Kelly: An examination of who is winning the position battles in Dolphins training camp

While there are some unknowns about the Miami Dolphins, there’s very little mystery about this team.

The Dolphins know who they are (a talented team with a finesse reputation).

They know what they want to be (a physical team that executes on a high level on both sides of the ball).

And they know the road to get there (finishing strong in December and January), and the challenges they’ll face (likely injuries since Miami has one of the oldest rosters in the NFL).

The biggest question that lingers is whether or not they have the talent to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs, and do battle with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, the AFC powers?

Plenty of that will come down to who steps up in training camp, especially when it comes to filling roster voids, addressing starting jobs and prominent roles.

Here’s an update on how some of those competitions are shaping up six practices into training camp.

Both starting guard spots: The expectation is that Isaiah Wynn will eventually be given the opportunity to retain his role as the starting left guard when he’s finally taken off the PUP. But since Wynn has missed a bunch of games in most of his NFL career Miami needs to be comfortable with option B, which appears to be Robert Jones. Jones has been camp’s top performing guard, but that’s not saying much considering everyone else has struggled against Miami’s defensive line so far in camp. Liam Eichenberg is the biggest mystery in the group. His practices have been inconsistent, opening the door for Jack Driscoll and others to snatch the starting right guard role.

Backup center: Eichenberg’s clearly the top backup center, and might be more consistent a snapper than Aaron Brewer, the free agent Miami signed this offseason to replace Connor Williams. Every center on the team has struggled snapping the ball except for Eichenberg. Andrew Meyers and Matthew Jones, two undrafted rookies, look like practice squad options. The Dolphins need to pay more emphasis on cross training Driscoll how to snap better just in case Eichenberg locks in the starting right guard role.

Both starting edge spots: Dolphins fans have their fingers crossed that Chop Robinson, the team’s first round pick, is ready to become a day one starter, and star. But based on his early showing in camp that seems to be a far-fetched dream. While Robinson’s first step is a game changer, and gives Miami’s offensive linemen troubles regularly, he’s easily blocked. And not just by offensive linemen. He’s been Metrorailed downfield by tight ends more than would be ideal, which raises concerns about his ability to set the edge. That’s why Emmanuel Ogbah and Quinton Bell, who have each been top 10 camp performers consistently, should be viewed as Miami’s starting edge rushers for now.

Starting tight end: Jonnu Smith was expected to push Durham Smythe for playing time, and the starting role, but Smith has practiced every other day because of an injury he’s been nursing since Miami’s spring work. That means this will likely be Smythe’s show once again, with Smith having specially designed plays called for him. But expect Miami’s two tight end package to be this team’s base offense, especially while Odell Beckham Jr. works his way back from whatever injury got him placed on the PUP.

Starting nose tackle: Teair Tart and Benito Jones have had quiet camps, which isn’t a bad thing considering Miami’s nose tackles typically face two blockers, the Dolphins have only had two padded practice, and rarely run in practice. We’ll probably have to wait till the exhibition season to see which nose tackle can anchor the defensive front of this 3-4 scheme.

Five technique end: Zach Sieler is a lock to start for the Dolphins if he’s healthy, and then it seems as if Miami’s banking on Calais Campbell, a 17-year veteran, anchoring the other side of Miami’s 3-4 front. But Campbell practices every other day as part of a load management program the 37-year-old has been put on. In his absence Da’Shawn Hand has out shined Neville Gallimore and Jonathan Harris. And the player who has surprisingly made some noise in camp has been Isaiah Mack, who wins his 1-on-1 battle regularly.

Third cornerback: Let’s be clear, there’s a distinction that’s needed when it comes to the nickel cornerback, who will likely be Kader Kohou, and the third cornerback. The nickel is the cornerback who defends the slot receivers of the NFL. Kohou’s the front runner there, with Nik Needham as his only competition right now. The third cornerback comes into the game if something happens to Jalen Ramsey and or Kendall Fuller, who is also on a maintenance program. Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner and Nik Needham are the main contenders for that role, and even if Smith was fully healthy, and he’s not, Bonner should be viewed as a leader because of how consistent he is every practice. There’s clearly something there the Dolphins should invest in because he’s earned the respect of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who each acknowledge he helps them get better daily.