Offseason Analysis Series: Miami Dolphins

2021 Results: (9-8) Third in AFC East

Meaningful Additions: HC Mike McDaniel, WR Tyreek Hill, RB Chase Edmonds, RB Raheem Mostert, LT Terron Armstead, WR Cedrick Wilson, OL Connor Williams, QB Teddy Bridgewater, EDGE Melvin Ingram, CB Keion Crossen, LB Channing Tindall, WR Erik Ezukanma

Meaningful Losses: HC Brian Flores, QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Duke Johnson, WR Mack Hollins, WR Devante Parker

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What Has Changed?

Don't Blink

The Dolphins made a number of big additions this offseason and now have the fastest skill position group in the NFL. Miami's moves were headlined by a splash trade for the speediest player in the league, former Kansas City Chief Tyreek Hill. Hill's speed and lateral agility are unmatched and make him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. The six time Pro Bowler and three time first team All-Pro receiver (one time at returner) will give QB Tua Tagovailoa a much needed homerun threat. Miami also signed all purpose back Chase Edmonds and burner Raheem Mostert. Both will play a role in putting the Dolphins running game back on track a year after finishing 30th in rushing yards. Edmonds should play a bigger roll as a pass catcher than Mostert, but I expect Mostert, who was the second fastest ball carrier ever recorded (behind only Tyreek Hill) per NFL Next Gen Stats to handle a sizeable amount of the load in between the tackles. The blazing speed that is the Hill/Waddle/Wilson combination at receiver and Edmonds/Mostert backfield makes the Dolphins offense a serious threat.

Offensive Scheme

The ending of the Brian Flores era in Miami was an ugly one. Flores filed a number of lawsuits against the NFL in the wake of his firing and now is a Defensive Assistant under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh. Former San Francisco 49er's Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel was brought in to replace Flores. Under McDaniel, the 49er's consistently had one of the best rushing attacks in the league. McDaniel's ability to get creative and ensure his best players get the ball (see 2021 Deebo Samuel) should lead to good things for the Dolphins. Expect Miami's offense to revolve around pre-snap motion in order to create unique matchups and reveal the opposing defenses' coverage. The biggest beneficiary of this new scheme should be third year QB Tua Tagovailoa. Not only will he be surrounded by an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver and running back, but he also will get a head coach who will give him easy throws and a stable running game to lean on. Miami should be a problem in the AFC East this season. I see them contending for a playoff spot and finishing second in the division behind Buffalo. The biggest question for them is if Tua will take a leap forward. If he can't succeed with the arsenal that currently surrounds him, then I think that this year will be his last as a starter in Miami.