Dolphins Season In Review/Offseason Needs

By: Mike Rifkin

The 2021 Miami Dolphins had expectations of being a playoff team after going 10-6 in 2020. Miami opened up the season with a week one victory over the New England Patriots and people were feeling good and then the wheels fell off and the Dolphins lost seven consecutive games. Then the Dolphins put themselves back into contention by being the first team in NFL history to have a seven game losing streak and a seven game winning streak in the same season. The major catalyst for the winning streak was the defense. In six of the seven games during the streak the defense has allowed 17 points or less and held teams to under 300 total yards. The defense which last season feasted on turnovers and having a +9 turnover differential, during this streak they have forced  14 turnovers.  For the second consecutive season the Dolphins controlled their playoff  destiny and in week 17 they got smoked by an AFC powerhouse as they lost to the Titans 34-3. They ended the season the same way they started it by beating the Patriots and for the first time since 2000 they swept New England. 

After the season Miami fired coach Brian Flores after three seasons. Flores went 24-25 in three seasons. The Dolphins have hired 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Mcdaniel to replace Flores.

Mcdaniel’s top priority is to decide whether or not Tua Tagovailoa is their future quarterback. The former fifth overall pick had a 67.8 completion percentage with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Tagovailoa did have to look over his shoulder up until the trade deadline where the Dolphins were interested in Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson who requested a trade from the Texans is facing 22 counts of sexual misconduct and assault. Miami averaged 20.1 points per game which was 22nd in the NFL. One of the few bright spots on Miami’s offense was rookie Jaylen Waddle who broke the record for most receptions in his rookie year with 104 catches for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. Tight End Mike Geisicki had 73 catches for 780 yards and two touchdowns and was very reliable for Tua at points. One area Mcdaniel will certainly help is the Dolphins run game which averaged 92.2 yards per game, which was 30th in the NFL. Mcdaniel’s 49ers averaged 127.4 yards per game, which ranked seventh in the NFL. 

Mcdaniel will inherit a very good defense. A defense that was fifth in the NFL in sacks led by Emmanuel Ogbah nine and rookie Jaelan Phillips eight and a half. Last season the Dolphins were even in turnover differential, but in 2020 were third with a +9, led by Xavien Howard who had 10 interceptions. Howard in 2021 had five interceptions and is one of the premiere corners in the NFL. Rookie Safety Jevon Holland looks like the real deal. In his rookie year Holland had 69 tackles, two and half sacks, and two interceptions. 

Offseason Targets

1. Sign Terron Armstead – Dolphins biggest need is the offensive line, in fact it’s offensive to watch them at times and I don’t trust the front office to draft well there. Armstead is the best Offensive linemen on the market. 
2. Re-sign Emmanuel Ogbah – Since coming to the Dolphins Ogbah has 18 sacks. 
3. Re-sign Mike Gesicki- Gesicki the former second round pick was the Dolphins second leading receiver last season and under Mcdaniel could get more targets
4. Sign Laken Tomlinson – Once again addressing the biggest need the Offensive line Tomlinson a 49er is someone who can come right in and play in a system he is familiar with. 
5. Acquire TWO receivers. I know you can also address the position in the draft, but there are some good young receivers available as free agents. The Dolphins tried this route last year with Will Fuller and it didn’t work. I don’t think the Dolphins will throw all of their money at someone like Davante Adams. Two names I find interesting are Michael Gallup from the Cowboys and Chris Godwin from the Bucs both are coming off Torn ACL’s but if given multi year deals can help. DJ Chark is another receiver I think there could be interest in. Prediction: Dolphins sign Gallup and pull off a trade with the Falcons for Calvin Ridley. 
6. Trade for a Running back – the name that comes to mind is Raheem Mostert in San Francisco and it shouldn’t cost that much in compensation. Mostert is coming off injury but knows Mcdaniel’s system. I would pair Mostert with someone in the draft and be done with Myles Gaskin.

Draft 

RD 1 PK 29:  Kenneth Walker Running Back Michigan State

RD 2 PK 50: traded to Falcons for Ridley if kept Christain Harris linebacker Alabama

RD 3 PK 100: Alec Lindstrom Center Boston College

The Dolphins have their coach in Mcdaniel, now it is time to surround Tua with weapons to see if he is the quarterback of the future. This entire offseason should be dedicated to making sure the organization gives Tua every opportunity to succeed.