MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins saw good things from their young players in Sunday’s 20-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it should give them reason to feel reasonably good about their future. Among Sunday’s 22 starters for the Dolphins, nine, almost half, were rookies, second- and third-year players.
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick, threw two touchdown passes and no interceptions in his second start. Rookie defensive tackle Zeek Biggers, another seventh-round pick, blocked a field goal attempt. Rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr., a fifth-round pick, had an interception. Rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., who was undrafted, had a 63-yard touchdown reception.
In fact, you could say the young players, including Pro Bowl third-year running back De’Von Achane (112 yards from scrimmage), second-year left tackle Patrick Paul and second-year running back Jaylen Wright (56 yards rushing on five carries), were a big reason why the Dolphins (7-9) came away with the victory in the home finale.
And you could further say that the Dolphins’ future looks a bit brighter with the youngsters, starting with the 2025 draft class, being the foundation.
“I think we’ve been heavily reliant upon the rookie class,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “It was very calculated, the types of people that we brought in for the reasons of needing to be able to be professional football players at the NFL level.”
The rookies and young players have been getting better as the season progresses.
On one side of the ball rookie defensive tackle Jordan Phillips shows leadership and awareness beyond his years when he sprints onto the field before the first possession of every game. He does so to honor and respect those who have come before him.
“It’s all about taking the field the right way,” said Phillips, the fifth-round pick from Maryland who might be the team’s Rookie of the Year with his 15 starts, 401 snaps (42 percent) and 29 tackles.
“It’s been many legends that came before me to take this field. Every time I take the field, I do it for the organization, do it for my teammates, for my coaches. You’ve got to have the right mentality. No walking onto the field.”
On the other side of the field you have a rookie quarterback who dares to challenge veterans before the game by telling them to remember their “why,” meaning why they play the game.
“I told these guys today, we’ve got to play for something bigger than ourselves because you end up playing better,” Ewers said. “I told them to think back on their why, even including myself, just to get fired up and ready to go because like you said, we’re not playing for the playoffs.”
Six of the Dolphins’ eight 2025 draftees have made a start this season. Four or five of the rookie draftees project to be starters next season — defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, Phillips, safety Dante Trader Jr., another fifth-round pick, and perhaps Ewers.
Running back Ollie Gordon II, a sixth-round pick, could find a role as a short-yardage back.
This is the part where I must mention that perhaps former general manager Chris Grier, who deserved to lose his job in October, kinda, sorta knew what he was doing in putting together this year’s draft. And maybe he knew what he was doing in assembling this year’s offensive line, the group that has led to the resurgent running game and Achane’s Pro Bowl berth.
But let’s not digress. Let’s move forward.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Rookies have good day vs. Bucs; will it carry over to next season? | VIDEO
The Dolphins hadn’t previously had a good draft class in the McDaniel era. The 2022-24 classes were marked by disappointment, a low number of picks, and a lack of success as rookies.
The Dolphins’ 2025 draft class has a chance to be different. This class, despite having six of its eight members selected in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, has quality and depth. It doesn’t display much star power right now, but it has playmaking ability, and that’s an irreplaceable quality in the NFL.
“It’s a game-changing play,” Biggers said. “We won by three points, so that could have been very different if I didn’t block that. I’m just grateful that I blocked that play and I’m living life. I’m happy.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) takes the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers speaks to the media after Miami’s win over the Buccaneers on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) walks off the field after a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs off the field after a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis (21) runs off the field after intercepting a pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6), Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis (21) gets up after intercepting a pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6), Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Quinton Bell (56) grabs but cannot bring down Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6), Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Quinton Bell (56) pursues Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6), Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebackers Bradley Chubb (2) and Jordyn Brooks (20) celebrate a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter of a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked and fumbles in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) runs for a first down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) celebrates after running for a first down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) walks off the field holding his ribs during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (85) celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a pass over Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis (21), Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) is brought down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) after catching his own deflected pass, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (5) runs for a first down past Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (3), Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) calls a defensive play as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) prepares for the snap, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) rolls out to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich (85) scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (81) scores a touchdown past Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31), Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) prepares to take the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) and running back De’Von Achane (28) take the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel takes the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins interim general manager Champ Kelly is seen before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan arrives early for a matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) speaks with quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) embraces quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) visit prior to a game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Show Caption
1 of 30
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) takes the field before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)