Dolphins offensive coaches dish on the young players. And updates on Beckham, guard battle

For the Dolphins’ young, developing players on offense, results have been a mixed bag so far in training camp, with more encouraging than discouraging developments.

For rookie running back Jaylen Wright, there have been flashes of the speed that tantalized Miami during the draft process. For left tackle Patrick Paul, there have been signs of the traits that appealed to Miami, mixed with some false starts. For Erik Ezukanma, there has been another undisclosed injury after an unremarkable first week of camp.

Dolphins offensive coaches shared thoughts on the young players and other issues on Thursday:

▪ Running backs coach Eric Studesville said Wright, the rookie fourth-rounder, “has shown some burst a couple times, not just once or twice, but a couple times we’ve seen some burst in his ability to run. Now we have to make sure we get it to fit within the parameters of our offense. He’s been great in the classroom, working his tail off. He’s doing great right now.”

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said Wright “is always working. I mean, I see him here all the time. He’s there all summer every day.”

Not every Wright touch is going for a sizable gain. Curtis Bolton and Teiar Tart tackled him near the line of scrimmage on two rushes on Thursday.

▪ Rookie second round left tackle Patrick Paul, who has been getting lots of practice reps while Terron Armstead sits out 11 on 11 drills, “has done a really good job,” offensive line coach Butch Barry said. “The progress he’s made from phase 2 of offseason to now is in a really good place. I love where it’s going.”

Kendall Lamm still projects as the team’s No. 3 tackle, but Paul has had some moments and Lamm struggled badly Thursday.

How long will it take Paul to get everything down? “A long time,” Barry said. “You don’t have to have it all figured out to play on the field. There has to be a point where yes, you have enough awareness.”

Asked what would quantify a good training camp for Paul, Barry said: “Number one, understanding fundamentally how we want to approach a pass block…Second, the run game… How do I attack defenders? I think that’s a great training camp. Is it based upon production, results? No. At some point, we all know that matters but not for training camp at this point.”

▪ Ezukanma, trying to win a roster spot in his third year, is out again with an undisclosed injury after missing most of last season with a neck injury. His first week of camp featured nothing especially impressive.

Asked if the light has gone on for Ezukanma, receivers coach Wes Welker - often expansive in his comments - was brief. “It’s still early in camp. We will see how all of that kind of pans out. We will see where he’s at when we get him back out there and go from there.”

▪ Second-year running back De’Von Achane has had a good camp; on Thursday, he wore the orange jersey bestowed on the player who was the standout from the previous practice.

“I feel like he’s a little bit bigger,” Studesville said. “I feel like he’s a little stronger. Yeah, muscular maybe. How’s it gonna help his game? I don’t know. He’s a more physical player probably than I thought coming out. Got great balance contact. He’s got great speed. Durability wise is probably the area where that could potentially help.”

▪Third-year tight end Tanner Conner has made several nice catches in camp, outplaying former Chiefs player Jody Fortson.

“He’s had a good spring and he’s carried it over,” tight ends coach Jon Embree said of Conner. “He’s done things he’s done for us in the past. It’s just he’s been hurt and hasn’t really had a chance to show it.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Barry declined to give a timetable on Isaiah Wynn’s return from last October’s quadriceps injury. Wynn is on the physically unable to perform list and hasn’t practiced in camp.

Would Barry feel comfortable inserting Wynn into the starting lineup in Week 1 if he hasn’t practiced much?

“Based upon those practices, I would have to evaluate at that point,” Barry said. “I’m trying to forecast what those practices will be, which I can’t do. We are working through a timetable [for Wynn’s return]. I don’t know exactly when it’s going to be.”

▪ At least until Wynn returns, Rob Jones, Liam Eichenberg and Jack Driscoll are competing for two starting guard spots.

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith and Barry said Jones has been “great” so far in camp. “I love where he’s at,” Barry said.

And what about Eichenberg and Driscoll?

“Both guys have shown versatility,” Barry said. “Both guys can play a lot of positions. Both guys are doing a really good job at guard.”

▪ Aaron Brewer allowed six sacks, among the most in the league for centers, while playing for Tennessee last season. Has Barry identified areas on tape that can help Brewer become better at pass protection?

“Absolutely. In every phase of his game, we can make him a better run blocker, we can make him a better pass blocker.”

▪ Welker discussed the advantages of pairing Odell Beckham Jr., who is running well but remains on PUP, in a lineup with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

“If they want to double Jaylen and Tyreek, having that third option of a guy that can separate and win for us and move the sticks,” Welker said. “The way the league is becoming now, you have to be able to play the slot and outside. All three of those guys can do both. It opens up what we can do.”

Welker said Beckham “has been working his tail off trying to get back out there. When we see him, we see him. We’ll try to build from there, making sure his body is right and mind is right.”

▪ Welker said of new receiver Willie Snead IV, who was signed on Wednesday: “I’ve been a big fan of Willie for a long time. As far as slot play and being able to get edges and be able to separate and get open, he’s been fun to watch over the years.”

▪ Waddle caught a 43-yard touchdown from Tagovailoa late in Thursday’s practice, beating Jalen Ramsey.

Smith said Waddle is “getting better at his releases, what he’s trying to do at the top of the route.”

▪ Several Dolphins weren’t seen at practice: running back Salvon Ahmed, cornerback Cam Smith, linebacker Anthony Walker, safety Jordan Poyer, Ezukanma, tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive lineman Neville Gallimore.