After a disappointing 2024 season, the Miami Dolphins got to work with an active offseason. While many of the same names will try to get the team back on track, several newcomers are looking to propel Miami further.
Did general manager Chris Greer do enough up and down the depth chart to put the Dolphins in position to compete for a playoff spot?
Here’s one burning question at each position group for the Dolphins entering the 2025 season:
QB: Can Tua Tagovailoa stay healthy?
If last season proved one thing for the Dolphins, it’s how much they need Tagovailoa to stay available. The Dolphins’ starting quarterback missed six games last season, four of them after he suffered a concussion in the second game of the season. The Dolphins went 2-4 without Tagovailoa, which can be feasibly chalked up as the primary reason for the Dolphins falling short of their playoff goals.
Tagovailoa has started in every game in only one of his first five seasons in the NFL. That 2023 campaign resulted in a 11-6 record and a trip to the playoffs with Tagovailoa passing for a league best 4,624 yards.
In his first five years, Tagovailoa has produced a 38-24 record as a starting quarterback. He’s also never had a losing record as a starter in any of his first five years. It’s simple: the Dolphins need Tagovailoa to stay healthy if they want any chance at making the playoffs.
RB: How will rookie Ollie Gordon II respond to a significant role in September?
Mike McDaniel has consistently used multiple running backs in his offense. But Miami’s running game went from being one of the offense’s biggest strengths in 2023 to a major weakness in 2024. With Raheem Mostert no longer on the team, the Dolphins need a new backup to speedster De’Von Achane.
At first, it seemed second year back Jaylen Wright was the obvious choice, but an injury is going to keep him out for at least Week 1 and possibly all of September. The Dolphins also lost newcomer Alexander Mattison to a season-ending neck injury suffered in preseason. The next man up is rookie Gordon who showed some impressive flashes in the preseason.
Gordon finished the preseason with 126 rushing yards on 26 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. The rookie appears ready to take on regular season competition. The question becomes how he will respond to NFL competition when it counts.
WR: Is Tyreek Hill still the player he once was?
Hill went from his best ever statistical season in 2023 to one of his worst in 2024. Last season was the first since his rookie year in 2016 that he failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving yard mark. The drop-off in production was largely due to Tagovailoa’s absence, and Hill was also dealing with a wrist injury throughout the season that eventually required offseason surgery.
While Hill’s 959 yards and six touchdowns would be productive numbers for most, it was a far from his 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns the year before.
This will be a big season for Hill to prove he’s still the game-changer who was the No. 1 player on the NFL’s Top 100 list last year.
TE: Can Darren Waller replace the production of Jonnu Smith?
In the midst of a disappointing season last year for the Dolphins, Smith put together the best year of his career. He broke multiple Dolphins franchise records by a tight end, finishing with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
But after Smith looked for a new contract with the Dolphins, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami replaced him by acquiring Darren Waller from the Giants. Waller is coming off a one-year retirement stint, and is looking to revitalize his career with the Dolphins.
The move to get Waller shows the Dolphins are still serious about having a pass-catching tight end on this offense. Waller produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020. But it’s been a long time since Waller was viewed as one of the best tight ends in football.
Topping what Smith did last year will be tough, but if Waller is physically and mentally ready to step into the role, he could provide Tagovailoa with another dangerous weapon.
OL: Has this unit improved from last year?
General manager Chris Grier made it clear after the 2024 season that it was time to invest in some offensive linemen.
Both guard positions will feature new starters as free agent acquisition James Daniels and second-round rookie Jonah Savaiinaea will replace Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg. Also, Patrick Paul will take over at left tackle following Terron Armstead’s retirement. Right tackle Austin Jackson and center Aaron Brewer will remain in their roles.
The improvement of this group is paramount if the Dolphins offense is going to take a leap forward. The health of Tua Tagovailoa and resurgence of the running game are key to a successful season, and it will take an improved offensive line to achieve that.
DL: How will Kenneth Grant’s game translate to the NFL?
After Calais Campbell departed for Arizona in free agency, the Dolphins were quick to fill the void on the defensive line by selecting Kenneth Grant at No. 13 overall in the draft.
Grant will be expected to take on a starting role right away in his NFL career, and it’s a very important one on this Miami front seven. So far, the Dolphins have been impressed with Grant’s effort and motor in practices.
“I think it sends a particular message to the rest of the team and opponents when that guy is 340 (pounds) and doing that,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said. “I think it’s just a credit to everything we’ve seen on tape and Dolphins fans should get excited when people with that mass are moving that way. He impacts the game sometimes without even hitting the stat sheet.”
Grant will play alongside Zach Sieler, who has put together back-to-back 10 sack seasons. Combined with the loaded edge rusher group, Grant is in a great situation to make an impact right away.
EDGE: Will Chop Robinson ascend higher?
Robinson is the future of the Dolphins defense and is expected to become one of the star players on this roster.
But how much better will he be after recording six sacks as a rookie? The returns of both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb should help, as opposing offenses will have to divert some of their attention elsewhere.
A double-digit sack season for Robinson would be a strong step in the right direction. However, Phillips called Robinson a future NFL Defensive Player of. the Year candidate. A season that validates that lofty praise would catapult the Dolphins defense to new heights.
LB: How will K.J. Britt and Willie Gay Jr. be used?
The Dolphins seem set to roll with Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson at inside linebacker, the same duo that finished out last season.
But Dodson’s spot wasn’t guaranteed after the Dolphins added veterans K.J. Britt and Willie Gay Jr in free agency. Both Britt and Gay have recent starting experience with their previous teams. The latter emerged as a training camp star and may not take long to make an impact.
Inside linebacker isn’t a position that often sees rotation. But it’s hard to imagine Weaver not wanting to get Gay and/or Britt on the field.
CB: Who will defend opposing No. 1 receivers?
Without Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller and Kader Kohou, the Dolphins will be looking at an entirely new group of starting cornerbacks in 2025. T
So who will take on opposing No. 1 receivers? Miami recently signed former Bills corner Rasul Douglas, who’s been a consistent starter the past couple years.
The Dolphins also have second year corner Storm Duck who got a chance to fill in for the injured Kendall Fuller multiple times last season. Duck will have to show some progression in his game if he is to be relied upon against top targets.
There’s also Jack Jones, who has shown promise early in his NFL career, but plenty of inconsistency too.
Douglas is currently the most experienced and accomplished cornerback the Dolphins have and should be viewed as the top corner on the roster for now.
S: Can Minkah Fitzpatrick make his teammates better?
Fitzpatrick returned to the Dolphins more than seven years after he was taken No. 11 overall by the team in the 2018 NFL draft. The former Steelers safety will effectively replace Jevon Holland, who signed with the Giants this past free agency.
Not only will Fitzpatrick attempt to get back to his All-Pro play, but he’s immediately the leader of an unheralded, largely inexperienced group in his first year back. The Dolphins will have new starters at every spot in the secondary. Without question, Fitzpatrick has the most accomplished NFL career on the unit by a wide margin.
If Fitzpatrick is able to lift up this group to assist the loaded front seven, this Miami defense could end up being one of the best in the league.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: One burning question at each position for the Dolphins ahead of the 2025 season
Reporting by James Trefry, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
