Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley offered a clearer picture of where a few key players stand as Miami works through the early stages of camp.
Third-round receiver Chris Bell remains on the PUP/NFI list, but Hafley said he “is in a good spot” even though there’s still no timetable for full clearance. He also suggested cornerbacks Storm Duck and Darrell Baker are more likely to be midseason returns, while tackle Austin Jackson has already been fully cleared to practice. Running back De’Von Achane, meanwhile, is ready to roll after offseason shoulder surgery.
In New England, the focus has shifted to Drake Maye’s growing comfort with the pieces around him, and one name keeps coming up: Christian Gonzalez. Even with contract talks ongoing, Maye made it clear he sees the cornerback’s attention staying where it belongs.
“I think that shows his main focus, and that’s football,” Maye said, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “He’s the best corner in the league, in my opinion.
He’s not a big rah-rah guy, he does it his own way, but he does it at the highest level, so I’m glad to be his teammate. We’re around the same age, and I tell him . . .
Gonzo is someone I look up to, even as the same age. I look up to how he does things.
How he handles himself.”
Maye also sounded energized about the Patriots’ new center, Jared Wilson, saying the two have clicked quickly. He praised Wilson’s intelligence and the way he’s already embracing the demands of the position.
“ He’s real smart, ” Maye said, via ESPN. “ I wanted him to play with me in college, but he went to the SEC; I don’t blame him.
I think he’s done a great job of understanding what comes with playing center. You’ve got to be loud.
You’ve got to be ‘me and you, it’s our show. ‘”
Vrabel, too, laid out what the Patriots expect from Wilson in that role. The center, he said, has to be the one who sees the picture quickly, gets the offense lined up, and keeps the communication flowing across the line.
“ The unspoken communication - to be able to see it quickly and see it the same, whether that’s pressure or a defensive front. To be able to set the defense or get us into the right play, ” Vrabel said.
“ The center is the conduit to the rest of the offensive line. When the quarterback needs to get something to the line, the center is the easiest way to get it, and his communication to everybody else has to be great.
We’re looking forward to seeing Jared in that transition and working with Drake. ”
Maye closed by talking about another new face in the building, DeAndre Hopkins, who is considering a future in coaching. For Maye, the chance to be around a player he grew up watching has already made an impression.
“ I’m from the South, and he went to Clemson, which is two hours down the road. That’s my era of watching college football, and seeing him in the NFL, having him on my fantasy team - it’s cool to shake his hand, and his hands are twice as big as mine, ” Maye said. “ Just having him be out here, a legendary player to share some information, it’s awesome.”
In Other News...
Willie Gay Jr. May Force Dolphins Into A Tough Decision
Willie Gay Jr. has spent training camp and the preseason making a case that he belongs in the Dolphins linebacker mix, even though the room already looks crowded. Miami has Jordyn Brooks, Jacob Rodriguez, Kyle Louis and Tyrel Dodson in the group, and that depth has made every snap matter for a player trying to carve out a role after a limited defensive workload last season.
Gay has helped his cause with strong practices and a preseason interception returned for a touchdown, the kind of play that reminds a staff why it liked him in the first place. But the Dolphins have also invested in younger pieces, and with the linebacker room looking deeper than most, they may have to decide whether keeping Gay is the best use of a roster spot or whether his value is higher somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Rookies Are Already Putting Veteran Roles In Real Danger
Miamis 2026 rookie class is already forcing some hard conversations in the building, even before the pads come on for real. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan brought in 13 newcomers, but the attention is centered on a handful who could matter right away, especially on defense where a young linebacker and a versatile coverage piece are both being viewed as potential answers to real roster needs.
Jacob Rodriguez is the most intriguing name in that mix, with his background and draft status giving him a chance to climb fast if he handles the transition cleanly. Kyle Louis adds another layer because of the different ways he can be deployed in coverage, and that kind of flexibility tends to matter when a staff is sorting out roles. The bigger question now is how quickly those rookie evaluations turn into actual decisions, because the veterans around them are not exactly standing on solid ground. [Read more 🡒]
De'Von Achane Just Sent A Bold Message About Miami's New Identity
De'Von Achane is back on the practice field after dealing with offseason shoulder issues, and the timing matters for a Dolphins offense trying to reshape itself. Miami has spent the offseason talking about a more physical approach, one built around the run game and the strength up front, which is a notable shift for a team that has leaned so heavily on speed and space in recent years.
Achane has been one of the clearest believers in where this is headed, pointing to Bobby Slowiks arrival and the expected increase in rushing attempts as reasons for his confidence. For Miami, the bigger question is whether this new identity can hold up over a full season, and whether the backfield can turn that optimism into something defenses have to account for every week. [Read more 🡒]