Dolphins Preview

By : Mike Rifkin

In 2021 the Dolphins had their second consecutive winning season, the first time that happened since they had a winning record for seven consecutive seasons from 1997-2003. 

For Miami this will be the first game of the Mike McDaniel era. Brian Flores was fired after three seasons posting a 24-25 record including winning records in back to back seasons. The Dolphins bring McDaniel in from the 49ers. The 49ers were seventh in the NFL in rushing last season averaging 127.4 yards per game, while the Dolphins were 30th in rushing averaging 92.2 yards per game. McDaniel was brought in to help Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa develop. Tagovailoa, the former fifth overall pick last year had a 67.8 completion percentage, 2,653 yards, 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and three rushing touchdowns. What McDaniel and Chris Grier did this offseason was surround Tua with the best supporting cast possible to see if he is the solution to the Dolphins woes at Quarterback since Dan Marino retired. The Dolphins added three time pro bowler Terron Armstead from the New Orleans Saints and Connor Williams from the Cowboys to sure up the offensive line. In the backfield Mike McDaniel brought in a familiar face in Raheem Mostert. Mostert broke out in 2019 with 772 yards (averaged 5.6 ypc) and eight touchdowns in 16 games. In 2020 Mostert battled through injuries and had 521 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. Last year Mostert hurt his knee in the season opener and had surgery and missed the rest of the season. The Dolphins also brought in Chase Edmonds from the Cardinals. Edmonds had a career high 592 rushing yards last year for the Cardinals. Edmonds also is a very good receiver out of the backfield. Dolphins traded for Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins traded this year’s first and second round picks (29 and 50), a fourth round draft pick also this year and a fourth and sixth round picks next year. In his career Hill has 479 catches for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns. Hill is arguably the fastest player in the NFL and I imagine Mcdaniel may use him similar to how he used Deebo Samuel in San Francisco. And don’t forget the Dolphins drafted Jaylen Waddle sixth overall last year and all he did was break the rookie record for receptions with 104. He had 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. The team also franchised Tight End Mike Gesicki and signed Cedric Wilson. Gesicki had 73 catches for 780 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson had 45 catches for 602 yards and six touchdowns. 

Then there is the Dolphins defense that was so good during their seven game winning streak last season. The defense was fifth in the NFL with 48.0 sacks led by Emmanuel Ogbah and Jaelan Phillips. On the season Miami had an even turnover differential but during that winning streak late in the year they were +9. Led by corner Xavien Howard the secondary should be really good although Byron Jones will miss the first four games due to injury. They also brought in Melvin Ingram to help the pass rush. But watch for Phillips and Safety Jevon Holland to take a leap on defense. 

There are expectations in Miami for this team to compete for a playoff spot. The roster is good enough to get there. But they are going to need Tua to play well and if he does the Dolphins will be a playoff team.