2022 NFL Team Preview: Miami Dolphins -

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It is a new era in Miami for the Dolphins. Entering the 2022 season, there is a new head coach and some shiny new weapons for him to use. With those changes, there is arguably no room for any more disappointment from their former first-round quarterback selection. This team has been close to making the playoffs in the last couple of seasons. Can the Dolphins finally get over the hump in 2022?

Coaching Change Surrounded By Off-Field Drama

While there is a lot of excitement surrounding the new head coach, there was definitely some controversy that the team could not escape after last season. Brian Flores was fired as head coach, despite two straight winning seasons. He filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and a few teams following the firing, alleging racial discrimination. The lawsuit also mentioned that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross pressured Flores to deliberately lose games, offering the head coach $100,000 for each loss. He was later hired as a defensive assistant on Mike Tomlin’s staff for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Just last week, Miami was punished for certain acts. The investigation found that Miami was not necessarily trying to intentionally lose games. Ross’s comments were seen as “joking” or “not serious.” However, the Dolphins did lose a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton while they were employed by other teams. Ross was fined $1.5 million and suspended through October 17, 2022. Tampering can be serious. But, was Miami really punished enough? They could have been targeted to be punished instantly and lighter, possibly, given the timing of the initial Deshaun Watson suspension news last week.

Miami Makes McDaniel Head Coach

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The Dolphins eventually made their decision to hire Mike McDaniel as their new head coach. He had previously been a part of the San Franciso 49ers coaching staff during the past five seasons. Four of those years were spent as the run game coordinator (2017-20). Last year, McDaniel was elevated to offensive coordinator. Coming from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, McDaniel’s offensive scheme centers around a wide zone run scheme and a west coast offense passing scheme. With a wide zone running scheme, the goal is to get a horizontal push by the offensive line upfront, allowing the running back to pick and choose their spots. The west coast passing scheme can attack the opposing defense with quick passes or in the intermediate passing game, by focusing on using slants and crossing routes. Will the first-time head coach turn some heads in 2022?

Key Additions/Re-Signings

Coming off of a busy offseason, let’s look into some of the transactions made by the Miami Dolphins. Here are some of their key additions or re-signings for 2022.

Additions

Re-Signings

DE Emmanuel Ogbah (4 years/$65 million)
TE Durham Smythe (2 years/$7 million)
LB Elandon Roberts (1 year/$2.75 million)
LB Brennan Scarlett (1 year/$1.185 million)

Key Losses

Let’s quickly look into some key names that the Dolphins lost from their roster this offseason. Albeit, most of these names are likely not as major of losses as what other teams endured.

Can Offense Live Up To Potential Juggernaut Status?

We already touched on the offensive scheme of McDaniel and what Miami will look like schematically. Meanwhile, let’s look into the storylines to follow on the Dolphins offense.

Tua Getting One Last Shot?

It is not fair to blame Tua Tagovailoa for all of the struggles that he has gone through. Overall, Miami has never truly allowed him to progress within the offense. He has been shadowed into certain throws and seeing specific routes time and time again. Moreover, Tagovailoa has been at the mercy of horrid offensive line play.

Tagovailoa is now set up with an elite wide receiver in Hill. The offense scheme is tailor-made for his passing style and comfort in RPO concepts. In the meantime, Tagovailoa will have to prove that he can win with consistency. There have been flashes. Yet, coming through in the most crucial moments has been hit or miss for Tagovailoa. If Tua cannot come through in 2022, there is no guarantee that he is the unquestioned Dolphins starting quarterback going into next season.

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Running Back By Committee?

It is hard to pinpoint who will be the starting running back on the Dolphins offense. Miami signed three veteran running backs, as highlighted above. It is a group that is filled with no true bell cow running back. Perhaps, Mostert has the most experience in that sort of role. Injury questions cloud his possible role, though. Edmonds was an explosive play spark in Arizona. But, he never constantly handled the heavy workload of a lead runner. Michel may not provide much at this point, too. If anything, the Georgia product may be able to win you some tough yards in between the tackles. The likelihood is that Mostert and Edmonds will lead the way, with an emphasis on using a running back by committee approach.

Speed Demons

The Dolphins already had one of the fastest young wide receivers in Jaylen Waddle. Now with the addition of Hill, Miami has the chance to unleash their speed demons relentlessly against opposing defenses. Waddle’s 104 receptions last year set a new single-season record for most receptions by a rookie wide receiver. Add in Hill, who averaged 79.8 receptions, 1,105 receiving yards, 13.7 yards per reception and 9.3 touchdowns during his six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. With some of those being minimized seasons, due to usage and injury, Hill could realistically average larger numbers in Miami. The wide receiver depth may be a bit questionable behind the speed demon duo. However, Dolphins fans have to be encouraged to have this unique pairing.

Can Mike Stake His Claim?

Among the other pass catchers, tight end Mike Gesicki will be fascinating to watch this season. Outside of receiving touchdowns, his production has steadily increased over the course of his career. For example, Gesicki set new single-season career highs in targets (112), receptions (73) and receiving yards (780) last season in the Miami offense. The Dolphins opted to franchise tag him this offseason. He quickly signed his tender, locking him in for a guaranteed salary of $10.931 million in 2022.

The quirky thing is, especially with the franchise tag being applied, Gesicki has not been used as a traditional tight end. He has mainly taken snaps out wide or in the slot. Very rarely, has he been used as an in-line tight end. That has become even more prevalent since Tagovailoa became the starting quarterback. How will he be used in the new scheme? Can he and Tua still maintain the chemistry that they have built? Even with his glimpses of success, it may be hard to envision the Dolphins committing to Gesicki long-term.

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Defense Still Stands To Be Among NFL’s Stingiest Units

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Over the last couple of years, the Dolphins have become one of the NFL’s most aggressive and commanding defenses to face. Miami has frustrated quarterbacks with their ability to pressure in a variety of ways from all angles. On the other hand, this secondary has been airtight. It takes precision and patience alike to get the better of the Dolphins defense for 60 minutes each week.

Pressure Point

The addition of Ingram and the re-signing of Ogbah gives Miami two explosive, long and powerful pass rushers on the edges. Jaelan Phillips is a breakout candidate and could possibly become a double-digit sack guy in 2022. Up the middle, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins looks to provide pop and short area burst to push the pocket.

On the second level, Jerome Baker remains to be an underrated focal point. He can wear many different hats for the Dolphins. Miami can lean on him to blitz, corral the run, or cover passes over the middle. With his toughness and leadership, the Dolphins are in good hands and have a mentor set in stone for the younger linebackers.

Turnover Machine

At defensive back, Xavien Howard continues to produce as likely a top five cornerback in the league. His 27 interceptions since entering the league in 2016 are the most in the NFL. He narrowly tops names like JC Jackson (25 interceptions), Marcus Peters (23 interceptions), Kevin Byard (23 interceptions) and Justin Simmons (21 interceptions) in that span. Jevon Holland was a menace as a rookie safety last season. He hopes to build off of that hot start. Finally, Nik Needham has carved out a role as a pesty nickel cornerback.

Be on the lookout for more 2022 NFL team previews here at Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.