In the slot, Kelly Campbell, Derek Hagan, and special-teams whiz Wes Welker figure to all see time depending on the game situation and play role. Campbell is a bearer of devastating straight-line speed, and was used as a downfield weapon in Minnesota with Culpepper. Welker is a small but exciting receiver, using his skills as a kick and punt returner to elude defenders in underneath coverage. Hagan, a rookie, is tall and lanky and fast, and the Dolphins hope to develop him into another Moss-like weapon with Culpepper.
On the line at tight end, Randy McMichael has developed into one of the league's better tight ends, proving to be an excellent weapon underneath and across the middle, especially in the red zone.
While their depth was precariously thin at TE last year, the Dolphins now have three good players to choose from for what will likely be two positions. Justin Peele is more of a blocker than receiver, but he is a very good blocker and able enough underneath in the passing game. Keith Heinrich isn't as good a blocker as Peele, but he's no slouch and may be better as a receiver, especially with his taller frame. Teyo Johnson was a failure as a second-round pick for Oakland, but is trying to catch on in Miami as a second pass-catching option at TE and has worked hard all offseason to earn a roster spot.
Offensive Line: This unit was a mess for much of last year, but it looks to be stronger and deeper this season. There's a four-tackle battle going on for the two starting positions, with any two of L.J. Shelton, Vernon Carey, Damien McIntosh, and Mike Pearson figuring to win the spots.
The guard spots are a bit more concrete, with Jeno James and Seth McKinney sitting on top of the depth charts at left and right guard, although McKinney may be out for 2-3 months after surgery, likely putting former Bills and Ravens starter Bennie Anderson into the starting lineup. Rex Hadnot figures to start at center, where he enjoyed some fair bit of success last season.
Depth may be a concern, especially inside after McKinney's injury, but it may also not be as bad as it seems. Carey, a former first-rounder, has the ability to play inside at guard, and former starter Wade Smith can play all across the line, including at center. Rookie Joe Toledo, a former TE who made an excellent transition to tackle, has the bulk and athleticism to play inside in Mularkey's scheme. Having players with that type of flexibility along the line is always a boon for a team.
Defense
Defensive Line: In the Dolphins' hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense, flexibility is a huge key for defensive linemen, and their roster is built well for it. Pass-rushing ends Jason Taylor and Matt Roth both displayed a good ability to shift from 4-3 DE to a 3-4 OLB role last season, and players like Vonnie Holliday, David Bowens, Kevin Carter, and Jeff Zgonina also played rotational and moving roles as well along the line, switching in and out between DE in the 3-4 and a rotating role between DE and DT in the 4-3 front.
The only constant was Keith Traylor holding down the middle of the line as the team's full-time 3-4 nose tackle, and this year he figures to get help from undrafted rookie Steve Fifita, another big, wide-bodied DT who has impressed in camps in the nose tackle role.
Playing a flexible front is often very hard on defensive linemen, but head coach Nick Saban managed to get his personnel to do it very well last year and should figure to see even better production from them this year.
Linebacker: One problem with the Dolphins' hybrid defensive front is that it's very difficult to find linebackers who fit both the 4-3 and 3-4 defensive schemes, but they've done a good job of managing to do so. In the 4-3, Zach Thomas holds down the middle as he has so well for so long, and he should be typically flanked by Donnie Spragan on the weak side and 2005 rookie standout Channing Crowder on the strong side. When the defense shifts to a 3-4 front, Crowder will slide inside to support Thomas in the middle, and normal DE Jason Taylor will be blitzing from the weak side.
The 3-4 strong side position is a bit of an enigma this year, with Junior Seau no longer on the roster and Donnie Spragan having played so poorly in it last year and in camps this offseason. A possible solution would be to employ a rotation of normal DE Matt Roth, who has that attacking, hard-headed style often seen in true 3-4 strong side 'backers, and Sedrick Hodge, a former starter for the New Orleans Saints at the 4-3 strongside spot. A trade for Courtney Watson was supposed to fill that spot, but the trade fell through when the Dolphins' side of the trade, special-teams man and linebacker Eddie Moore, failed his physical with the Saints.
