After a very frustrating 2024 season, the Miami Dolphins offense is looking to revitalize itself. With Training Camp starting this week for the Miami Dolphins, there is a big question mark over the entire offense. Can Tua Tagovailoa stay healthy this year? How will the offensive line perform? Can the line keep Tua on his feet? Can Mike McDaniel figure out the run game? There are many more questions that will be answered in the coming weeks as preseason starts soon. Below is an preview:
Quarterback: Could this be the last dance for Tua Tagovailoa?
In 2020, The Miami Dolphins took arguably the best Quarterback to ever come out of the University of Alabama in Tua Tagovailoa with the 5th overall pick. Tua’s first 2 seasons in Miami were injury ridden and flat out mediocre. Questions began to arise if Tua was this teams future? That all changed once Mike McDaniel came into the picture and helped resurrect Tua’s career in 2022.
Since McDaniel arrived, Tua led the League in yards gained per pass attempt in 2022 (8.9 yards), passing yards in 2023 (4,624 yards), and completion percentage in 2024 (72.9%). When Tua is on the field healthy, he has shown his elite ability of being a franchise Quarterback, but the best ability in football is availability. Tagovailoa’s injury history is nothing new but his health for this season is a must in order for the 2025 Dolphins to succeed.
Backing up Tua is Zach Wilson (free-agent signing from Denver). The former 2021 #2 pick in 2021 has had his ups and downs since being drafted by the New York Jets, but this could be a chance for Wilson to revive his career in Miami. Wilson, who is one of the most athletic Quarterbacks (in regard to arm talent) the Dolphins locker room has had in quite some time, can be a good fit for the Quarterback room as a veteran.
Quinn Ewers who was a standout Quarterback at the University of Texas and was one of the two 7th round picks the Dolphins had in this past springs draft, will be fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster but will most likely be place on the practice squad to develop and learn.
Prediction:
- Final roster: Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson
- Practice Squad: Quinn Ewers
Offensive Line: Refurnished and Rebuilt
With the retirement of Terron Armstead, Miami’s offensive line will see the 2024 2nd round pick Patrick Paul take the mantle. In 2024, the offensive line was an area of struggle in the run game in which affected the entire offense. In response to this, Miami added:
- James Daniels (G) – free agent signing from Pittsburgh
- Jonah Savaiinaea (T) – 2nd round pick in 2025 draft
- Larry Borom (T) – free agent singing from Chicago
- Liam Eichenberg (G) – resigned 2021 2nd round pick
Depth has been an area of concern in the past but after the deals and signings Chris Grier has done, the offensive line will be a group to watch during training camp and preseason. With the Daniels signing, James Daniels will be good to go for the season after tearing his Achilles in week 4 of the 2024 season.
With the departure of Kendall Lamm and Robert Jones in free agency, the Dolphins drafted Guard Jonah Savaiinaea with the 37th pick in the 2nd round of the 2025 draft who had just gotten his rookie deal signed 2 days ago. The big Guard from the University of Arizona will likely start at RG once the season starts. The Guard and Tackle position will be looked at with a close eye in the coming days.
Prediction:
- Final Roster: Patrick Paul, James Daniels, Aaron Brewer, Jonah Savaiinaea, Austin Jackson, Kion Smith, Jackson Carman, Andrew Meyer, Liam Eichenberg, and Larry Borom.
- Practice Squad: Ryan Hayes, Josh Priebe
Running Backs: Mix of Speed and Brute Strength
De’von Achane will lead the running back room again for the second straight year this year as the starter. The speedy Swiss army knife had 1499 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns last year even with a suspect offense last season (907 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns) (592 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns). Achane is as reliable as they come and will be a big part of our offense again.
Behind him fighting for RB2 are 2nd year back Jaylen Wright out of the University of Tennesse and Alexander Mattinson (free agent from Las Vegas). The Dolphins also selected Ollie Gordon II in the 6th round from Oklahoma State.
Wright, who is also a speedster, saw some action and showed some flashes last season, appearing in 15 games. He had his best game against the Patriots where he had 86 rushing yards with 13 attempts. Mattinson, who the Dolphins signed in March, is a 220-pound bruiser style back, and could help the Dolphins in short yardage situations this year. This signing is a very underrated signing which could be a huge plus for the Dolphins.
