season appeared in 15 games as a rookie. He tallied in six receptions for 48 yards. Hill was mostly used as a run-blocker on the edge, but his recent success in camp can persuade the coaching staff to use him more for receiving.
Jaylen Wright Getting Quality Reps With Mostert and Wilson Jr. Early
Rookie running back Jaylen Wright continued his explosive nature from his college days early so far through camp. The former Tennessee Volunteer saw a lot of reps in a run-happy practice Sunday. Wright was used alongside veteran running back Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.
The trio has seen the most reps as of yet in camp. Wright, in 11-on-11 work, ran the ball with decisive movement and speed in Sunday’s practice. An example of this was a handoff to the running back that followed with him cutting around the edge with certainty for a 12-yard gain.
Of course, it is too early to tell if Wright is a solidified third-string back with running back De’Von Achane on roster. However, it is too noticeable by Wright’s routine reps with first-team members that the rookie isn’t being considered early in camp. Potentially, this could mean he is a sure thing for the coaching staff when preseason football arrives.
Main Image: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
