Jaguars @ Dolphins
Final Score: Dolphins 14, Jaguars 6
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
The Jaguars and Dolphins wrapped up their preseason with a defensive slugfest. Jacksonville opted to rest most of its starters, giving second- and third-string players a chance to battle for roster spots. The Jaguars’ offense struggled to find any rhythm for most of the afternoon, managing only a pair of second-quarter drives that led to field goals.
On the other side, Miami played much of its first-team offense in the first half, though it took a few possessions to settle in. The Dolphins looked shaky on their opening drives before eventually breaking through with a touchdown. In the second half, Miami’s offense flashed at times, highlighted by a touchdown drive to open the third quarter, but otherwise was kept in check by Jacksonville’s defense.
Three Up
- Ollie Gordon – The rookie running back looked great today in the game as the starter, with big runs and fantastic blocking.
- Malik Washington – The second-year receiver has performed well over the last two weeks, which could have put him in the driver’s seat as the third receiver in the offense.
- Tajh Washington – Another second-year receiver trying to secure a roster spot put in a solid outing, looking fast and twitchy on the field.
Three Down
- Theo Wease Jr. – After last week, we thought we’d see a chance for Wease Jr. to get more plays early in the game, but all his targets came in the fourth quarter.
- Seth Henigan – This may be Henigan’s last NFL game ever after another terrible performance with poor accuracy and pocket presence.
- Zach Wilson/Quinn Ewers – After a solid week 2, the 2nd and 3rd team offenses didn’t do much outside of a play or two—offense relying on the run and short passes.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
John Wolford: 3/5, 25 passing yards | 4 carries, 25 carries
Seth Heningan: 15/21, 77 passing yards, INT | 1 carry, 2 yards
The Jaguars quarterbacks in this game failed to impress whatsoever. John Wolford got the start, but as a passer he made little impact to warrant the team keeping a third quarterback. His rushing ability was the most eye-opening part of his performance, breaking off a few nice runs of 10+ yards. At best, he looks like a candidate for the practice squad.
Rookie Seth Heningan, meanwhile, delivered another rough outing. Nearly all of his completions came on short throws or screen passes. Anytime he tried to push the ball downfield, the results were ugly, with multiple overthrows to open receivers. His interception came on another poorly placed ball, thrown behind his target and into the arms of the defender.
Overall, neither quarterback did enough to make a strong case for the QB3 spot, leaving the Jaguars with little reason to carry an extra signal caller.
Running Back
Ja’Quinden Jackson: 8 carries, 47 rushing yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Kevin Harris: 7 carries, 25 rushing yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 17 yards
Unfortunately for both Jaguars running backs in this game, they remain buried behind four players who are likely locks to make the roster. Ja’Quinden Jackson drew the start and looked solid, showcasing good burst and power on his 8 carries. He also contributed in the passing game, making a couple of nice plays with the ball in his hands.
Jackson is most likely headed for the practice squad, but don’t be surprised if another team takes notice and scoops him up.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Austin Trammell: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 21 receiving yards | 2 carries, 17 yards
Veteran Austin Trammell did everything he could to strengthen his case for a roster spot. He saw extended playing time through the first three quarters and made an impact in a variety of ways. His first touch came on a jet sweep that went for solid yardage, showcasing his versatility within the offense.
As a receiver, Trammell flashed strong route running and the ability to separate from defenders, hauling in several nice catches. He nearly added another highlight grab on a well-run route, adjusting nicely to a throw from Heningan, but ultimately dropped what could have been a big play.
Trammell’s versatility and reliability give him a strong argument for a roster spot. If the Jaguars only keep five receivers, he’s the most likely candidate to claim the final spot.
Trenton Irwin: 2 targets
Trenton Irwin saw some action during the Jaguars’ first few drives but didn’t make much of an impact. His first target came on a bad pass from Wolford, and his second was the result of a poor route combined with a poorly timed throw.
Even with the quiet outing, Irwin still appears to be in strong position to make the roster if the Jaguars decide to keep six receivers. He projects as the WR5 or WR6 heading into the season.
Quintin Morris: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 18 receiving yards
Patrick Herbert: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 11 receiving yards
Dorian Singer: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 11 receiving yards | 1 carry, -2 yards
John Copenhaver: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 receiving yards
Darius Lassiter: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 receiving yards
Odds are that the rest of the Jaguars’ depth receivers will not make the 53-man roster, unless used solely for special teams purposes. None of them did much to pop off the screen this week.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 4/8, 49 passing yards, 1 TD
Tagovailoa started the first three drives of the game, and early on it was a rough showing for the Dolphins’ offense. On his first two drives, he was sacked twice in just six plays and faced constant pressure. He even had one ball knocked down at the line of scrimmage.
