Predicting Dolphins' Breakout Players at 2024 OTAs, Minicamp

The Miami Dolphins have a good problem on their hands at running back.

Miami has six players competing for what will likely be three roster spots. The depth chart was made even more crowded by the draft selection of Jaylen Wright.

Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane and Jeff Wilson Jr. should be the favorites to make the 53-man roster, which means Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks need to impress over the next few months at OTAs and minicamp in order to make the Miami roster, or impress another team to get on that roster.

The Dolphins will also take a close look at defensive tackle in the upcoming practices.

Miami added a pair of edge-rushers through the draft, but it did not address the hole left by Christian Wilkins, so there is a starting spot left for a handful of players to compete for.

Salvon Ahmed

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Salvon Ahmed #26 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Salvon Ahmed is on his last chance to remain on the Miami roster.

The veteran running back has hung around over the last few seasons despite the additions of Mostert, Achane and Wilson.

Wright's draft selection put Ahmed's roster spot in danger, and that should motivate him to have a strong summer.

Ahmed earned 125 rushing yards and 96 receiving yards over the last two seasons. That was a significant drop off from his first two seasons with the Dolphins.

He might be better off moving on at some point in the summer anyway because he is competing for the No. 3 or No. 4 spot on the depth chart at best.

Regardless, Ahmed needs a strong summer in order to impress the Dolphins and teams that may seek running back help.

Chris Brooks

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 24: Running back Chris Brooks #35 of the Miami Dolphins walks off the field at the end of the first half of a football game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

You can apply most everything that was written about Ahmed to Chris Brooks' case to make the roster.

The second-year running back recorded just over 100 rushing yards in his rookie season and is viewed as a fringe player to the 53-man roster right now.

Miami could be more inclined to keep Brooks over Ahmed and maybe Wilson if he turns in a strong summer.

Brooks is younger than Ahmed and Wilson and that could lead to Miami getting younger and faster behind Mostert and Achane.

Like with Ahmed, an impressive set of practices at OTAs and minicamp could lead a job elsewhere for Brooks in a league that always has teams searching for running back help.

Teair Tart

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: Teair Tart #93 of the Houston Texans celebrates a sack during the fourth quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Someone has to step up on the defensive interior.

Miami's biggest roster hole is at defensive tackle because it failed to replace Christian Wilkins after he signed elsewhere in free agency.

Miami not directly replace Wilkins' production this year because he was so dominant. That may lead to a few players filling that role.

Teiar Tart is one of the players who could help fill the role on the inside next to Zach Sieler and Da'Shawn Hand.

Tart has something to prove personally after he only played two games for the Houston Texans last season.

He has the potential to be one of the feel-good stories of the summer in Miami. He can be a solid run stuffer when healthy, as evidenced by his time with the Tennessee Titans, and if he gets back to that level, it will help Miami's defense immensely as it tries to piece things together without Wilkins on the interior.