Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake hopes to earn a starting job in his second NFL season, but he'll have to unseat second-round pick Koa Misi, who spent most of the team's mini-camp working with the first-team defense.

"It's pushing me even more to learn my plays. I've got no time to waste," Misi said, according to Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel. "I don't want to mess anything up when I'm out there so I've been in my playbook anytime I've got free time. It's helped me progress a little faster."

Misi played defensive end at the University of Utah. A three-year starter, Misi totaled 206 tackles, including 26 for a loss, and posted 10.5 quarterback sacks, twice earning All-Mountain West Conference honors (first team after last season). The Dolphins chose the 6-3, 263-pound Misi with the 40th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, a pick the Dolphins obtained from the San Diego Chargers when they traded down in the first round.

With Jason Taylor and Joey Porter moving on, the Dolphins are throwing a lot at Misi during the OTAs and mini-camp to speed up his development.

"There are some guys out here we know. And there are some guys out here that obviously we don't know yet. Koa is one of those players," Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said. "We're learning him, and it's a new position for him. The more work he can get against Jake Long and these types of people, the less guessing we're going to have to do down the road."

In addition to Wake, Misi will face competition for a starting job from Charlie Anderson and Quentin Moses. Journeyman Erik Walden, 2010 seventh-round pick Chris McCoy and Brian Johnston are also in the mix for playing time at outside linebacker, and Adalius Thomas remains a possibility should the Dolphins look outside the organization for help at the position.

"They want to see if the pressure is going to push me, seeing if I'll sink or swim," said Misi, who had 10.5 sacks in his three seasons as a college starter. "They are testing me and want to see what I can do under the pressure."