Studs and duds from Buccaneers-Dolphins

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 09: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a throw in the first quarter during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 09: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a throw in the first quarter during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 09: Albert Wilson #15 of the Miami Dolphins makes a catch in the first quarter during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 09: Albert Wilson #15 of the Miami Dolphins makes a catch in the first quarter during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Dud: Ryan Smith

The Dolphins picked on Ryan Smith early and often on Thursday night. During the first drive, Smith’s matchup was targeted on four straight plays as Miami quarterbacks seemed to find where he was lined up on the field and attacked from there.

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As two rookies in M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis breathe down his neck, this isn’t the performance he needed to keep the starting role. He will have to have a big bounce-back performance if he doesn’t want to slip to the fourth or fifth spot on the depth chart.

On the bright side, he did seal the game with an interception on a desperation heave by Bryce Petty. He also led the team in tackles with seven and broke up one pass.

Stud: Sergio Bailey

The undrafted free agent wideout sat near the bottom of the Buccaneers depth chart heading into the preseason opener. He did all he could in his first NFL action as he hauled four receptions for 52 yards.

On the final drive, Bailey caught a pair of passes including a 20-yard reception to set Tampa Bay up in field goal range.

Although he still remains a long shot to make the final 53-man roster, Bailey may have propelled himself into a priority practice squad candidate. At the very least, he has earned more snaps in next week’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.