How did Jaylen Wright, Patrick Paul, Miami Dolphins rookies grade out in pro debuts?
MIAMI GARDENS - The Miami Dolphins beat the Atlanta Falcons 20-13 in their NFL preseason opener on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
Dolphins rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson did not play.
"It was a situation where he probably could have gone," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. "At the same time, for a guy to get his first NFL outing under – he was battling through some stuff, it was a coach’s decision that was minor injury related, but he should be back soon."
However, rookie left tackle Patrick Paul, a second-rounder, started for the Dolphins.
Other rookie draft picks to play included running back Jaylen Wright (fourth round), wide receiver Malik Washington (sixth round) and safety Patrick McMorris (sixth round).
All of those players had good moments.
Edge rusher Mo Kamara (fifth round) did not play, likely due to injury.
Receiver Tahj Washington (seventh round) is on injured reserve.
Miami Dolphins rookie grades vs. Atlanta Falcons, Preseason Game 1
LT Patrick Paul — B+
The Dolphins' offensive line allowed no sacks to the Falcons. And Miami averaged 4.1 yards per carry on the ground. Paul was second on the Dolphins with 63 snaps played, as Terron Armstead and Kendall Lamm rested. McDaniel said Paul showed some "good stuff" and was "fast and physical." Paul's size and strength are evident. His debut was encouraging.
RB Jaylen Wright — B+
Wright led the Dolphins with 10 carries and 55 rushing yards. He shined as Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane rested. "He finished strong," McDaniel said. Wright showed some speed, power, burst and tackle-breaking ability that charged the somewhat sparse crowd at Hard Rock Stadium.
WR Malik Washington — B-
Washington had one catch for five yards on four targets. Malik did have an explosive 21-yard run on an end around. Washington had two kickoff returns for 46 yards. He had four punt returns for 21 yards. Malik muffed and recovered a punt in the first quarter. It wasn't a great pro debut after what had been a strong week of training camp practice.
S Patrick McMorris — B+
McMorris led the Dolphins with eight tackles. And he had two tackles for loss. And one pass defended. It will be hard for McMorris to make the squad if Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye and Elijah Campbell are all healthy. But this was a good start for the Cal product.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins rookies: Grades in preseason defeat of Falcons
