After a two-week road trip, the Cleveland Browns are gearing up to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 7.
Cleveland is finally past the most difficult stretch of its 2025 schedule, which included several of the NFL’s best rosters. Now, they fortunately take on a tamer opponent when they need it most — the Miami Dolphins. Opposing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami offense have struggled with consistency lately, which could present a great opportunity for the Browns. The team’s offense also desperately needs to find consistency, and this Sunday offers a great chance for quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Browns to do just that.
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The Browns’ defense also needs to rediscover its rhythm after a poor performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Along with a poor record, the Dolphins also enter this game having committed the third-most interceptions in the NFL. Hopefully, that, combined with Cleveland’s motivation to perform better, will be enough for a strong showing this Sunday.
Now, let’s take a look at the five Miami Dolphins players the Browns must focus on in Week 7:
WR Jaylen Waddle
Oct 12, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) catches a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
With the loss of playmaker Tyreek Hill for the remainder of the 2025 season, pass-catching duties primarily fall on speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The Browns have recently struggled to defend opposing teams’ top wide receivers and cannot afford to do so again when facing Waddle this weekend. In the last two weeks, they’ve surrendered a combined 218 receiving yards to DK Metcalf and Justin Jefferson.
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The Browns’ secondary is still adjusting to the loss of cornerback Greg Newsome II and the addition of new defender Tyson Campbell. While they were struggling beforehand, losing Newsome II didn’t immediately help this group. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is known to make some critical, game-changing mistakes, but it’s up to the Browns’ secondary to capitalize on those opportunities when they present themselves.
LB Jordyn Brooks
Oct 12, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) tackles Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (30) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Miami’s top defender so far in 2025 has been elite linebacker Jordyn Brooks. He currently leads all NFL defenders with 66 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks. He also ranks 16th among all linebackers with a 74.2 PFF pass-rush grade, which could spell trouble against an injury-riddled Browns offensive line. Hopefully, they’ll do what no other team has been able to do so far — limit his potential impact on the Browns’ offense.
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The Browns’ offense desperately needs to get its run game back on track after an abysmal showing in Pittsburgh last Sunday. The talented Steelers defense was able to shut down the Browns’ top playmaker, Quinshon Judkins, something they cannot allow to happen against the Dolphins. Cleveland’s interior offensive line will need to be on the lookout for Brooks blitzing the pocket and disrupting both the pass and run early in Week 7.
QB Tua Tagovailoa
Oct 12, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) passes the football against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Despite struggling through much of the 2025 season, the Browns can’t afford to take quarterback Tua Tagovailoa lightly. While he’s ranked third in the league in interceptions, he’s also tied for sixth with 11 passing touchdowns. If the Browns can generate a strong pass rush, they could force Tua into some poor decision-making and errant throws early and often. We saw how quickly his three interceptions got the Dolphins into trouble against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.
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Cleveland’s defensive front is eager to get into the backfield after its Week 6 performance against the Steelers. The Browns managed zero sacks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers and also allowed a season-high 147 rushing yards. The team knows how much its defense relies on disruption, and getting to Tua is the key to forcing Dolphins dysfunction.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) tackles Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Now in his second stint with the Dolphins, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is off to another solid start this season. The three-time First-Team All-Pro currently ranks tenth among all safeties with a 79.6 overall PFF grade. He’s also 18th out of 141 safeties with 26 solo tackles. Needless to say, he could easily pose a problem for Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel in Week 7, especially without starting tight end David Njoku.
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has remained consistent in calling short-yardage plays regardless of situation, which helps avoid Fitzpatrick but limits offensive explosiveness. While it may not be wise to test their limits against Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins’ secondary, the Browns also can’t afford to remain completely conservative. Hopefully, Gabriel can make some highlight plays while avoiding Miami’s top defender in the secondary.
RB De’Von Achane
Sep 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Miami Dolphins running back DeVon Achane (28) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
The heart of the Dolphins’ rushing attack lies with De’Von Achane. This season, Achane has taken over as Miami’s starting running back and currently ranks 12th in the NFL with 390 rushing yards. He hasn’t shown the same explosiveness that first earned him national attention, but that’s still not a test the Browns should take lightly this Sunday.
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Cleveland’s defensive line is coming off its worst performance of the 2025 season, allowing 100 rushing yards to the Steelers and failing to record a sack. Giving Achane the same kind of running room Pittsburgh enjoyed in Week 6 could quickly turn into a nightmare for the Browns. They’ll need to do all they can to eliminate Miami’s rushing attack early and shut down Achane.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Five Dolphins Players the Browns need to lock on in Week 7