State of the Miami Dolphins: Time for Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa to deliver deep playoff run
- AFC East
- AFC North
- AFC South
- AFC West
- NFC East
- NFC North
- NFC South
- NFC West
Where does your squad stand ahead of the 2024 NFL season? Adam Rank sets the table by providing a State of the Franchise look at all 32 teams, zeroing in on the new faces to know, one significant fantasy spin and the stakes at play in the campaign to come.
Members of the Dolphins organization, Dolphins fans around the world and those who will fight tooth and nail to say the Dolphins have the best throwback uniforms in the world …
The Dolphins have reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since hiring head coach Mike McDaniel, which is great. The team had just two playoff appearances from 2002 to 2021, so you love to see Miami in the playoffs. The NFL seems better when the Dolphins are good. Unfortunately, they bowed out on Super Wild Card Weekend for the second year in a row. The Dolphins seem to have all the pieces for a playoff run. Is this the season they make it happen? That’s why I’m here. Let’s take a look at the Dolphins.
- Bills
- Dolphins
- Jets
- Patriots
2024 brain trust
| POSITION | NAME |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Mike McDaniel |
| General manager | Chris Grier |
| Offensive coordinator | Frank Smith |
| Defensive coordinator | Anthony Weaver |
| Special teams coordinator | Danny Crossman |
Roster reshuffling
Below is a rundown of the Dolphins’ most notable roster developments for the 2024 season, including this year’s draft class, as well as key acquisitions and departures via free agency and trade.
| Draft class (round-pick) | Key additions | Key departures |
|---|---|---|
| Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State (1-21) | Odell Beckham Jr., WR | Robert Hunt, OG |
| Patrick Paul, OT, Houston (2-55) | Jonnu Smith, TE | Connor Williams, C |
| Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee (4-120) | Jack Driscoll, OT | Emmanuel Ogbah, Edge |
| Mohamed Kamara, Edge, Colorado State (5-158) | Aaron Brewer, C | Andrew Van Ginkel, Edge |
| Malik Washington, WR, Virginia (6-184) | Shaquil Barrett, Edge | Raekwon Davis, DL |
| Patrick McMorris, S, Cal (6-198) | Neville Gallimore, DT | Christian Wilkins, DL |
| Tahj Washington, WR, USC (7-241) | Jonathan Harris, DT | Jerome Baker, LB |
| Benito Jones, DT | Xavien Howard, CB | |
| Teair Tart, DT | DeShon Elliott, S | |
| Calais Campbell, DL | Brandon Jones, S | |
| Jordyn Brooks, LB | ||
| Anthony Walker, LB | ||
| Kendall Fuller, CB | ||
| Marcus Maye, S | ||
| Jordan Poyer, S |
New faces to know
I’m not going to mention every interior defensive lineman the Dolphins signed this offseason (they’re listed above anyway). The team’s best player at the position, Christian Wilkins, departed in free agency to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders because, well, he got a lot of money. The most recognizable new Dolphins defensive lineman will be Calais Campbell, a 17th-year veteran who signed with the team in June. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio left for Philadelphia after last season, which was kind of a bummer because I was longing for a Fangio-Mike McDaniel buddy-cop type of movie. But the Dolphins have poured a lot of resources into the defensive line.
Weaver was the assistant head coach/defensive line coach for the Ravens the last two seasons. Starting safety Jevon Holland has raved about him this offseason. In fact, when asked back in May about the biggest difference with Weaver this season compared to Vic Fangio last season, Holland said, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe: “It’s the fact that (Weaver is) a good person that makes the difference.” Now, you don’t really have to read much between the lines to understand what Holland was saying there. And I’m sure Fangio is blocking the people on social media who have pointed this out. But I found it interesting. I feel like bringing in Weaver was a great hire.
I know, Beckham appears to be well past his prime. But I really loved this signing for the Dolphins. There is no pressure on OBJ with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the squad. He could have a rebirth joining the two other guys, like when Hollywood Hogan joined Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to create the nWo.
State of the QB room
As you might know, I’m a big Tua Tagovailoa guy. I was bullish on Tua coming into last year, and he had the best season of his career. He had a career-high 69.3% completion rate, led the league with 4,624 passing yards and tossed 29 touchdown passes. He’s trending up for sure. The question that I get a lot: Is he worth a contract extension that pays him at the top of the market? Trevor Lawrence recently got paid. You have other quarterbacks who could sign massive extensions in the weeks ahead (like Jordan Love). You also have guys like Dak Prescott who could be available as free agents next offseason. We know that Tua can play. Can he take the Dolphins to the next level? That’s what we’re looking at here. Is Tua that franchise guy? I feel like he is, but the Dolphins obviously have yet to offer him the number he’s looking for in a new deal.
Most important non-QB
If there was a season when a wide receiver was going to win the MVP award, it would have been Hill last season (I see you, Justin Jefferson fans, chill). Hill was on pace for 2,000 receiving yards for a majority of the season. He had six games with at least 140 receiving yards and finished with nearly 1,800 yards, making him the first player in NFL history with multiple seasons of at least 1,700 receiving yards. Hill might have hit his goal had he not been slowed by an ankle injury in Week 14. In fact, 12 of his 13 touchdowns last season happened in the first 13 weeks of the season. Now motivated by the new WR market, Hill seems more motivated than ever ahead of 2024.
My HOTTEST Dolphins fantasy take:
De’Von Achane is going to be a league-winner for you this season.
Achane was great as a rookie, leading the league with 7.8 yards per carry (min. 100 carries). And he was second in the NFL with 17.3 fantasy points per game. Veteran Raheem Mostert will also be a factor in the backfield, just as he was last season, but the second-year pro will likely have a bigger impact on the run and pass games if he stays healthy. And if he gets goal-line work, look out!
2024 roadmap
Three key dates:
- Week 2 (Thursday night): vs. Buffalo Bills. The hot Miami (Gardens) sun is such an underrated asset in the early part of the season. The Dolphins can set themselves up with an early-season win against their division rivals.
- Week 13 (Thanksgiving): at Green Bay Packers. I know some people think this team can’t win in the cold weather. But I loved the Dolphins’ moxie in the playoffs two years ago in Buffalo. A road win in Green Bay would be huge at this point in the season.
- Week 18: at New York Jets. Speaking of the cold weather … The Dolphins close the season with roadies in Cleveland and New York. These games will be the difference in hosting a playoff game, or once again going on the road – just like the last two postseasons.
For 2024 to be a success, the Dolphins MUST:
A) Win the Super Bowl
B) Make a playoff run
C) Earn a playoff berth
D) Finish above .500
E) Show progress
My answer: B) Make a playoff run. I’m not 100 percent sure this team is in its Super Bowl window. I mean, if we get to New Orleans (home of Super Bowl LIX) and the Dolphins are there, I won’t be completely shocked. But, what I really want to see from Miami this year is for Mike McDaniel’s team to put together some postseason success. We know how good the Dolphins are in the regular season. This team seems like it’s on the verge of greatness, so I want to see them take that next step. Last year’s playoff exit was a disappointment because the Dolphins weren’t even competitive in Kansas City — to the point where Hill called out his teammates for it. Another one-and-done in January would seem like a huge disappointment.
- AFC East
- AFC North
- AFC South
- AFC West
- NFC East
- NFC North
- NFC South
- NFC West
