Dolphins wide receivers star, but depth an issue. Who’s hot, who’s not after win vs. Jets
The Miami Dolphins cruised to another divisional win but were dealt a big blow with the loss of outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips to a season-ending Achilles injury.
Here’s a look at who’s hot — and who’s not — after Miami’s 34-13 win against the New York Jets on Black Friday.
Who’s hot
▪ Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle: Tyreek Hill remains the most dangerous wide receiver in the NFL. However, the Dolphins’ offense is at its best when both Hill and Jaylen Waddle can get a healthy dose of touches. That happened on Friday, as the two went over 100 receiving yards for the second time this season and the sixth time since they became teammates.
▪ Safety Jevon Holland: For much of the season, Holland has been an analytics darling as Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded safety. Secondary coach Renaldo Hill recently explained Holland’s value, despite a lack of splash plays.
“He’s the true quarterback” of the defense, Hill said. “He’s the maestro back there; he gets everyone lined up. He makes all the checks. Obviously, we know he can get the ball if needed. But right now, he’s been directing this and making sure that everybody’s in the right spot so we can play at a high level. And maybe the pitch count may not show it right now, but sometimes the numbers don’t really add up to what he brings to the table.”
That changed against the Jets, though, as Holland fielded quarterback Tim Boyle’s Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half and returned it 99 yards for a momentum-swinging pick-six. Before the score, a pair of interceptions from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gave the Jets a bit of life, but Holland’s play quickly put Miami back in control entering halftime.
▪ Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins: The fifth-year player’s price continues to go up by the game. He sacked Boyle twice, bringing his season total to a career-high six sacks. His tackles are down, but he’s become a force as a pass rusher, ranking 12th in ESPN’s pass rush win metric, defined as how often a player beats his blocker within 2.5 seconds.
Who’s not
▪ Linebacker depth: The one negative from a convincing divisional win was the season-ending Achilles injury Phillips sustained in the fourth quarter. Phillips was in the midst of his best ball after overcoming an early season injury that he was very transparent about in terms of how it affected his mental health.
The Dolphins have capable players to help fill the void of Phillips in Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah. Philips’ absence will have a domino effect, though. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has used Van Ginkel as an inside linebacker at times, but will probably have to lean more on Van Ginkel as an edge rusher for the rest of the season.
“When ‘Gink’ is not playing stack ‘backer, that means there’s very capable and ready — I think David Long [Jr.] will have to step up as well and play a role that he’s been thirsting for anyway,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “That’s why it’s kind of like a group of people. You don’t necessarily replace him, but it just gives different people opportunities and you kind of spread that out to do your best to compensate for that production loss.”
▪ Offensive tackle depth: The Dolphins are used to shuffling players along the offensive line, but in Friday’s game, Miami’s depth concerns got as dire as they’ve been all season. When Terron Armstead sustained a quad injury in the third quarter, Kion Smith had to enter the game. Austin Jackson’s ejection forced Lamm, who came into the game with a back injury, to enter the game in the fourth quarter.
McDaniel said Armstead is week to week with his injury, so the status of him and Lamm will be under a microscope as the Dolphins prepare for the Washington Commanders.
▪ Tua Tagovailoa’s ball security: The fourth-year quarterback is in the best season of his young career but with an increase in production has come an uptick in turnovers. Tagovailoa’s two interceptions against the Jets increased his season total to 10, which ties a career-high. In the last two games, he has four giveaways. Both of the picks came in the final minute of the first half and could have threatened the Dolphins’ control of the game, if not for Holland’s pick-six.
Against better opponents, such mistakes could have major consequences. After the game, Tagovailoa acknowledged he has to be more careful with the ball.
“I think it’s doing much more than what is asked,” he said. “Trying to be a little too aggressive on certain things. You just can’t do that. With that pick six, I basically — to look at it this way — kind of kept them in the game. Our defense played phenomenal up to that point and throughout the entire game. I just can’t do that.”
This story was originally published November 26, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
