Miami’s 24-17 win in Detroit capped a bold week of growth for a Dolphins squad that spent 11 days in the Midwest. The trip yielded cohesion more than consensus, as undrafted corners and backups pressed the competition, and a late game interception by Ethan Robinson underscored progress in the secondary. Zach Wilson’s second preseason outing looked steadier, and the rookie third-string fluttered with a pair of touchdowns from Quinn Ewers-like play (chemistry with Wease) against Lions depth. Miami now eyes Jacksonville for one final warmup and keeps a tighter grip on the roster battles ahead.

Key fantasy angles: Tua Tagovailoa’s Week 2/3 joint-practice arc showed the offense can reset after setbacks, while Wilson stabilized the backup role with a TD to Eskridge and limited turnovers. On the ground, Ollie Gordon II’s emergence hints at a later-depth RB fight, and the rookie Kenneth Grant chased pocket pressure for Miami. In the secondary, Storm Duck and a retooled nickel role (Mike Hilton) are shaping a mid-August battle. A handful of veterans remain on the mend, but the Dolphins’ depth pieces delivered a compelling shot across the bow for fantasy managers monitoring which players will starter-adjacent come Week 1.

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.

Esposito won’t compare this Michigan defensive line to last year’s veteran group. The focus is forward, not backward, with new roles for the D-tackles and edges while the program reloads from the departures of Graham and Grant. The depth is touted as a defining strength for 2025, and the staff emphasizes maintaining the Maize and Blue identity through rotation and role clarity. The system, powered by Wink Martindale’s design, is expected to maximize each player’s ceiling and keep pressure on opposing offenses even as personnel shift.

Esposito credits the scheme for creating opportunities and stresses that production isn’t always captured in traditional stats, citing bounces, knockbacks, and distribution of plays as evidence of a healthy defense. The message to players is simple: adapt to new roles while delivering the same Michigan tenacity. Maize & Blue Review frames this as a bold, calculated reboot that preserves the program’s edge without sacrificing identity or effort.

In short, Michigan faces 2025 with a deeper, more versatile front, anchored by a coaching philosophy that prioritizes system over static personnel and a plan to keep pressure steady through smart rotations and smart development.

Miami plans to bounce back in 2025 by anchoring a tougher, more disruptive defense behind Kenneth Grant, the Michigan interior defender drafted at No. 13 in 2025. Grant is projected to be the linchpin for a unit aiming to wreak more havoc up front, pairing with Zach Sieler to improve the run game and create space for a reeling secondary to breathe.

With Christian Wilkins gone, the interior gains a new centerpiece as the front shifts toward quick disruption and run-stuffing from the middle. Injuries and departure in the secondary — notably Jalen Ramsey — heighten the need for front-end pressure to keep passers honest and help the vulnerable corners. The rookie’s development could determine whether the defense lands among the league’s frisky, competitive units in 2025.