Washington Commanders @ Miami Dolphins
Final Score: Dolphins 13 – Commanders 6
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp on Twitter)
Down in sunny Florida, we saw the Commanders take on the Dolphins in a Week 2 preseason game. We saw some of the first-team offenses get more playing time in. The Commanders showed off Jayden Daniels as he adjusts to the NFL level, while Miami backups fought to make their case to make the 53-man roster.
Three Up
- Tua Tagovailoa – Tua would play in the first series of the game and play perfectly. He would lead the only touchdown drive of the game.
- Dyami Brown– The Commanders receiver seems like a lock with the first-team offense. He also had three catches on the night.
- De’Von Achane – Achane got a chance to show his receiving ability in the offense.
Three Down
- Chris Rodriquez Jr. – He seems to be losing his RB3 spot on the roster by not playing until the third quarter of the game.
- Mike White – He played with the third-team offense. He isn’t a lock to be Tua’s backup in 2024.
- Braxton Berrios – He dropped a wide-open touchdown.
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Jayden Daniels: 10/12, 78 yards | 2 carries, 13 yards
Daniels was decisive in this game, throwing a bunch of quick passes on his first read. He didn’t stand and wait in the pocket for plays to develop. He had one play where he saw a heavy pass rush and he panicked and threw the ball early for an incompletion, but he could have moved in the pocket to find Terry McLaurin open on the sideline. He wasn’t as explosive as in week one, but he looked solid overall. He would play two drives, and that would be the night. Many of his passes were short, and his receivers produced after the catch, helping his passing yardage for the night.
Jeff Driskel: 11/15, 82 yards, 4 carries, 45 yards
Driskel got a chance to run with the second team with Marcus Mariota not playing in this game. Driskel’s highlight of his game was a 40-yard run on this first play. Driskel has shown mobility throughout his career, and his rushing stats could have been even better since he was given a negative six-yard rush on a play where the running back took the ball. Unlike Daniels, Driskel took shots deep, but most were unsuccessful. Driskel is a solid QB3 for a team.
Running Back
Brian Robinson Jr.: 3 carries, 22 yards
Robinson played ten snaps with the first-team offense. He would play the majority of the first series, with Ekeler only coming in for one snap, which was a third and long. Robinson tallied two 11-yard carries in the first two plays of the second series to wrap up his night. He looked solid, showing some tackle-breaking ability and short area speed to get up the field, and also picked up his blocks on passing plays.
Austin Ekeler: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
After watching this game, Ekeler seems more like the 1B than the 1A in the offense. He played only one snap on the first series on a third and long. His time would come on in the second series, playing seven of the nine snaps on that drive. He did have a six-yard run, but it was called back on a holding penalty. Ekeler was part of many option plays that would result in a pass. Ekeler’s one catch would gain four yards with his speed.
Chris Rodriquez Jr.: 1 carry, 3 yards
Jeremy McNichols: 3 carries, 3 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
Chris Rodriquez Jr. was expected to be the team’s third running back, but this game didn’t show that. Jeremy McNichols was next up after Robinson and Ekeler were done for the night. McNichols didn’t show much production during this time in the offense. He was solid in pass blocking during his time on the field. Rodriquez even played behind undrafted rookie Michael Wiley in this game. Outside of his three-yard run, he would only play one series in the third quarter. He would show decent pass blocking on that series.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Terry McLaurin: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards
McLaurin looked solid in this game, recording two catches on the night, including a 20-yard reception. Both passes were short, but McLaurin broke a tackle for an additional 15-yard gain. Daniels did miss him on a play deep downfield. If Daniels hadn’t rushed the throw, he might have gotten McLaurin along the sideline for a big play. McLaurin only played the two series with the first-team offense.
Jahan Dotson: 2 targets, 1 reception, 3 yards
Dotson was strictly playing in the slot in this game. He would come off plays in 12 personnel, keeping McLaurin and Dyami Brown on the field. His one catch was a short dump-off pass behind the line of scrimmage. Dotson would play more than McLaurin, playing slightly with the second-team offense. I’m concerned, but Dotson isn’t as locked as he should be in the offense.
Dyami Brown: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 19 yards
This was an interesting night from Brown. He would only play nine plays, all with the first-team offense. He did not play once the team switched over to the second unit. He had three catches in this game, all on short passes, but two felt like design plays to get him the ball. Brown may be someone we are sleeping on in this offense.
Luke McCaffrey: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards
McCaffrey was the next receiver up with the second-team offense, but he didn’t play with the first-team offense in this game. He had a big play in the second quarter for 20 yards. It was a tough catch, forcing him to jump high to reel it in. He consistently showed great route running and footwork during the game to create separation from the defense. He also took several snaps in the slot in this game.
