Miami’s second preseason win over Detroit doubled as a spotlight for Miami’s depth players and a barometer of the rebuild on both sides of the ball. Ethan Robinson’s dramatic late-leap interception at the Lions’ 20-yard line capped a night in which backups got real reps and began to answer questions about the secondary and the back end. Zach Wilson looked more competent under pressure, while Quinn Ewers operated the second half with growing confidence, showing a clearer path to growth for Miami’s QB pipeline. Dee Eskridge and Tanner Conner supplied early pop at receiver/Tight End, and Kenneth Grant anchored the run defense for the Dolphins’ young defensive line. The result was a hopeful sign that Miami is building a more coherent unit as they approach the final roster decisions and, eventually, Week 1.

Since 2016, the Miami Dolphins have seen a disheartening 21% success rate from their fifth through seventh-round draft picks, with only six out of 29 making a significant impact. This year, six of eight drafted players are in those later rounds, sparking debate on their future contributions. However, undrafted rookie free agents B.J. Adams and Ethan Robinson are making waves during minicamp, presenting a potential avenue for success.

The Dolphins have been surprisingly quiet regarding cornerbacks in the draft, leaving the door open for Adams and Robinson to carve out roles. Their performances in practice have shown promise, with Adams showcasing man-to-man skills and Robinson demonstrating agility. With the absence of last year's starting cornerbacks and a need for fresh talent, both might secure roster spots. The outlook for late-round picks remains largely pessimistic, but it could shift for these two if they continue to impress.