NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
This might be a make-it-or-break-it year for the current Miami Dolphins regime. Despite initial success, the Dolphins are still struggling in the same key areas they have been for years. Yes, the offense might be as explosive as it’s ever been under Tua Tagovailoa’s play at quarterback. However, they’re still struggling to run the ball, they’re still rebuilding their offensive line, and they’ve yet to provide solid long-term answers at the linebacker position. What was Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity again? If you look it up, it probably has a picture of the Miami Dolphins logo next to it.
So how do Chris Grier, Mike McDaniel, and company fix the same problem they’ve had for years? Having 10 picks in this year’s NFL Draft is a good start. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they haven’t exactly been draft experts. There have been huge successes, but also just as many failures. They’ve done a great job of bringing talent in but equally lose talent when the contracts are up. That’s the nature of the NFL, but at some point, Miami has to have consistency and long-term answers. So, where do they start?
The Case For Offense
Plenty of mock drafts have the Miami Dolphins selecting DBs in the first round. Everyone knows Chris Grier and company love to find themselves a good DB. They’ve been chasing Xavien Howard’s replacement for years now, but eventually, they’ll need one for Jalen Ramsay, too. Yet, the 2024 season proved something that the Miami Dolphins need to take note of. If you look at all the teams who made the playoffs last season, seven of them had running backs in the top 10. Can you make the playoffs without a top running back? Sure, half of them did, but if you want a chance at competing, a balanced and less predictable offense is the key.
Then of course, the health and safety of QB Tua Tagovailoa. 2024 offered the Miami Dolphins another hard lesson they are still yet to learn. Keep Tua healthy! The entire season was derailed the minute QB1 wasn’t able to go. If Miami can keep Tua both on the field and upright, they’ve got a much better chance at winning football games. Their first-round pick should easily be the less flashy offensive lineman.
The Case For Defense
Despite being one of the better defenses the Dolphins have seen in years, this unit is all too decimated by injuries, and their depth isn’t much better. Bradley Chubb was to be a key part of their defense but never made it back on the field last year. Jaelen Phillips went down and lost a key speedy guy along their offensive line. Chop Robinson came in and filled a void, while Zach Sieler continued to be a staple in their line play. Calais Campbell was the heart and soul of the defense leadership, and still, the Miami Dolphins appear to be letting him walk.
As previously mentioned, the Dolphins still need to fix their defensive back positions. They lost Jevon Holland this offseason, something they couldn’t afford to do from an on-field perspective. They’re already thin at playmakers at the safety position and now need to fill the void there. Even if they didn’t lose Holland, they needed to find a playmaker. On top of the fact that Jalen Ramsey can’t play both sides of the field for them. They need to find his “every down” counterpart on the opposite side of the football. Cam Smith and Storm Duck have been situational guys, but they aren’t the answer beyond giving starters a few plays off unless they can make huge strides this offseason. Arguably, their first-round pick should easily be a DB.
So, which side of the football will be their focus this off-season? A case can be made for improvements on both sides of the football, and neither side can seem to stay healthy enough to keep them in a deep playoff hunt. Will the Miami Dolphins choose an offensive or defensive player in the first round to make an immediate impact on their unit?
