Updates on McCain, Jordan, 2013 draftees, RG...

Dolphins linebacker Chris McCain is going to make the team.

He is the most pleasant surprise of this Dolphins preseason, given that he had not played football since last September when he was kicked off the Cal football team for "conduct detrimental to the team" as a junior.

Indeed, if you just landed on Earth from planet Uranus and I played McCain's preseason tape and Dion Jordan's preseason tape and told you one was an undrafted rookie and the other was a second-year player drafted No. 3 overall, you might have a hard time picking McCain as the undrafted rookie.

And that is kind of the point of my column in today's Miami Herald.

Jordan is off to an NFL mandated suspension for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs but he doesn't necessarily go off on a high note. This preseason?

OK.

But not great.

Indeed, after a training camp in which the Dolphins were hoping for big things from Jordan and the rest of his 2013 draft class, the result is kind of a disappointment.

The starting right guard job looked like it might be claimed by a 2013 draft class player. It was not.

The No. 3 RB job looked like it might be claimed by a 2013 draft class player. It was not.

There was a starting CB job open for one of two 2013 draft class players. Neither won the job and neither separated from the other en route to important playing time that I outline in my column.

It's obvious Jordan won't be around for four games. He's a better player than he was a year ago at this time.

"I'm much better than I was last year," he said. "I'm much more healthier. I have better knowledge of the game and what my role is within the defense."

But the No. 3 overall selection in 2013 still has a long way to go.

That said, the Dolphins have multiple decisions to make between now and 4 p.m. Saturday when they have to get down to the 53-man NFL roster limit.

The team wanted to evaluate (or showcase for trade) running back Daniel Thomas tonight. As showcases go, this was a dud. Thomas rushed 13 times and gained 38 yards -- a 2.9 yard per carry average.

“I thought he ran well," coach Joe Philbin said. "I thought he ran hard. It was a little choppy there early. They were pressuring quite a bit. They had guys down near the box. I thought he ran physical and hard. It didn’t look like there was a ton of space there at times, but I thought for his first game he looked good."

So did Thomas do enough to make the team?

“I don’t know , we’ll have to see," he said. "It’s up to the coaches. I just gave everything I had. Just have to wait and see.”

I don't see it. I don't think Thomas did enough. Then again, I've been saying that for two years. 

The Dolphins have a glut of tight ends but, really, only Charles Clay and Dion Sims are certainties at this point. Interestingly, when Philbin was asked to talk about the position the first name out of this mouth was ...

“I think Gator Hoskins, the last couple of weeks, has done a good job.," he said. "I think Kyle Miller’s performed well the last couple of weeks."

Folks, the Dolphins need to churn the bottom of this roster after other teams waive players. The Dolphins could use an upgrade at RB, TE, and G. Kicker Caleb Sturgis (missed a 53-yard field goal, could not kick off Thursday) is no prize, either, although the Dolphins seem committed to him -- for now.