Ben Sinnott: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
Rookie Ben Sinnott got a mix of first and second team work in this game with Zach Ertz absent. He split work with John Bates as a tight end. When the offense went to one tight end, it was Bates on the field over Sinnott. Bates is a solid blocker, which makes sense why he saw plenty of snaps in the first and second-team offense. His one target went for 10 yards, showing off his toughness by taking on three or four Dolphins to gain more yards.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovialoa: 5/5, 51 yards. 1 TD
Tua came out looking great without his top three pass-catchers in the game. The high-octane Dolphins offense seemed in sync with quick passes all game. He threw a beautiful over-the-shoulder touchdown on fourth and two to River Cracraft. Even in his most pressing situation, Tua stayed focused and got the ball off with a defender in his face. He would only play the first series before his night was over.
Skylar Thompson: 8/15, 61 yards
Skylar Thompson got his chance with the second-team offense. He wasn’t great, but he wasn’t terrible either. Thompson would miss his first three attempts before going 8 for 12 the rest of the way. His deep passes were not that good for most of the game. He would drop a dime along the sideline to Achane for a big play. His best play of the day was his almost a touchdown, during which he escaped the pocket and extended the play hitting Braxton Berrios for a wide-open would-be touchdown that was dropped. He didn’t do enough to secure the backup job, so we’ll have to go into next week.
Mike White: 11/20, 116 yards | 2 carries, -1 yards, 2 fumbles (1 lost)
Mike White played with the third-team offense in this game. His passing numbers looked better, and he hit some nice throws downfield. He showed more of the ability to connect deep in the offense. He did have two fumbles that cost him one as a turnover. White was getting pressured all game with the poor offensive line that the Dolphins have. He got sacked three times in this game.
Running Back
Rasheem Mostert: 5 carries, 7 yards
Mostert got the start for the Dolphins in this game. He would get the first three carries before Achane could touch the ball. Mostert wouldn’t do much on five carries. He would help get a first down on a fourth and inches play. He should remain the primary ball carrier for the Dolphins offense.
De’Von Achane: 2 carries, 10 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 34 yards
Achane’s first touch came on the seventh play of the first series. Achane would continue to play with the second-team offense into the second quarter. His rushing was mediocre, with two carries up the middle. His receiving game was something to watch on the night. Achane got a solid pickup lining up wide for a wide-open catch. This second catch was in the same series where he took a dump-off for eight yards. His other target was a bad pass from Skylar Thompson that could have gotten him hurt. Achane will undoubtedly be used all over this Dolphins offense in 2024 and remains a high-upside pick for fantasy.
Chris Brooks: 5 carries, 63 yards | 1 target, 1 reception 9 yards
Chris Brooks got the opportunity to showcase his talent with Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson, and Salvon Ahmed out for this game. He would start playing late in the second quarter after Achane was done for the night. His lone reception was a solid nine yards after he broke a tackle off the catch. Most of Brooks’ carries were not great, as he didn’t show much burst on plays. He did have a 59-yard carry that had a wide-open hole up the right side for him to make the game’s biggest play. Two plays after the 59-yard play, he would end up getting hurt and not playing the rest of the game. Brooks may still have not done enough to make this roster.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
River Cracraft: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 29 yards, 1 TD
With the Dolphins’ top receivers sitting in this game, River Cracraft is taking his opportunities to make this team. Cracraft has flashed as a reliable target for the Dolphins but dealt with injuries last year. He caught an impressive over-the-shoulder touchdown on the first drive of the series. It looks like he’ll have a solid chance to be the WR4 for this team or at least the WR5 for the Dolphins. He only played the first series with the first-team offense.
Jonnu Smith: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 23 yards
Jonnu Smith was another player that Tua targeted in the first series. He would play the first half of the game, and then his night was done. He caught all four of his targets in this game, tallying 14 yards with the first-team offense. He showed off his versatility with a motion cross catch from Tua to gain five solid yards. His best play would be a 10-yard catch from Skylar Thompson in the second quarter. He is the team’s top pass-catching tight end.
Erik Ezukanma: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 65 yards | 1 carry, 6 yards
The team’s best-receiving player of the day was Erik Ezukanma. Unfortunately, Ezukanma would primarily play with the third-team offense in the second half of the game. His one carry for six yards was impressive as it looked like a six-yard loss, but it ended up being a six-yard gain with his ability to switch the field. He had two big plays downfield, showing his ability to beat zone coverage. He did struggle a little bit when a physical corner pressed him, but overall was used in different ways on the field, showing his versatility. Ezukanma needed a game like this to help bolster his case to make the 53-man roster.
Malik Washington: 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards | 6 K/P returns, 55 yards
Rookie Malik Washington didn’t help himself out much in this game. He had one catch for four yards. He mostly played with the first and second-team offense. He was half a step away from making a big catch downfield in the second quarter. After half-time, Washington was the primary return man after Braxton Berrios. He would have five punt returns for 35 yards. Washington is going to need to show something more to make this roster. He could end up as the primary return man in 2024.
Braxton Berrios: 2 targets, 0 receptions | 2 returns 41 yards
Berrios had two solid kick return attempts in this game. He would play only in the first half on offense and special teams. Berrios had one target that never got close to him. His second target was a dropped touchdown on an extended play with no defender. If Berrios is going to make this roster, he didn’t do himself any favors in this game. He is on the roster bubble right now.