NFL Notebook: 2025 Miami Dolphins Preview
The progress the Miami Dolphins seemed to be making came to a halt last year. A string of four straight winning seasons and two consecutive playoff appearances ended with an 8-9 finish. The Fish enter 2025 with no small amount of problems and seem to be embarking on a rebuilding project. But there is a foundation of talent that makes it risky to write them off.
DEFENSIVE DISRUPTORS UP FRONT; GAPING HOLES IN BACK
Miami’s defense ranked 10th in the NFL for points allowed last year and there are reasons to think it could be better. The Dolphins achieved that without Bradley Chubb, a solid outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme that returns from injury. The Dolphins made defense a priority in the draft when they used their first-round pick on Michigan tackle Kenneth Grant.
Chubb and Grant will be a part of a defensive front seven that includes another good edge player in Jaelan Phillips, a promising second-year linebacker in Chop Robinson and a pass-rushing end in Zach Sieler.
Miami has big problems on the corners. They traded Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. Yes, the Dolphins got Minkah Fitzpatrick back at free safety, but an average centerfielder in the secondary isn’t going to cover for what is a woeful situation everywhere else. It’s a good thing Miami can rush the passer, because if opposing quarterbacks can get comfortable, they shouldn’t have any problem picking this pass defense apart.
AN OFFENSE WITH A FRAGILE HEARTBEAT
De’Von Achane gives the Dolphins a reliable running back, as he averaged 4.5 yards per carry, and also caught 78 passes. He runs behind a line that is steady on the interior with center Aaron Brewer and guard James Daniels. Miami also used a second-round choice on guard Jonah Savaiinea to further strengthen the inside of their offensive front.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle make for steady targets at receiver, and Miami added Nick Westbrook-Ikine, who showed some field-stretching capabilities in limited duty with Cleveland last year.
That presumes a healthy quarterback to get these receivers the football and the durability of Tua Tagovailoa continues to be the issue that overshadows this entire organization. When he’s healthy, Tua is as good as there is. His 73 percent completion rate last season led the league. He stays away from mistakes, and a 7.2 yards-per-attempt is good enough.
What’s not good enough is only starting 11 games. Miami needs him on the field. That means he needs to be protected. And the tackle situation on the offensive line is awful. Opposing defenses will likely be able to do what they want on the edge. That doesn’t bode well for Tua’s ability to get the ball down the field on deep throws—something that wastes the game-breaking potential of Hill—and doesn’t even bode well for his ability to stay upright for a 17-game schedule.
OUTLOOK
The Dolphins have a defensive front that can be very disruptive, a quarterback who operates with precision and the potential for a running game. You can’t dismiss a team with those assets. But the problems outlined here are significant, and there’s no reason to think they can survive if Tua misses some games. And, based on past history, there’s no reason to think he won’t miss at least a few. Miami’s Over/Under for wins is 7.5, a sign of market pessimism. While I won’t write them off, that pessimism is also where I’m at.