Ranking the Miami Dolphins’ position groups from strongest to weakest
.JPG "Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill (10) and Cody Core (89) participate in drills during the NFL football team’s organized team activities at Baptist Health Training Complex in Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida, in preparation for their 2022-23 NFL season.")
During the past few years, the Dolphins have acquired massive draft capital to bring an influx of young talent to their roster. This offseason, the team used a league-leading amount of cap space to add a number of established veterans, most notably wide receiver Tyreek Hill and left tackle Terron Armstead.
The Dolphins close out their offseason workout program this week with their most skilled roster in years and one the franchise hopes will result in a playoff appearance for the first time since the 2016 season.
There’s talent and depth across the board but which positions are more solidified than others with a month until the start of training camp? Here is a ranking of the Dolphins’ position groups, from strongest to weakest.
Cornerback
For the past two seasons, the Dolphins’ cornerbacks have been the core of an aggressive defense. The ability of Xavien Howard and Byron Jones to play effective man coverage is the lifeblood for everything the unit does. Nik Needham has emerged as one of the better nickelbacks in the league and has the versatility to play inside or out. There are some questions about the depth beyond the top three players, but very few teams in the league have a better cornerback trio than the Dolphins.
Wide receiver
No Dolphins position group was upgraded more this offseason than wide receiver, as the team traded for Hill and then gave him a record-setting extension. Hill pairs with Waddle to form the fastest receiver duo in the NFL. While they have the speed to keep defenses alert, they should also excel on short to intermediate passes. Cedrick Wilson Jr. was also signed and is expected to be the top slot receiver. This group’s ceiling is a bit tied to the strides quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the offensive line can make with first-year head coach Mike McDaniel, but Hill and Waddle should give defenses fits every week.
Defensive line
With Christian Wilkins and Emmanuel Ogbah up front, the Dolphins have a pair of linemen who can stop the run and get after the passer. Some of Raekwon Davis’ contributions aren’t noticed because he takes on double-teams but the third-year player has room for improvement. Zach Sieler could start on many teams around the league but provides depth and was one of the most productive linemen last season in limited snaps.
Outside linebacker
Jaelan Phillips had an impressive year as a rookie and if he can round out his game — becoming more consistent against the run — he should only add to his 8.5-sack total with more playing time. Andrew Van Ginkel is an unsung hero on a defense filled with stars and projects as the outside linebacker opposite Phillips. The addition of Melvin Ingram III gives the defense another established pass rusher who can also defend the run. Brennan Scarlett started four games last season and adds depth at the position, especially against the run.
Safety
There’s star power at this position with Jevon Holland, and Brandon Jones serves as a servicable running mate. Jones is one the best blitzers at his position, and Holland’s ability to play all over the field is a boon for a defense that likes to disguise its looks. There’s a slight question regarding depth, with veteran Eric Rowe as the only accomplished backup, but it’s a strong group.
Running back
This position saw a face lift in the offseason with the addition of veterans Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel. Alec Ingold was also added to serve as the team’s fullback. Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed might be fighting for roster spots come July but have had moments in their young careers. There’s no feature back in this group but it’s a position with myriad skill sets for McDaniel in what is expected to be a run-centric offense.
Tight end
Mike Gesicki is one of the better tight ends in the league, and despite concerns about his fit in McDaniel’s offense, he’s a skilled pass-catcher and invaluable target for Tagovailoa. Durham Smythe had a career year in 2021 and has the ability to perform duties as a blocker or receiver. The X-factor of this group is second-year player Hunter Long, though. He was one of the most productive tight ends in college football at Boston College. There will be competition for playing time — Adam Shaheen and Cethan Carter are likely battling for roster spots — but Long could have a breakout of sorts with new position coach Jon Embree and an offense known for favoring tight ends.
Inside linebacker
If there was a weak spot of the Dolphins defense last season, it was at inside linebacker, where the team used a platoon of players next to starter Jerome Baker. This unit struggled at times against the the run, but there’s a bevy of speed with players such as Baker, Duke Riley and Sam Eguavoen. The defense could benefit from the addition of third-round pick Channing Tindall, who has the athleticism to be an every-down player in the future. The team will ease him into a role, however, with Elandon Roberts logging significant snaps on early downs. Riley was one of the top performers during organized team activities.
Quarterback
Many of the remaining concerns about the 2022 Dolphins center on quarterback. If anything, the additions around Tagvoailoa and the pairing of an offensive-minded head coach reveal his true standing in the league by the end of the season. Will he be a middling quarterback alongside a top-flight receiver and improved offensive line? Or is Tagovailoa’s trajectory more in line with that of draftmates Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert? Behind Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridegwater is a tested veteran capable of winning games in spot duty.
Offensive line
There’s no doubt the Dolphins improved their offensive line. When healthy, Terron Armstead is one of the best left tackles in the NFL. Connor Williams, who said he expects to play center as a Dolphin, could ultimately be an upgrade from the team’s several options last season. But major questions remain across the unit. How good will Williams, who hasn’t started an NFL game at center, be at the new position? Can a new coaching staff get Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg, two likely starters, to play up to their draft status? The Dolphins offense was hamstrung by struggles along the offensive line in 2021. This should be a better unit overall in 2022 but how much remains to be seen.
