Miami Dolphins Offseason Progress Report

Are the McDaniel/Tagovailoa Dolphins at the end of the road?

Dolphins Speedster De’Von Achane

Overview

2024 Record: 8-9

General Manager: Chris Grier

Head Coach: Mike McDaniel

Starting Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa

Key Extensions:

--

Key Additions:

iOL James Daniels, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, LB Willie Gay Jr, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, S Ashton Davis, QB Zach Wilson, TE Darren Waller, DL Kenneth Grant, iOL Jonah Savaiinaea

Key Departures:

EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah, S Jevon Holland, DL Calais Campbell, iOL Robert Jones, DB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith

Offense

Offensive Coordinator: Frank Smith (Mike McDaniel calls plays)

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 20th Success Rate: 15th PPG: 22nd (20.3ppg)

Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):

QB Tua Tagovailoa

RB De'Von Achane

WR Tyreek Hill

WR Jaylen Waddle

WR Malik Washington

TE Darren Waller

LT Patrick Paul

LG James Daniels

C Aaron Brewer

RG Jonah Savaiinaea

RT Austin Jackson

Offense Notes:

Typically, a team with the fastest skill players in the league and a dynamic play-caller would create visions of a consistently explosive offense. This was not the case for the 2024 Dolphins. After lighting the league on fire in 2023, the Dolphins offense regressed quite a bit and was the main culprit for the team's nine losses.

2025 didn't bring many changes to the skill positions aside from Westbrook-Ikhine. The biggest additions on offense are two new guards who can hopefully help keep Tua clean. This team's offense rides on the back of Tagovailoa; if he can't stay upright, the Dolphins may be in for another season with no playoff appearance.

Defense

Defensive Coordinator: Anthony Weaver

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 9th Success Rate: 12th PPG: 10th (21.4ppg allowed)

Projected Starting Defense (Base 3-4):

DE Kenneth Grant

DT Benito Jones

DE Zach Sieler

OLB Jaelan Phillips

OLB Bradley Chubb

LB Jordyn Brooks

LB Tyrel Dodson

CB Storm Duck

CB Jack Jones

S Minkah Fitzpatrick

S Ashtyn Davis

Defense Notes:

While the offense tended to struggle, the Fins defense actually kept them in games. In the eight wins Miami earned last season, the defense allowed under 20 points in seven of those contests. Despite seemingly being consistently injured, new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver got the most out of his group.

Going into 2025, the defense should theoretically be a bit more potent. Investments along the interior defensive line in the draft should allow Miami to cut down the opponent's ability to gain big yardage on runs. With Jalen Ramsey gone, corner will have to be a by-committee approach. Replacing Jevon Holland's production might be difficult, but the Dolphins have added multiple safeties throughout the offseason in an attempt to do so.

Outlook

Overall, this team comes down to how long Tua Tagovailoa stays on the field. We've seen how good the offense can be when Tagovailoa gives them a full season of games. Step 1 for the Dolphins to be competitive this year will be maintaining the integrity of the pocket and keeping the quarterback healthy.

Step 2, however, is a bit less defined. Even when Tagovailoa has been healthy through the season, he tends to falter late in the season, particularly in the cold weather. If the Dolphins get a completely healthy season out of Tua, will they be able to make a playoff push?

Then we get to Step 3: the gradual decline of some of the aging stars on this roster. Both Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey (now traded) are on the wrong side of 30, declining in performance, and are owed large sums over the next few seasons. If they underperform and/or are no longer on the team via trade, what is the true ceiling of this team? I think that the expectations for the Dolphins are to be competitive in the playoff picture this season, but I'm not sure that such a reality is likely. Miami could be a sneaky team that sees movement in the coaching staff and front office during the season if they are unable to hang with the big teams in the AFC.

Expectation/Goal for 2025: Compete for Wild Card

2025 Schedule

\(\begin{array}{c c} \textbf{GameWeek} & \textbf{Opponent} \\ \hline \text{Week 1} & \text{@ Indianapolis, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 2} & \text{vs. New England, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 3} & \textbf{@ Buffalo, TNF, 8:15pm} \\ \textbf{Week 4} & \textbf{vs. New York Jets, MNF, 7:15pm} \\ \text{Week 5} & \text{@ Carolina, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 6} & \text{vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 7} & \text{@ Cleveland, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 8} & \text{@ Atlanta, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 9} & \textbf{vs. Baltimore, TNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 10} & \text{vs. Buffalo, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 11} & \text{vs. Washington, 9:30am*} \\ \text{Week 12} & \text{-- BYE WEEK --} \\ \text{Week 13} & \text{vs. New Orleans, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 14} & \text{@ New York Jets, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 15} & \textbf{@ Pittsburgh, MNF, 8:15pm} \\ \textbf{Week 16} & \textbf{vs. Cincinnati, SNF, 8:20pm} \\ \text{Week 17} & \text{vs. Tampa Bay, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 18} & \text{@ New England, TBD} \\ \end{array} \)

Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST

*Week 11 game vs. Washington is in Madrid*