Last but not least is rookie back Ollie Gordon II. In 2023, he won the coveted Doak Walker Award, was chosen unanimously All-American, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and exploded with 1,732 running yards and 20+ touchdowns. Even though we did see a dip in production in 2024, Dolphins fans should still be very excited about the 6’1 226-pound Ollie Gordon II. The Dolphins also signed undrafted free agent Nate Noel after the draft. Born in Miami and went to Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Noel will have a chance to show coaches his ability even though he is in a packed running back room.
Prediction:
- Final Roster: De’von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Alexander Mattinson
- Practice Squad: Ollie Gordon II
Wide Receiver: Possible Undrafted Receiver Makes Noise?
The Cheetah, Tyreek Hill is back for his 4th year as WR1 and even though he had a career low year last season, fans should still be looking forward to seeing Hill burning defenses and doing backflips in end zones this season. Since joining the Dolphins in 2022, Hill has led the league in receiving yards with 4,468 yards. A healthy Tua with the cheetah on the field together will send out fear into opposing defenses and result in the high flying offense we saw in 2022 and 2023.
Next is the penguin Jaylen Waddle. With 104 catches during the 2021 season, Jaylen Waddle holds the record for the most receptions by a rookie in Miami Dolphins history. With that total, he also broke the NFL rookie record for receptions in a single season in 2021. Going into his 5th year with the team, Waddle is looking to bounce back with a vengeance. Having career-low stats in 2024, the penguin and cheetah are both looking to get back into the conversation as the league’s most dangerous duo.
The Dolphins signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in the offseason from the Titans. The 6’2 tall receiver led the Titans in receiving touchdowns in 2024, adding Nick will be a huge addition for McDaniel and Tua. He will be a red zone threat as Miami gets a tall pass catcher which was a need. Malik Washington is coming back after a productive end of the season last year. The 2nd year receiver out of Virginia will have more opportunities to showcase his skills and talent on offense and on special teams.
The Dolphins have signed numerous undrafted free agents but the player that sticks out to me is 6’4 receiver Andrew Armstrong. Armstrong, who came out of Arkansas, had a very productive Senior season in 2024. After going unranked coming out of high school, Armstrong committed to Texas A&M–Commerce (FCS) where he redshirted. In 2023 he transferred to Arkansas where he made an immediate impact in 2023, he led the Razorbacks with 56 receptions, 764 yards, and 5 TDs across 12 starts.
The 2024 season was when Andrew Armstrong made a name for himself, putting up five 100‑yard games, and receiving First-Team All‑SEC (AP) and Second-Team All‑SEC (Coaches) honors. After leading the SEC in receptions and receiving yards, Andrew finished his senior season with 78 receptions, 1140 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown. Fans should definitely keep their eye on #19 with “Armstrong” on the back.
Prediction:
- Final Roster: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Malik Washington, Dee Eskridge, Andrew Armstrong
- Practice Squad: Tahj Washington, Erik Ezukanma, Tarik Black
Tight End: Most Interesting Tight End Group in the League?
On June 30th, the Miami Dolphins traded franchise record setting Jonnu Smith to the Steelers, leaving tight end a position that needed to be addressed. A day later the Dolphins traded for Darren Waller from the Giants. Even though he retired, he still was under contract with the New York Giants. The Dolphins sent over a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Darren Waller and a 2027 seventh-round pick. In the offseason, The Dolphins signed Pharoah Brown to a one year deal. Brown who is known for his blocking , will be a contributor to the Dolphins offense.
Julian Hill, who is also known for his blocking, is returning along with Hayden Rucci, and Tanner Connor. Jalin Conyers, who is an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, where he was named part of second team All-Big 12, will have a chance to fight to make the roster and practice squad.
Prediction:
- 53-man: Darren Waller, Pharoah Brown, Julian Hill
- Practice Squad: Hayden Rucci
Next, on Wednesday July 23 the Dolphins will take the field for the start of training camp. Then Saturday the 26th fans will be able to watch the team for the first time in six months. Will the 2025 Miami Dolphins showcase the highlight reel offense they once had? By September 7th, we will have the answer.
Photo Credits: The Palm Beach Post, Miami Dolphins, Newsweek, NFL, Phin Phanatic, Yahoo Sports, HawgBeat, The New Yorker, The Sporting News
