Safety competition: Zayne Anderson emerges as candidate
Key Questions
Who is emerging as a candidate in the Dolphins' safety competition?
Zayne Anderson has emerged due to his familiarity with new DC Sean Duggan's system, giving him an edge. He joins Chris Johnson and Dante Trader Jr. in the battle for safety depth.
Why is safety considered the Dolphins' biggest weakness?
A recent position group ranking identified safety as the team's primary area of concern, with the competition among Anderson, Johnson, and Trader Jr. expected to define depth.
How might the safety battle impact the 2026 secondary?
The outcome of the competition could strengthen or expose the secondary's depth, particularly under the new defensive coordinator's scheme.
Zayne Anderson's familiarity with DC Sean Duggan gives him an edge. Competition includes Dante Trader Jr. and rookie Taaffe, who both made plays in first practice. A recent projection suggests Trader and Johnson (CB) as likely starters, but Johnson is a cornerback, not a safety. Safety group remains a mess with no clear starter opposite Trader. Taaffe also added to the mix. LB Gay also made plays in the secondary.