By the third drive, things settled down. Tagovailoa showed quick accuracy on short throws, allowing his receivers to work after the catch. His touchdown throw was a tough, on-the-run pass under pressure, aided by Malik Washington’s ability to turn on the jets after the catch.
While Tagovailoa showed flashes of his usual skill, concerns remain about the offensive line, which could be a lingering issue for the Dolphins this season.
Zach Wilson: 9/13, 80 passing yards | 1 carry, 3 yards
Wilson entered the game on the fourth drive after the first-team starters had left. He got off to a rough start, struggling with accuracy and taking a few sacks. In the second half, he settled down and made some solid throws, helping engineer a touchdown-scoring drive to open the half.
While he made a few nice throws during that drive, overall it was another uneven performance for the veteran quarterback. Wilson has done enough to remain the Dolphins’ backup for now, but his play does little to inspire confidence.
Quinn Ewers: 7/8, 66 passing yards
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers regressed compared to his stronger Week Two performance. He was inconsistent and took a few unnecessary sacks, though the offensive line struggled at times. He completed all but one of his attempts, but most were short throws on screen plays. His lone deep shot was a solid 21-yard connection that resulted in a big play.
Ewers is expected to make the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, as the coaching staff appears to like his potential. However, he hasn’t yet done enough to challenge Zach Wilson for the backup quarterback role.
Running Back
Ollie Gordon II : 8 carries, 43 rushing yards | 1 target
Rookie running back Ollie Gordon is making a strong case to be not just a contributor but a key part of the Dolphins’ offense in 2025. He played the entire first half, averaging over 5.0 yards per carry while running with both burst and power, consistently driving through defenders for extra yardage.
Gordon also saw a target in the passing game, though it was knocked down at the line of scrimmage. Additionally, he impressed with his blocking on third downs despite some struggles by the offensive line. This type of physical, versatile runner is something Miami has lacked in recent years, making Gordon a player to keep an eye on this season.
Mike Boone: 7 carries, 27 rushing yards, TD | 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Aaron Shampkin: 4 carries, 14 rushing yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards
Its hard to tell if the Dolphins would keept a fourth running back on the roster. Both back ups in this game made flashes in this game. Shampkin showed off some burst on a few of plays of 10 plus yards. Veteran Mike Boone would show some decent runs and was able to score the second touchdown of the game. Both could easily not make the 53 man roster but if the Dolphins were to keep another one due to recent injuries the versatility of Boone has the stronger chance to do so.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jaylen Waddle: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 receiving yards
Star receiver Jaylen Waddle played only the first few drives with the Dolphins’ starting offense. With the unit struggling to find rhythm early, he didn’t have much of an impact. His lone highlight came on a cleanly run route that found space in the defense for an 8-yard gain. Waddle’s day was cut short as expected, with the focus on keeping him fresh and ready for the regular season.
Malik Washington: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 41 receiving yards, 1 TD
Second-year receiver Malik Washington continued his strong preseason with another impressive outing. Playing with the first-team offense, he hauled in all three of his targets. He nearly added another 11-yard gain on a receiver screen, but the play was wiped out by a penalty.
His highlight came on a touchdown reception, where he turned a short catch into a 25-yard score by breaking a tackle and using his speed to burst upfield. Washington is firmly in the mix for the WR3 role and is making a strong case to be a key contributor in the Dolphins’ offense this season.
Dee Eskridge: 4 targets, 1 reception, 21 receiving yards
Veteran receiver Dee Eskridge turned in another flashy performance, highlighted by his lone reception on a slant route where he secured the ball and fought through contact for extra yards. He saw time with both the first- and second-team offenses before his night was done. One of his other targets sailed over his head, and he later had a drop after a defender knocked the ball loose.
Overall, Eskridge showed solid route running and speed, reinforcing his case for a roster spot. His added value in the return game makes him a strong candidate to crack the Dolphins’ 53-man roster.
Tahj Washington: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 30 receiving yards
Second-year receiver Tahj Washington made his case for a roster spot after the first-team offense exited the game. He showcased his two best traits — speed and twitchiness with the ball in his hands on multiple wide receiver screens that allowed him to create after the catch. His only missed opportunity came on a high pass from Zach Wilson that wasn’t catchable. Washington looks more than likely to claim the sixth and final receiver spot on the 53-man roster.
Theo Wease Jr.: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 19 receiving yards
Rookie standout Theo Wease Jr. saw his action come mostly in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter. He made the most of his three targets, starting with an impressive high-point grab on an out route despite tight coverage. He then finished the game with the Jaguars’ final two touches, including an eye-catching play on a short curl where he broke free from defenders and fought back for a first down. While Wease continues to flash potential, he remains a longshot to crack the 53-man roster at receiver.
Erik Ezukanma: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 25 receiving yards
Andrew Armstrong: 2 targets, 1 reception, 21 receiving yards
Chris Myarick: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards
Tanner Conner: 2 targets