Dolphins minicamp: QB Tua Tagovailoa has productive day, other observations and anecdotes from Day 1

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins had Day One of their mandatory three-day minicamp on Tuesday at the Baptist Health Training Complex.

Here are some observations, including those who participated in the roughly 90-minute session. By the way, much of what we saw as a media group, such as who was deep on kickoff returns, can’t be reported because it gives away strategy. 

— Coach Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins have 100% participation at minicamp but a few players didn’t participate in Tuesday’s practice for various reasons: edge rushers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles), left tackle Terron Armstead, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and  Odell Beckham Jr., linebacker David Long Jr., wide receiver Tahj Washington, center-guard Aaron Brewer, defensive tackle Teair Tart, running back Chris Brooks, defensive back Nik Needham, wide receiver Je’Quan Burton;

— Hill said he wants to retire as a Miami Dolphins player but still be paid as a Top 5 wide receiver in the NFL;

— Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the slimmed down version, went 11-for-12 passing on his first round of 7-on-7 drills. Tagovailoa, who, such as all of the quarterbacks, was wearing the helmet camera, was threading the needle on a few throws and overall looked comfortable with his new throwing motion, which features the “rubber band theory” of passing that involves more hip action;

— Phillips and Chubb didn’t walk with a noticeable limp, as opposed to the first round of OTAs (Organized Team Activities) last month. And, for what it’s worth, both players sported well-sculpted quadriceps;

— Armstead, at a glance, looked slimmed down and in great physical shape;

— Guard Rob Jones also looked slimmed down and in great physical shape;

— Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was on the field for a few snaps in 11-on-11 and looked to be in Pro Bowl form. No worries there;

— Cornerback Cam Smith, last year’s second-round pick, got a decent number of repetitions and seemed to have a good awareness when it came to playmaking, which was the case at this time last year. At one point Tuesday, veteran cornerbacks Ramsey and Kendall Fuller were seen counseling Smith;

— Running back De’Von Achane, who has added bulk via muscle, had a 7-yard touchdown reception from Tagovailoa on a wheel route early in 7-on-7s. The running backs had a fairly low-key day but they were productive;

— Tagovailoa had a touchdown pass over the middle to tight end Tanner Conner, who continues to show above-average athleticism. The tight ends, led by Durham Smythe but with solid contributions from Jonnu Smith and Jody Fortson, had a fruitful day as the tight ends showed impressive versatility;

— Wide receiver River Cracraft, the best blocker at his position, had an impressive juggling touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone. Cracraft, who had an  injury-shortened 2023 season, has a chance to be an impact player this season;

— Linebacker Anthony Walker batted down a pass thrown by quarterback Skylar Thompson, and cornerback Isaiah Johnson almost caught the ball out of the air. Overall, the linebackers were low-key, but they weren’t disappointing;

— Cornerback Siran Neal, known for his special teams acumen, had a PBU (Pass Broken Up) against Tagovailoa. Neal had a few impact plays from scrimmage;

— Veteran safety Elijah Campbell taught rookie wide receiver Malik Washington a lesson, perhaps unfairly, about ball security. Washington caught a pass and was jogging back to the huddle, ball loosely under his arm, when Campbell came by and poked it out. Always secure the ball while on the field;

— Wide receiver Braylon Sanders dropped a pass from Tagovailoa on what appeared to be a slant pattern;

— Rookie cornerback Jason Maitre had such good coverage on wide receiver Anthony Schwartz that he forced Tagovailoa into a checkdown;

— Tagovailoa had an excellent play in 11-on-11 in which he looked off the safety and then threw to tight end Hayden Rucci on a seam route for perhaps a 15-yard gain. It was an excellent example of defensive manipulation by Tagovailoa;

— Defensive tackle Zach Sieler, who had an active day, batted down a pass against quarterback Mike White. As expected, Sieler was the standout interior defensive lineman;

— Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle made a nice adjustment to come back to the ball on a sideline route, catching a pass thrown by Tagovailoa with Fuller in coverage; 

— We saw a variety of new blitz packages and defensive looks from new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. This should be an exciting year for a defense that finished No. 10 last season amid numerous injuries to key players;

— Brazilian soccer player Vinicius Junior, the superstar forward for Real Madrid, stopped by practice Tuesday. It was a big deal. Among those who greeted him and his entourage were general manager Chris Grier, coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Dan Marino and OBJ. 

— The Dolphins are on the field for minicamp practices again Wednesday and Thursday.