MIAMI - The NFL bye week isn’t just a time for players to rest their bodies and get their minds off football. It’s also a time for each team’s front office and coaching staff to do a thorough self-scout, an evaluation of their team and what changes can be made to improve the season’s outcome with what’s left on the schedule. The Miami Dolphins, which exit the bye week with a 4-7 record, seemingly need a total reset based on how the 2025 squad has played because there isn’t a single unit that has met the expectations I had placed on them entering this critical season. Here’s how I would evaluate the Dolphins heading into this crucial six-game stretch, where Miami needs to win five games to produce a winning record and possibly win all six to earn a playoff berth.
Offense: It’s been a while since the Dolphins’ offense was lighting the league on fire, ranked among the best units in 2022 and 2023. This season, the Dolphins - who lost two starting offensive linemen in the season opener and Tyreek Hill after game four - possess the 26th-ranked offense in scoring (20.5) and the 24th in yards gained (300.4). Tua Tagovailoa is a shell of the quarterback he was in his 2023 Pro Bowl season, and there’s growing concern that hip issues have decimated his athleticism. The one thing he’s usually been is careful with the football, but for most of this season he’s led the NFL in interceptions. De’Von Achane is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season, and the implementation of a six-person offensive line has jump-started Miami’s run game and the entire offense over the past month. It will be interesting to see how the offense evolves when tight end Darren Waller (pectoral) and offensive linemen Austin Jackson (foot) and James Daniel (pectoral) return. Grade: D
Defense: Miami’s defense ranks 23rd in points allowed per game (24.5), 29th against the run (142.6 rushing yards allowed per game), 26th in third-down defense (41.9% conversion rate) and 20th in yards allowed per game (349.8). Fifteen defenses have created more turnovers than Miami (12), eight teams have produced more than Miami’s 21 sacks and only the Washington Commanders allow a worse passer rating to opposing quarterbacks (109.5) heading into Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. That means there isn’t one area on defense where the Dolphins have excelled this season. Every aspect of this unit needs to tighten up. Grade: F
Special Teams: Craig Auckerman’s unit has shown significant improvement from the group Danny Crossman coached the past couple of seasons under Brian Flores and Mike McDaniel, and that’s despite losing kicker Jason Sanders to a hip injury before the season started. But special teams has contributed to a couple of the team’s fourth-quarter losses, and the Dolphins need better coverage in the return game. Grade: C-plus
Captains Bradley Chubb, Jordyn Brooks and Aaron Brewer have made significant improvements as team leaders, but the Dolphins need more from Tagovailoa, who had an embarrassing incident when questioned about whether his teammates were fully committed to turning the season around after a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jaylen Waddle and Achane also should be doing more on the leadership front. Losing Hill, the team’s emotional spark plug, was a shock to Miami’s system, and the team had to move offensive coordinator Frank Smith from the booth to the field to address the energy and confidence void Hill’s absence created. Grade: D-plus
Rookie Class: Miami’s entire 2025 draft class struggled out of the gate, having the kind of growing pains and making the type of mistakes that cost teams wins. But the group slowly and steadily began improving as the season progressed, and we’ve all witnessed the growth of Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Jason Marshall Jr., Dante Trader Jr., Jonah Savaiinaea and Ollie Gordon II. They have all proven they belong in the NFL, but the Dolphins need a couple of those rookies to become difference-makers. Grade: C-minus
Coaching: Mike McDaniel has been creative and inventive in his four seasons, but his ability to make halftime and in-game adjustments needs work. He also needs to do a better job communicating with his players, the media and the fan base. The defense has fallen short of expectations, and that might cost Anthony Weaver a head-coaching opportunity this cycle. Player development has been inconsistent over the past four seasons, and at this point that’s on the coaching staff, whose young players have been fairly stagnant. Grade: C-minus
Midseason MVP: Achane is 100 yards away from rushing for 1,000 for the first time in his career, leads the Dolphins in receptions (54) and leads the team with nine touchdowns. Only four skill players - San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey, Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor, Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson and Buffalo’s James Cook - have more offensive yards than Achane heading into Sunday’s games. If Achane can finish the season healthy and productive, he’ll likely be in position to demand a substantial raise from the $1.5 million he’s scheduled to make in 2026, the final year of his rookie deal.
Most Improved: Patrick Paul went from inconsistent rookie to franchise left tackle in one offseason. It’s likely the most significant improvement this franchise has seen in more than a decade. He’s been a force in the run and passing game, exhibiting many of the traits Miami’s evaluators saw at the University of Houston. If Paul stays on this trajectory, he’ll eventually become one of the NFL’s highest-paid left tackles.
Needs the Most Improvement: Savaiinaea was viewed as one of the 10 can’t-miss offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. That’s why the Dolphins gave up valuable draft assets to move up in the second round to select him. The problem is that the former Arizona standout wasn’t well coached in college and is now struggling with technique after being moved from the right side - where he primarily played - to the left. At this point, Savaiinaea is rated as one of the NFL’s worst starting offensive linemen and needs to show significant improvement over the final six weeks.
Unit of concern: No team would thrive after losing a weapon like Hill, who was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before suffering a career-threatening left knee injury against the Jets. But the Dolphins’ receiver unit has also been limited by poor talent evaluation during former general manager Chris Grier’s tenure. At this point, all Tagovailoa has to rely on are Waddle and Achane. Another pass catcher needs to step up and become a consistent contributor who can beat single coverage.