Editor鈥檚 note: This is the first in a series looking at the AFC East teams. Today is the Miami Dolphins.
Jalen Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback, missed the Dolphins鈥 mandatory minicamp while awaiting a trade.
Jonnu Smith, the veteran tight end with a team-leading 88 catches in 2024, also skipped a portion of their spring workouts because he wants a new contract.
Tyreek Hill, their polarizing star receiver, suggested a trade request following their season-ending loss to the Jets. He eventually walked back those comments and publicly apologized.
The excitement around Miami has dulled. The Dolphins haven鈥檛 won a playoff game in Mike McDaniel鈥檚 three seasons as coach, and their roster has worsened through poor decisions. For instance, they added $25 million guaranteed to Ramsey鈥檚 contract for 2025 and watched their best guard, Robert Hunt, join the Panthers as a free agent in 2024.
People are also reading…
The Bills are 13-1 in their last 14 games against the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins finished second in the AFC East for a third consecutive season but missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record. McDaniel proved again that he could build an offense to maximize the skill set of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. And, surprisingly, their defense emerged as a strength under first-year coordinator Anthony Weaver, whom McDaniel hired after his players reportedly detested Vic Fangio鈥檚 demanding approach.
Fangio, of course, called plays for the Philadelphia Eagles on their way to a Super Bowl victory while the Dolphins were one of the NFL鈥檚 most dramatic soap operas last season. Their dysfunction and poor roster construction raised questions about the franchise鈥檚 leadership from the top down, creating an urgency this spring to reshape their culture entering McDaniel鈥檚 fourth season.
鈥淲hen as a team you don鈥檛 meet expectations, particularly with the guys who are on the team this year who were on the team last year, you find conviction in what needs to occur,鈥 McDaniel told reporters during mandatory minicamp. 鈥淚 think a lot of this offseason was shaped partly (by) things we learned. Like any year, you learn lessons, but particularly last year. ... I think we鈥檝e established what the standard of our team is and that鈥檚 a big deal moving forward.鈥
The Dolphins still have elite speed on offense. De鈥橵on Achane is an exceptional young running back, but the blocking in front of him was atrocious throughout his second NFL season. They ranked 21st in rushing yards and tied for 30th in yards per carry. This offense isn鈥檛 built to lean on the pass. Hill played through a wrist injury that required surgery, while Jaylen Waddle had career lows in yards (744) and touchdowns (two).
One of the most exciting offenses in the league devolved into a dink-and-dunk slog because the quarterback missed four games with another concussion and his replacements couldn鈥檛 throw downfield.
Investments were made into the offensive and defensive lines, plus edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has recovered from the knee injury that ended his season in Week 4. He鈥檚 played only 12 games since 2022. A young, inexperienced secondary will become worse, however, if Ramsey is traded. This could be a make-or-break season for this regime, particularly general manager Chris Grier, who鈥檚 been on the job since 2016, and nothing about their offseason indicates the results will be different in 2025.
Offseason buzz
This should also be the season that determines Tagovailoa鈥檚 future in Miami. He鈥檚 missed time in three of the past four years. Though the 2020 first-round draft pick is an accurate passer and game manager, it鈥檚 fair to wonder if the upside of the Dolphins鈥 offense is capped because of his skill set.
What happens if he misses time in 2024? Grier failed to roster a competent backup last season, which ultimately cost Miami a playoff berth. Zach Wilson, whom the Jets drafted second overall in 2021, joined Miami this offseason after he spent one season as the No. 2 in Denver.
The Dolphins are counting on first-round draft choice Kenneth Grant, stretching during a rookie minicamp in May, to use his talents at defensive tackle to occupy blockers and help their edge rushers get to the quarterback.
Who鈥檚 new?
The Dolphins used two of their first three draft picks on offensive and defensive linemen, beginning in the first round with University of Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. He鈥檒l be stout against the run and occupy blockers to help their edge rushers get to the quarterback.
They also gave guard James Daniels a three-year, $24 million and spent a second-round pick on guard Jonah Savaiinaea to try to fix their interior offensive line. Daniels suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 with the Steelers last season.
Miami was 21st in rushing yards per game last season, after it ranked sixth in 2023. The Dolphins did not add a left tackle to replace Terron Armstead, who retired this offseason. Second-year tackle Patrick Paul is expected to win the job in training camp. He showed flashes of potential while filling in at left and right tackle as a rookie, but he lacks experience.
Also new
RB Alexander Mattison (Raiders), WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Titans), TE Pharaoh Brown (Seahawks), G Larry Borom (Bears), LB K.J. Britt (Buccaneers), LB Willie Gay Jr. (Saints), CB Artie Burns (Seahawks), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (Lions), CB Kendall Sheffield (Jets), S Ashtyn Davis (Jets), P Ryan Stonehouse (Titans) and LS Joe Cardona (Patriots).
Who鈥檚 gone?
RB Raheem Mostert (Raiders), QB Tyler Huntley (free agent), WR Braxton Berrios (Texans), TE Durham Smythe (Bears), TE Jack Stoll (Saints), OT Kendall Lamb (Eagles), G Robert Jones (Cowboys), edge Da鈥橲hawn Hand (Chargers), edge Emmanuel Ogbah (Jaguars), defensive end Calais Campbell (Cardinals), linebacker Anthony Walker (Buccaneers), CB Siran Neal (49ers) and S Javon Holland (Giants).
Key number
Tagovailoa led the NFL in completion percentage (72.9%) this season, and he faced the lowest pressure rate (22.1%), but the Dolphins used a variety of screen passes because their offensive line couldn鈥檛 block for their running backs.
What鈥檚 next?
Ramsey will be traded before Week 1 when his $19 million option bonus is due. In the meantime, he has worked out in Los Angeles while coaches around the NFL, most notably the Rams鈥 Sean McVay, are fielding questions about the disgruntled cornerback. If Ramsey leaves, Miami may start Storm Duck, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024, and fifth-round rookie Jason Marshall Jr. and nickel corner Kader Kohou.
The pass rush should be better 鈥 and Weaver earned the benefit of the doubt by getting the most out of a banged-up defense last season 鈥 but the Dolphins will have trouble stopping top quarterbacks like Josh Allen.
