Inactive rookie DJ Campbell explains his situation. And Dolphins nuggets

Miami Dolphins admin September 22, 2026 0 Comments

Inactive rookie DJ Campbell explains his situation. And Dolphins nuggets

When the Dolphins drafted DJ Campbell with the 200th overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, they were so bullish on his upside that they spoke of using him not only at guard (where he started 43 games at Texas) but also possibly at tackle and center.

“He’s played predominantly guard at Texas, but we’ll put a football in his hands, see if he can snap, take a look at him at tackle,” Dolphins senior personnel executive Jon Robinson said on the third day of the draft, raving about his long arms.

As it turns out, playing just his natural position has been a challenge, so far, at the NFL level.

Campbell explains the reason for that: The Dolphins have him using a dramatically different technique than he utilized at Texas. He’s not complaining about it, but he acknowledged the challenges in a recent conversation at his locker.

“It’s a complete difference,” he said. “I was taught in college to lift off the ball and get to my combo moves and drop into combo blocks. Here it’s a little different. Running off the ball now, everything is faster. It’s a work in progress.”

Before Jonah Savaiinaea thrived in his move to right guard during the offseason, there was some thought in early May that Campbell could challenge for a starting job at the position, considering that he allowed just one sack at Texas last season. Not only did that not materialize, but Campbell isn’t even the primary backup.

Former Patriots lineman Caedan Wallace is listed as the top backup at both right tackle and right guard, with Campbell listed on the third team. Campbell has been inactive for the Dolphins’ first two games and is the team’s only offensive lineman not on the first or second team, according to the depth chart.

Did that surprise or disappoint him?

“No, it didn’t disappoint me,” he said. “I trust the coaches. I won’t say it was a surprise. [Offensive line] coach [Zach] Yenser has been supportive, said ‘stay ready,’ that they’re going to need me.”

The message from coaches has been “to get down this technique,” he said. “I’m showing good signs, but I need to do it consistently. Some of my stuff from Texas, I will revert back to it once I get comfortable.”

Most sixth-round picks don’t become long-term NFL starters, and the views on Campbell before the draft were mixed.

▪ Eric Galko, director of the East-West Shrine game, said in a phone interview last May that Campbell is “an efficient mover, can get to the second level. You don’t realize he’s an undersized guy when you’re watching him. His measurables are not wowing, but I can see him starting early in his career and playing left guard or right guard early in his career.”

But NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said Campbell — although “tough, strong and smart” — has “clear athletic limitations that create scheme-dependence and could limit his upside. He lacks functional bend and fluidity in space, which limits his range.”

If this ends up essentially a redshirt year, would he be unhappy?

“I wouldn’t say I’d be unhappy,” he said. “I would just be able to accept it and put my head down and go to work harder and solidify my role on this team for 2027.”

This and that

Malik Willis’ fourth-and-1 first-quarter conversion against the 49ers — a play aided by a push from fullback DJ Herman — was the Dolphins’ first successful quarterback sneak since 2022, per ESPN. The Dolphins seldom ran sneaks with Tua Tagovailoa because of his limited size and history of concussions and other injuries.

Willis gained 2 yards on the play, taking the ball to the 49ers’ 29-yard line. It was the first time that Miami has used the “Tush Push” play popularized, and perfected by, the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I love the aggressiveness of that,” center Aaron Brewer said. “The Tush Push, I feel like we should be able to get a first down every time with that.”

▪ The Dolphins’ 17-play, 63-yard second-quarter drive — which ended with a 28-yard field goal by Riley Patterson — marked the team’s longest drive (in terms of number of plays) since a 17-play, 73-yard drive against Seattle in October 2020. That possession also ended in a field goal.

▪ If you missed this, Fox noted on Sunday that the 606 combined NFL starts for the entire Dolphins roster, entering the season, is the fewest for any NFL team since 2000.

▪ After Sunday’s game, Dolphins linebacker Jacob Rodriguez made a point to meet four-time first-team All-Pro Fred Warner, one of the NFL’s best at their position. “He’s a really great player,” Rodriguez said. “We talked a lot about taking the ball away. It was cool to get to meet him.”

This story was originally published September 22, 2026 at 2:55 PM.