Here’s a list of things that can be said with conviction about this 2025 Miami Dolphins team as it is being tinkered with this week with the knowledge and understanding that this franchise has to produce a winning season because everyone in the organization’s job is on the line.
We know who Tua Tagovailoa is as a starting NFL quarterback. He rarely wastes throws, usually takes care of the football, is efficient when it comes to converting third downs and has solid pocket presence.
Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Zach Wilson (0), Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and Quinn Ewers (14), left to right, huddle with quarterbacks and pass game coordinator Derrell Bevell during pre-game drills before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
However, he’s the most fragile quarterback in the NFL, and every time he gets hit we will hold our breath.
Unfortunately, Zach Wilson hasn’t changed much from the quarterback who crashed and burned as the New York Jets’ starter. He’s a slow processor, and when his footwork is off, so are his passes.
Miami won’t make Quinn Ewers the No. 2 quarterback because of the $6 million invested in Wilson this season, but it should because if the investment made into both quarterbacks is equal, Ewers’ training camp and preseason shows hints he possesses more upside.
But this offense will go as far as the running game takes it. Problem is, Miami’s lack of tailback depth heading into cut day is problematic.
De’Von Achane will have a special season if he can stay healthy, but we’re already off to a bad start because of the calf injury, which shelved him for two weeks and might have him play the season opener at less than 100%.
Ollie Gordon II, the Dolphins’ 2025 sixth-round pick, has shown promise in the preseason. He’s a powerful runner with decent hands, and the ability to pass protect. But Gordon might know 30% of the Dolphins’ playbook heading into the Sept. 7 season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
That means Miami’s coaches will have to water down the offense for Gordon if he’s forced to handle anything more than a backup role.
Miami’s receiver unit only takes a back seat to the edge rushers in terms of quality depth.
The Dolphins have four receivers in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington and Dee Eskridge who can make a housecall on any given play. Problem is, they are all 5-foot-10 or under, which makes Miami one of the smallest receiver units in the NFL, if not the smallest.
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Jaylen Waddle (17) and Tyreek Hill (10) as they prepare to stretch during training camp at the Baptist Health Training Complex on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
If Hill is still an elite player, and tight end Darren Waller can produce half the production Jonnu Smith gave the Dolphins last year, the passing game will have a vicious bite.
The Dolphins will go with youngsters if the talent is comparable to a veteran.
This team isn’t about today, it’s about tomorrow. That means it’s only a matter of time before Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers overtake Benito Jones, and explains why Jason Marshall Jr. should be viewed as the starting nickel cornerback despite Mike Hilton’s eight years of experience playing that spot.
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (33) walks off the field after the Dolphins defeat Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Speaking of the cornerbacks, with Hilton released on Monday, the blind will be leading the blind in the cornerback room because that unit lacks experience.
Of the cornerbacks expected to survive Tuesday’s cut day, Kendall Sheffield (49 games and 20 starts in five seasons) and Jack Jones (42 games and 21 starts in three seasons) are the most seasoned. And exactly what have they done in their NFL careers?
It doesn’t help that cornerback coach Mathieu Araujo is in just his second season as the lead coach in that unit.
A healthy Patrick Paul is one of the most promising youngsters the Dolphins have on the roster.
He’s 6-7, 326 pounds, which means he’s a mountain of a man who possesses strength and athleticism. While Paul might struggle against seasoned, accomplished pass rushers such as Myles Garrett and J.J. Watts, what he has shown us so far in Year 2 hints he should be viewed as a foundational player for this franchise.
Just pray Paul stays healthy because there isn’t a backup left tackle presently on the Dolphins roster.
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel walks pass offensive lineman Jalen McKenzie (75) and Patrick Paul (52) during practice at the Miami Dolphins Training Camp in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Depth in the offensive line room is troublesome — and that’s putting it kindly — because of the knee injury Liam Eichenberg is rehabbing, which will likely force him to begin the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list.
The Dolphins’ decision-makers have done a poor job fortifying last year’s most troublesome unit — yet again — and we’re at the point now where there will be a significant drop-off if a backup or two has to start more than a handful of games.
And knowing this unit’s injury history through the years, that’s nearly a certainty.
So view the offensive line room as a work in progress, because that unit will be why the Dolphins succeed or fail on offense in 2025.
The edge rushers will set the tone for the defense, led by Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson and Matthew Judon. Pair those four with Zach Sieler and the Dolphins possess five players who could produce double-digit sacks if they get the appropriate snaps.
To manage that, and to deliver a top-five defense like defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver had last season, the Dolphins need those five players, along with inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to stay healthy this season.
Miami’s defense will give this franchise a chance every Sunday (Monday and Thursdays too), but it’s on coach Mike McDaniel and this offense, which is laboring to shed the finesse label, to hold up its end of the equation.
But if it doesn’t add up, and Miami gets the status quo…... we all know what time it is.