The Miami Dolphins are extensively thought-about to have one of the gifted collections of skill-position gamers the NFL has to supply. Nonetheless, they’ve additionally constructed a popularity as a playoff pretender over the previous two seasons, a label they’re aiming to shed in 2024.
Listed here are the franchise’s most precious folks for 2024.
5. Operating again Raheem Mostert
Miami emerged as essentially the most environment friendly dashing offense within the league final season, rating first amongst groups in yards per carry (5.1), thanks largely to Mostert.
Whereas there is a perception that working backs start to say no after turning 27, Mostert proved he is an outlier, breaking out in his age-31 season for Miami. In 15 video games, the previous undrafted free agent rushed for a career-high 1,012 yards whereas averaging 4.8 yards per try. Moreover, Mostert scored 21 whole touchdowns (18 dashing and three receiving), tied for essentially the most within the NFL with 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, the reigning Offensive Participant of the 12 months.
For his efforts, the Dolphins restructured Mostert’s contract earlier this offseason, protecting him in Miami by means of the 2025 season. Regardless that 2023 third-round choose De’Von Achane and fourth-round rookie Jaylen Wright are anticipated to separate carries with him, Mostert figures to be Miami’s lead again in 2024. It is unrealistic to anticipate Mostert to copy his 2023 output, however limiting his workload might assist guarantee Miami repeats as one of many NFL’s prime dashing assaults this season.
4. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey
Arguably the NFL’s prime cornerback over the previous eight seasons, the three-time first-team All-Professional choice continues to be thought-about the most effective gamers at his place coming into 2024.
Regardless of tearing his meniscus in coaching camp final July, Ramsey, who the Rams traded to Miami in March 2023, managed to return to the sector by Week 8. In 10 regular-season video games for the Dolphins, Ramsey had three interceptions and 5 go breakups whereas permitting simply 260 yards in protection, which helped him earn his seventh Professional Bowl nod.
Though Ramsey impressed throughout his debut season in Miami, he is hoping to make far more of an affect in 2024 beneath new DC Anthony Weaver. After primarily taking part in on the boundary in 2023, Ramsey goals to showcase his versatility this season and be utilized in totally different roles throughout the defensive backfield. Attributable to accidents and free-agent departures, Miami’s protection will possible take a step again this season, however maybe giving Ramsey extra freedom can offset a few of these losses.
3. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa, the fifth total choose within the 2020 NFL Draft, has steadily improved all through his first 4 seasons within the league. Accidents and a tumultuous relationship with former head coach Brian Flores contributed to Tagovailoa being thought-about a possible bust early in his profession. Nonetheless, the hiring of HC Mike McDaniel and the addition of WR Tyreek Hill has helped Tagovailoa grow to be one of many NFL’s higher signal-callers over the previous two seasons.
In 2023, Tagovailoa loved his best — and healthiest — season as a professional, finishing 69.3% of his passes for a league-leading 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In flip, Miami rewarded
Tagovailoa with a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension earlier this offseason, making him the fourth-highest-paid quarterback within the NFL yearly.
Whereas he is being paid like an elite quarterback, Tagovailoa will nonetheless must show he is worthy of his price ticket this season by taking part in nicely in opposition to harder competitors, significantly late within the season. In spite of everything, Miami posted a 1-6 document in opposition to groups with profitable information final 12 months, with its high-powered offense averaging simply 16.1 factors per recreation in these contests.
2. Head coach Mike McDaniel
The quirky, wise-cracking McDaniel has but to win a playoff recreation since being employed as Dolphins head coach in 2022, however he is undoubtedly one of many brightest offensive minds in soccer.
McDaniel, who beforehand served as San Francisco’s offensive coordinator, introduced his personal model of the Shanahan offensive scheme to Miami, and the outcomes have not disillusioned. After inheriting an offense that ranked 22nd in scoring, McDaniel has helped the Dolphins end eleventh (23.4) and second (29.2) in factors per recreation, respectively, during the last two seasons.
Even so, regardless of main the staff to 2 playoff berths and altering Miami’s tradition for the higher, McDaniel must silence critics this season if he intends to remain off the recent seat. The Dolphins have skilled late-season collapses in every of their two seasons beneath McDaniel.
Miami hasn’t fared nicely away from Laborious Rock Stadium, particularly when the climate turns chilly, although McDaniel and his staff may have the chance to vary the narrative in 2024. The Dolphins will probably be on the highway for 4 of their last six video games this season, together with journeys to Inexperienced Bay, Cleveland and the Jets, all of which might characteristic chilly circumstances.
1. Broad receiver Tyreek Hill
The primary extensive receiver to be voted because the No. 1 participant within the NFL Prime 100 listing’s 14-year historical past, Hill is certainly essentially the most beneficial Miami Dolphin. Though the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have gained two Tremendous Bowl titles since buying and selling Hill to Miami in 2022, the eight-time Professional Bowler has flourished with the Dolphins.
Hill has set profession highs in receiving yards throughout every of the previous two seasons, amassing 1,710 in 2022 and 1,799 final 12 months. Not solely are Hill’s 3,509 receiving yards essentially the most within the NFL since 2022, however he additionally ranks second amongst wideouts in receptions (238) and third in touchdowns (20) throughout that span.
Whereas he is not essentially giving up on the two,000-yard receiving aim he set for himself previous to final season, Hill has team-oriented objectives in thoughts for 2024.
“I would like us to win a playoff recreation,” Hill informed reporters final month. “I’d love that. We’re going to begin with that, then transferring ahead, like persevering with to construct on that. You understand, we’re going to maneuver as much as the Tremendous Bowl. So it’s like one step at a time.”
The 30-year-old has already solidified himself as one of the electrifying extensive receivers of his technology. Nonetheless, if he can carry a Tremendous Bowl to Miami, he’ll certainly be remembered as one of many best wideouts of all time.
