MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins had one of the oldest rosters in the NFL last season.
Suddenly, the Dolphins have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL entering 2025.
In fact, it’s the seventh-youngest roster in the NFL, according to research by bookies.com.
Gone are cagey such veterans as Terron Armstead, Calais Campbell, Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Poyer and Raheem Mostert.
In are youngsters Jonah Savaiinaea, Kenneth Grant, Jaylen Wright, Patrick Paul and Malik Washington.
“I’m always adjusting to the listener because my job is to reach the listener and produce the best product,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said on the first day of training camp. “There’s different conversations when your team’s overall average age changes, but a conversation needs to be had with both parties regardless.”
McDaniel should be able to connect well with players who are younger because development was one of his trademarks as a young and rising coach.
“I think you have to be very aware of your audience to give them the proper leadership, know what to focus on, and know what they don’t need to hear or is too much,” McDaniel said. “It’s been an exciting process because I think we have a lot of young guys that are embracing the tutelage from the older veterans.”
Miami Dolphins roster features training camp youth movement
There are a few obvious pros and cons to moving older players out and younger players in.
Older players are more prone to missing practice and games. Older players may be more set in their ways and resistant to change.
Younger players may need more time in the film room and in walk-throughs. They may also need the wise guidance of players who have have seen it and done it.
There are in-their-prime veterans who will be asked to move into more of a leadership role, including Austin Jackson, Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Chubb, for example, has really taken 22-year-old edge rusher Chop Robinson under his wing.
What is Chubb’s message to the team?
“Let guys know that this is not promised and each and every day you’ve got to earn it,” Chubb, 29, said. “God is fortunate enough to put us in this position, so we’ve just got to take advantage of it.”
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins suddenly one of youngest NFL teams. How Mike McDaniel plans to adjust.
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
