Getty Images

The Dolphins traded for Byron Maxwell with the intentions of having Maxwell start at one cornerback spot.

On the other side, there’s an interesting battle that figures to continue into training camp going on between second-round rookie Xavien Howard and second-year man Tony Lippett, who seems to be progressing well as he transitions to defense.

At Michigan State, Lippett was a three-year starter at wide receiver and also started seven games at cornerback. At 6-foot-3, Lippett is one of the tallest defensive backs in the NFL, and the 2015 fifth-round pick is competing to become a full-time contributor after playing in nine games last season.

He had a three-interception day during an OTA practice last week.

“[Lippett] has done a great job,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said, per the Miami Herald. “That’s not an easy thing to be able to do [moving from receiver to cornerback]. I love the fact he’s so engaged. He’s competitive. He knows he’s got a fight on his hands.

“I don’t think he’s going to sit back and say, ‘This guy [Howard] is a second-round pick, he can have it.’ He’s fighting because he wants to be on the field.”