Grading the Dolphins’ 2022 roster. Where are the team’s strengths, weaknesses?

When Dolphins owner Stephen Ross last spoke to reporters in January, he praised the front office’s accumulation of young talent. Despite missing the playoffs by one win for the second consecutive season, Ross saw the team’s current state as a reboot — not a rebuild.

In the offseason, the Dolphins used cap space and draft capital to bring in several offensive veterans and retain the core of their defense.

The franchise enters the 2022 NFL season with its most talented roster in years, one with clear strengths in some spots and questions in others.

Offense

Quarterbacks | B-

One year later and not much has changed. 2021 was supposed to be the year the Dolphins found out whether Tua Tagovailoa could be a franchise quarterback. A tumultuous season left that unclear, but 2022 should be different. First-year head coach Mike McDaniel comes to Miami with an influx of talent and a quarterback-friendly scheme. Can Tagovailoa, already one of the league’s more accurate passers, throw the deep ball with consistency? Stay healthy for a full season? Play himself out of the tier of so-so signal-callers and closer to the level of elite quarterbacks? All those questions should be answered in Year 3. Behind Tagovailoa is Miami native Teddy Bridgewater, a serviceable backup with a similar skill set.

Running backs | B

The Dolphins had one of the worst rushing offenses in the league last year, and McDaniel quickly sought to fix that. The team signed Chase Edmonds from the Arizona Cardinals and Raheem Mostert, who excelled alongside McDaniel with the San Francisco 49ers. Both fit well in the team’s new scheme, but neither has served as a lead ball carrier. Fullback Alec Ingold was also signed, bringing a throwback element of physicality.

Tight ends | B-

All the focus has been on Mike Gesicki, a talented pass-catcher who struggles to block, a necessity in McDaniel’s offense. Gesicki signed the $10.9 million franchise tag, keeping him in Miami for at least one more season. But his blocking woes could lead to fewer snaps and more playing time for Durham Smythe, who has the position group’s best combination of catching-blocking skills, and Hunter Long, a 2021 third-round pick who didn’t play much as a rookie.

Wide receivers | A

The Dolphins had only one consistent wide receiver amid a series of injuries in 2021. And that lone player, Jaylen Waddle, was limited in an offense that prioritized short passing. Miami traded for six-time Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill, forming arguably the fastest receiver duo in the NFL. The two aren’t just deep threats, though, but nuanced route runners who should make life much easier for Tagovailoa. The team also signed Cedrick Wilson Jr., one of the league’s top slot receivers with the Dallas Cowboys last season. Trent Sherfield, whom McDaniel brought from San Francisco, and fourth-round pick Erik Ezukanma could work their way into an offense that should use many more three-receiver sets than the previous season.

Offensive line | C+

The offensive trenches have long been a source of frustration in South Florida. Last year’s unit was rated the league’s worst pass-blocking unit by ESPN. The Dolphins have tried to fix the group, using several Day 1 and Day 2 draft picks on linemen in recent years. The front office switched its process this past offseason, signing Terron Armstead, a two-time Pro Bowler, and Connor Williams, who has 51 career starts and projects as the starting center. For this unit to really improve, the Dolphins need their young players to take a step forward. Robert Hunt proved himself to be a starting-caliber right guard in 2021. The development of Austin Jackson, now at right tackle, and Liam Eichenberg, now at left guard, will be key.

Defense

Defensive line | B+

There’s no star among this deep group, but that could change by the end of the season. Edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah has two consecutive seasons of nine sacks, and tackle Christian Wilkins is coming off a career year. Jaelan Phillips is a breakout candidate after recording 8.5 sacks as a rookie. Elsewhere, Melvin Ingram III is a sturdy presence entering his 11th season. Zach Sieler is one of the best backup linemen in the league and nose tackle Raekwon Davis remains an integral piece of the run defense.

Linebackers | B-

There’s no true three-down linebacker here, but the whole could be greater than the sum of its parts. Jerome Baker excels as a blitzer, while Elandon Roberts is a stout run defender. Duke Riley does a bit of everything. The group’s wild card is third-round pick Channing Tindall, who possesses a blend of speed and physicality that could be a boon for the defense.

Cornerbacks | A-

The Dolphins have a strong trio of Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Nik Needham but depth is a concern. Jones, who was put on the reserve/PUP list, will miss the first four games after offseason surgery on his lower leg. Jones’ absence impacts the rest of the position room and thus the defense, which relies on airtight coverage to use an assortment of blitzes. With Jones out, Needham could move to the boundary, which would leave a hole in the slot. Just like last season, the defense’s success hinges on the availability — and performance — of the top corners.

Safeties | B

The Dolphins have a rising star in Jevon Holland, who can play anywhere on the field. Brandon Jones is a capable secondary mate but better closer to the line of scrimmage than in coverage. Eric Rowe is a reliable veteran who can be used in packages to cover tight ends. There’s no clear backup to Holland, who is quickly becoming one of the team’s most valuable players.

Specialists | B

Kicker Jason Sanders had a down year in 2021, continuing a mysterious trend of struggles in odd-numbered years. If he continues that pattern he’s on track for a bounce-back effort, and has looked like it in the summer. Thomas Morstead replaces Michael Palardy at punter and should provide more consistency there. McDaniel has left open the possibility of using his top playmakers — Hill, Waddle, Mostert — as returners. It could add another layer of explosiveness — and injury risk.

Overall grade | B

The Dolphins have the talent at premium positions — wide receiver, cornerback, offensive tackle, edge rusher — to be competitive each week and could be a legitimate playoff team with more consistent play from Tagovailoa. Depth questions, however, are real at cornerback and offensive line. An injury or two could derail a promising season.

This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 6:15 AM.

Daniel Oyefusi

Miami Herald

Daniel Oyefusi covers the Dolphins for the Miami Herald. A native of Towson, Maryland, he graduated from the University of Maryland: College Park. Previously, he covered the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.