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Miami Dolphins mandatory minicamp: 5 things we're watching

MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins are holding a three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, June 2-Thursday, June 4 and media is expected to attend.

Full pads and live tackling are strictly prohibited. Players are allowed to wear helmets as well as protective knee and elbow pads. While 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted, they must be played at a non-contact pace.

Total team activities cannot exceed 10 hours a day. On-field work is capped at 3.5 hours per day, with practice sessions themselves maxing out at 2.5 hours.

Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley is not putting too much stress on these spring sessions, as the focus is on learning the scheme and techniques.

"When anyone asks me right now, anyone being truthful to you, being truthful to anyone in our building, being truthful to my wife – who really doesn't ask me a lot of these questions but maybe she could – how are the guys doing?" Hafley said. "I mean, yeah, I think they're doing a good job in the setting that we're putting them in, but eventually when the helmet and shoulder pads come on, we'll find out who can make those plays, which ultimately the game is about."

We'll learn much more about the team in training camp, which begins in July.

But there are clues that can be gleaned by media folks at these sessions.

5 things we're watching at Dolphins mandatory minicamp

Malik Willis touch, leadership

In very limited action viewed by reporters, Malik Willis has demonstrated a strong arm and quick whipping throwing motion.

Willis needs time to develop rhythm and timing with a new group of receivers. We've seen some overthrows. But, hey, that beats underthrows.

Miami and Willis have a plan for him to ease into a leadership role. We'll be watching.

Caleb Douglas, wide receivers

Caleb Douglas is an intriguing rookie option. He needs to develop strength and ball-catching consistency.

Who emerges from the receiver pack? Malik Washington seems to be a given. Jalen Tolbert? Kevin Coleman? Tutu Atwell? Terrace Marshall? This is a thin group.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas speaks to reporters.

Chris Johnson, defensive backs

The Dolphins posted a video of rookie cornerback Chris Johnson intercepting a pass at a recent practice.

Johnson carries himself with confidence and has the skillset required to be a good cornerback in the NFL right away.

Who from this young group flashes in the minicamp will be telling: corners JuJu Brents and Ethan Bonner and safeties Dante Trader, Michael Taaffe and Louis Moore.

Greg Dulcich & Will Kacmarek

Greg Dulcich could lead Dolphins receivers in targets though we might put our money on Malik Washington at the moment.

Expect Malik Willis to use his tight ends and running backs on a lot of short passes this season. And Dulcich is capable of some longer gainers down the seam, too.

Kacmarek, a rookie, is a key blocker but he's shown decent hands on a few early plays.

Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks

Aaron Brewer was absent from the last voluntary OTA open to the media.

Brewer, seeking a new deal, is required to be present for this minicamp. How much will be participate? Full participation? Brewer wants to be in Miami long-term.

Brewer once worked with Malik Willis with the Tennessee Titans from 2022-2023. So they have had some extra center-quarterback exchange reps in the bank.

Jordyn Brooks is also seeking a new contract. He has been a very active leader in the sessions open to media. Brooks is a full-throttle player.

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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Malik Willis, Caleb Douglas, Chris Johnson: Dolphins minicamp focus

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