There’s one thing we know for sure about the 2024 Miami Dolphins, and that’s that they won’t be as talented as the 2023 Miami Dolphins.
A lot of talent walked out the door this offseason.
But this year’s Dolphins could be better than last year’s Dolphins if they use their talent differently.
We’re talking about philosophical change.
We could even use the term “philosophical tweak” in the case of the Dolphins’ offense.
The offense, which finished No 1 in the league, is good.
Changes aren’t necessarily needed.
But the offense needs to be better in a few ways.
Miami’s offense is way too reliant on passing to All Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill and fellow speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
The offense needs to approach situations differently.
Here’s one thought that hints at exciting potential change: Does the acquisition of rookie running back Jaylen Wright, the fourth-round pick from Tennessee, mean coach Mike McDaniel will consciously commit to not abandoning the run?
That’d be using your talent differently.
The Dolphins will have a stable of at least five running backs, including Wright, in training camp, led by a Pro Bowl selection (Raheem Mostert), a player who established an NFL rookie record of 7.8 yards per carry last season (De’Von Achane), a slashing veteran (Jeff Wilson Jr.), and a young power back (Chris Brooks). Four will likely make the 53-man roster.
If you have that much running back talent in the backfield and don’t take full advantage during games, you’re short-changing your offense.
But let’s look at the big picture, the view of the 2024 Dolphins from 30,000 feet.
If you think about it, the Dolphins almost have to use their talent differently, right?
What they’ve been doing hasn’t worked, as evidenced by an 0-2 playoff record, a two-year record of 3-12 against playoff teams, and averaging 16 points per game in seven games against playoff teams last season.
And now they’ll be a less-talented team.
But the thing that excites me about this Dolphins season is change, or the potential for change, especially offensively.
Again, we’re talking about philosophical change, pledging to do things a bit differently, thinking a bit differently, approaching situations a bit differently.
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, for example, has said he wants to use All Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey as a chess piece.
That’s a philosophical change. That’s different from what we saw last season. It’s exciting. It offers the potential to improve on the league’s No. 10 defense.
OK, it’s not the same defense because, yes, a lot of talent walked out the door, and there are significant injuries.
But you get the idea.
The strategy with Ramsey is to use the talent differently to make a good defense even better.
McDaniel, an offensive innovator, will likely do the same. After all, it’s a new season.
But to what extent will we see change from the Dolphins’ offense?
Perhaps the acquisition of tight end Jonnu Smith, the free agent signee from Atlanta who had 50 receptions last season, means there will be more of a commitment to throw to a receiving tight end in situations such as short yardage, third down and goal line.
Hopefully the Dolphins take advantage of his skills.
That’d be using the tight end talent differently.
And we can all join in on this one: hopefully the Dolphins will utilize Brooks, or some other short-yardage specialist this season.
Again, that’d be using your talent differently.
Think about this, too — when the Dolphins don’t run the ball in short-yardage situations they’re also not taking full advantage of the skills of Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold, an excellent blocker.
You want another exciting tweak?
Acquire, and utilize, a big-bodied wide receiver to use in specific situations.
That’d be different.
Going back to the defense, we think Weaver will play more man-to-man than last season and utilize the blitz more frequently, mostly in specific situations.
That’s exciting, and it’s using your talent differently.
My season projection remains the same.
I think the Dolphins make the playoffs, but I’m unsure whether they’ll win a playoff game.
I liked that the Dolphins seemed to get some toughness and aggression in free agency, with linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker Jr., center Aaron Brewer and safety Jordan Poyer.
I liked that the Dolphins drafted edge rusher Chop Robinson in the first round and offensive tackle Patrick Paul in the second round.
I didn’t like seeing all that veteran, homegrown talent walk out the door in free agency.
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Cornerback Xavien Howard. Guard Robert Hunt. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel. Safety Brandon Jones. You know the list.
And, no, the Dolphins haven’t brought anything close to an equal amount of talent back to the locker room.
But they can still be a better team.
Overall, I like what I’ve seen from the Dolphins as far as offseason acquisitions.
Yeah, there are things I haven’t favored. But they have limited funds and resources. They made some hard decisions.
Many of those changes couldn’t be avoided.
I’m hoping the same is true philosophically for the Dolphins.