Willie Gay Jr. was one of the Miami Dolphins’ top performers, playmakers during last year’s training camp, and it seems as if the veteran linebacker is picking up where he left off based on day one of training camp.
Gay, who typically produced an impact play every other day during the 2025 training camp sessions, delivered one of the top plays of Wednesday’s first day on the field when he stepped in front of a Cam Miller pass intended for a tight end and pulled down a one-handed interception before his momentum forced him to run out of bounds.
If the interception hadn’t been made along the sideline it’s possible that Gay would have delivered a pick-six interception against Miami’s offense, which was led by the former North Dakota State quarterback the Dolphins claimed off the waiver wire late last season after the Las Vegas Raiders cut the sixth-round pick.
Gay, who has started 57 of the 89 NFL games he’s played the past six seasons, is competing for one of the three off-ball linebacker starting spots in Jeff Hafley’s defense. While Gay has the third most playing experience, trailing only veteran starters Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, he’s got an uphill battle to unseat the three rookie linebackers for playing time on this rebuilding team.
Jacob Rodriguez, a 2026 second-round pick, is viewed as the top understudy for an inside linebacker role, but Hafley did acknowledge there are packages where Brooks, Dodson and Rodriguez could be on the field at the same time.
Trey Moore, a 2026 fourth-round pick, is competing for the vacant starting strong side linebacker role, as is Gay, and Miami has pitched Kyle Louis, another 2026 fourth-round pick, has the defense’s big nickel, which works as a coverage specialist against tight ends.
Gay would be a logical choice for both roles, but his limited playing time the past two seasons might discourage Miami’s coaches from investing in him. However, he could possibly get ahead of the rookie trio by continuing to produce impactful plays like the one he had on Wednesday.
Top Plays/Performers
Edge rusher David Ojabo forced a fumble during 11-on-11 on an Ollie Gordon II carry. Gordon responded on the very next play by producing a first down run….Edge rusher Cameron Goode produced a would-be sack on a Quinn Ewers snap…..Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas and Greg Dulcich produced the best catches of Malik Willis’ snaps. Douglas caught an out in front of JuJu Brents, who was in tight coverage. Dulcich’s 20-yard reception featured at least 10 run-after-catch yards…..Jonah Savaiinaea, the Dolphins’ projected starter at right guard, changed his number from 72 to 71…..Carlos Washington Jr., who spent the previous two seasons on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, has some decent runs during Wednesday’s 11-on-11 period.
Stock Up
Rookie safety Michael Taaffe, a former Texas standout the Dolphins selected in the fifth round, pulled down camp’s first interception, stepping in front of an off-target 11-on-11 pass from Ewers, who was being pressured by Robert Beal Jr. on the throw. If Taaffe continues to make plays it’s possible the former Longhorns walk-on could push for the starting safety spot opposite Dante Trader Jr.
Stock Down
Tight end Ben Sims, who is competing with rookie Will Kacmarek for the starting in-line tight end role, got pushed around plenty during Miami’s 11-on-11 period. Whoever Sims was blocking was routinely in Miami’s backfield, which hints that Sims, a four-year veteran, might not be stout enough for the in-line work. However, let’s wait for pads to come on next week to evaluate this further.
What They Said
“He’s quick. It’s always good when a quarterback can make plays with his feet. It’s going to be a little different,” De’Von Achane said when asked about Willis’ scrambling ability.
