The 2023 season has just ended, and on March 13, the 2024 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes this opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the offseason. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agents to extend? Which recruits to observe? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Miami Dolphins. You will find the files for each team on this page.
Should we see the glass half empty or half full in 2023 in Miami? The question deserves to be asked. Because despite constant progress, an attack that remains as explosive as ever, a more opportunistic defense and certain historic encounters (like the famous 70 points scored against Denver), the mental flaws of the Floridians have resurfaced. Particularly during the main contested posters, which somewhat tarnished the good past year. The Dolphins are therefore currently stuck at their current glass ceiling: the first round of the playoffs.
Overall, the group is quality, but with the departure of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to Philadelphia and the end of the contracts of certain notable starters, vigilance will be required. Mike McDaniel and his General Manager Chris Grier must not miss this turn in such a competitive American conference. What elements can residents of the southeastern United States potentially rely on?
The captains
- Tyreek Hill (WR)
- Tua Tagovailoa (QB)
- Bradley Chubb (EDGE)
It's difficult to dispute: since his arrival in Miami, Tyreek Hill has composed a shock duo with Tua Tagovailoa. Which allowed him to post a 1,700-yard season for the second year in a row. As a bonus, the two men even connected 13 times in the end zone.
Despite a notable number of interceptions in 2023 (14), Tagovailoa clearly seems the right man to improve his team's offensive system. head coach. One of the best completion percentages (69%); one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the aerial field (4,627 yards); one of the largest numbers of big plays on the season (12); one of the best first attempt percentages in the league (39%)… Lots of dizzying numbers to emphasize the growing importance of the former Alabama strongman, despite injuries notables like Jaylen Waddle or De'Von Achane. To recite nobody else but them …
On defense, Bradley Chubb's injury against Baltimore was heartbreaking with a view to the playoffs. But he returns with the desire to remain the defensive leader of this squad, both on the field, with his 11 sacks in 2023, and in the locker room.
The undesirables
- Jeff Wilson (RB)
- Jerome Baker (LB)
As of this writing, the Dolphins have already made some important decisions. It must be said that the salary cap, although constantly increasing, is not currently the most lenient with Floridians. As a result, defensive executives Emmanuel Ogbah (with immediate effect) and Xavien Howard (in the near future) were invited to look elsewhere. Other cuts could follow, like Jeff Wilson Jr., third option on Miami's ground game and which would allow a saving of three million.
Jerome Baker's situation is more complex on defense. An indestructible starter, the former Ohio State player has dealt with injuries quite a bit. His contractual situation would offer more flexibility to the local organization with an option to make him a free agent at the end of the 2024 season. A season where he would still receive 14 million dollars, but would only cost 4 in the event of departure. So it’s dilemma time for Chris Grier.
Jaelan Phillips, soon at the crossroads?
The summer man
Jaelan Phillips
Emmanuel Ogbah cut, Andrew Van Ginkel potentially very courted… The situation could quickly get complicated for Miami in the trenches. Even more so with injuries to Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips last year. The latter has never really done well in the Dolphins jersey, but his torn Achilles tendon could unfortunately redistribute the cards in the mind of the franchise. Because it is in the spring that Miami will have to decide to lift the fifth optional year of Phillips' contract. A player who, it should be remembered, already had a serious injury history at university.
In any case, number 15 will be even more anticipated than in his debut and will have to make Miami's first defensive curtain a reference. Especially with question marks over the potential returns of starters on the interior of this defensive line.
The main free agents
- Christian Wilkins (DL)
- Connor Williams (OL)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (LB)
- DeShon Elliott (S)
- Robert Hunt (L)
Others : Cedrick Wilson (WR), Braxton Berrios (WR), Chase Claypool (WR), Kendall Lamm (OT), Isaiah Wynn (G), Robert Jones (G), Raekwon Davis (DL), Eli Apple (CB), Brandon Jones (S), Jake Bailey (P).
With 9 sacks this season, Christian Wilkins confirmed that he was an essential pawn in this defense. But, given the financial situation of the Dolphins, a return still remains hypothetical. On offense, Connor Williams and Robert Hunt were effective in the running game but were not spared from the cascade of injuries within the line in 2023.
With DeShon Elliott and Brandon Jones at the end of their contract, Jevon Holland finds himself, at the time of writing, the only safety on the roster. The return of one of the two players clearly cannot be ruled out.
The top 5 needs
- Defensive line
- Offensive line
- Safety
- Recipient
- Edge rusher
Needs necessarily linked to the uncertainty regarding current free agents. For the receiver and edge rusher positions, it is above all a question of finding depth, following the injuries to Waddle, Chubb or Phillips. On the offensive line, all positions can be intriguing, inside and out, with the capricious health of Terron Armstead and the end of the contract of his usual replacement in 2023, Kendall Lamm.
Target
Kevin Dotson
Speaking of the offensive line, here is a bet that could be interesting, depending on the finances of the Florida franchise. Caught in the middle of a traffic jam of interior linemen in Pittsburgh, Kevin Dotson clearly revived in the second half of last season, during his trade to the Los Angeles Rams. Formidable on the ground game, in a system clearly similar to that put in place by Sean McVay, he could be a viable option if, for example, he were to cost less than Robert Hunt for example. But given the first cuts made and the infirmary too often filled in this position, Miami must clearly invest in this sector.
New blood
Byron Myrphy II (DT, Texas)
Less imposing, from a size point of view, than Christian Wilkins, Byron Murphy II nevertheless has attributes largely similar to that of number 94. Extremely explosive at snap, despite his 140 kilos on the scale, Byron Murphy II is a permanent threat as soon as he is in motion, thanks to an already very refined technique and a formidable speed of execution when entering the pocket. This notably allowed him to collect 5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss in 2023, within a Texas defensive front line which nevertheless often rotated in terms of rotation. If Miami wants to maintain a threatening profile in the pass rush, alongside Zach Sieler, the Longhorn has his say.
Other picks: Tyler Guyton (OT), Darius Robinson (DL), Cooper DeJean (DB), Brenden Rice (WR).
