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Allen and Wayne begin Dolphins special teams learning process
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- Allen and Wayne begin Dolphins special teams learning process
Film gives Chris Tabor a starting point with a new player. Practice gives him the chance to learn what comes next.
The Dolphins' special teams coordinator said Kaytron Allen and Jared Wayne are still in that early discovery stage as Miami evaluates how the newcomers might fit its units.
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"Both new guys that we're, I think, finding out about them, right?" Tabor said. "And that's kind of where we're at."
His initial impressions included strong hands, competitive play and blocking ability on tape. He also described both as intelligent players whose demeanor he likes.
That is an encouraging introduction, but Tabor stopped short of assigning either newcomer a defined game-day role. His comments emphasized continued work rather than a completed evaluation.
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"It's interesting when you get new guys, obviously you're going off of the tape, and then when they get in the building, you find out what's underneath the hood," he said.
The distinction is central to the transition. What a player has shown elsewhere can identify possibilities; working with him directly helps a coaching staff understand how those possibilities translate into the new team's assignments.
Possible Returns
Tabor's answers about Allen's return ability were particularly cautious. Asked whether he might contribute as a kick returner, the coordinator said the opportunity remained something to explore.
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"He might. He might, we'll see," Tabor said.
He gave a similarly conditional answer when asked about core special teams work. Neither response established Allen as a returner or promised a particular coverage role.
For Miami, the exploration comes while other assignments are already changing. Tabor confirmed increased special teams involvement for Zayne Anderson and Willie Gay as Taaffe and Trader take on larger responsibilities elsewhere.
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That movement creates an ongoing need to match available players with useful roles. Tabor said special teams must adjust whenever the roster changes or players become more involved on offense and defense.
Kickoff Matchups and Mixups
The dynamic kickoff also makes roster composition part of the preparation. He considers the balance of bigger and smaller players and how those combinations compare with the opponent.
Allen and Wayne enter a process shaped by those needs, not simply an open invitation to perform one isolated task. Their potential contributions must fit both the special teams assignment and the players around them.
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Sunday's matchup against the New York Jets supplies the broader backdrop, but Tabor did not promise either newcomer a role in that game.
"So we're working with them and we'll see what happens," he said.
For now, the Dolphins have favorable first impressions and work still to do. The next step is determining where the newcomers' skills can become reliable contributions within Miami's special teams.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
