Not many, including myself, expected the Miami Dolphins to be in the playoff conversation last year. Brian Flores cemented himself as one of the league’s best head coaches when he showed that his coaching style is enough to get his rag tag crew to a ten win season. As for the outlook in 2021, this isn’t much of a rag tag crew at all. After a killer free agency and draft, this team is looking to complete. The defense last year was pretty stout and got better but the real concern in 2020 was the ability to put up points. The Dolphins couldn’t decide if they wanted to play Tua or Fitz and they lacked explosion. There were far too many games where the fins just came up short down the stretch. So let’s take an in depth look at this Dolphins offense and see if they fixed their problems from last year.
QB Tua Tagovailoa
Last years biggest question mark was 2020 first round pick Tua Tagovailoa. If you ask me, the offense was super restricting in regards to Tua and, even though it was fun to watch, switching Tua and Ryan Fitzpatrick when things got tough was terrible for him. Now that Tua is in and former OC Chan Gailey is out, Tua and the offense can flourish.
RB Myles Gaskin
The biggest question mark entering the 2021 season is Myles Gaskin. After neglecting the running back position in both the 2020 and the 2021 NFL draft, Myles Gaskin is set to be the starter. He put up 584 rushing yards last season while sharing the load with Salvon Ahmed. If he can take the next step and can establish a threatening rushing attack, this Dolphins offense can really open up.
WR DeVante Parker
Personally, I have never been much of a Parker fan. I don’t think he is a real WR1 but I don’t think he will have to be once Jaylen Waddle emerges. DeVante is one of the best jump ball guys in the league and has great size for in the red zone. He played his best when Tua was playing so I expect a nice year from him.
WR Will Fuller V
Despite the fact that he’ll be suspended for the first week, Fuller is gonna put in sixteen good weeks down in Miami. Will Fuller V is a burner who has proved that he can make tough catches down the field. He put up 879 receiving yards in just 11 games and was on track to 1,270+ receiving yards had he played a full season. I expect Fuller to be one of Tua’s favorite targets next year.
WR Jaylen Waddle
Waddle is one of the most electric players in recent memory to come out of college. Jaylen is a threat to score on every play and is so much more than just a speedy deep threat. He can run every route and knows how to use his body to make tough catches. The sky is the limit for Jaylen and I expect him to reach his full potential in this offense.
TE Mike Gesicki
If you ask me, Gesicki is one of the most underrated players in the league regardless of position. He can block with the best of them and is one of the top receiving tight ends in the league. He put up 703 receiving yards while making highlight reel catches all season long. He is reliable and so much more than a safety blanket.
LT Austin Jackson
Miami grabbed Jackson 18th overall in the 2020 NFL draft in hopes that he could become the next great USC tackle prospect. Luckily for Austin, he isn’t tasked with blocking Tua’s blindside as most left tackles do, because Tagovailoa is a lefty. I expect Jackson to take the next step this year and improve in his pass blocking.
LG Solomon Kindley
One of last years biggest surprises was 2020 fourth rounder Solomon Kindley. The former Georgia Bulldog is a menace in both facets of blocking and proved to be a mauler inside. As previously mentioned he isn’t blocking Tua’s blindside which was a big help to him getting his bearings as a rookie. In his sophomore campaign, Kindley will look to cement himself as one of the best in the league.
C Matt Skura
Theres a new center in town for the fins and it is former Raven Matt Skura. While with the Ravens, Skura had an above average career and finds a much better scheme fit with the Dolphins. He’ll be great as an anchor for the young gun Tua Tagovailoa.
RG Robert Hunt
I never liked the idea of playing Hunt at right tackle especially because it is Tua’s blindside but I absolutely love the idea of Hunt at right guard. During his time as a Ragin’ Cajun, Hunt had a superb career as a guard and showed that he has a high ceiling at the guard position. I think he can be one of the best guards in the league with proper coaching.
RT Liam Eichenberg
Miami was able to grab Eichenberg (someone who I had a first round grade on) in the second round and this is one of my favorite player-team fits in the whole draft. Right tackle is especially important in the fins offense because it is Tua’s blindside. Luckily, they grabbed one of the best blockers in the draft who has great technique and the prestigious Notre Dame lineman pedigree. Ten out of ten pick and fit.
Conclusion
The Dolphins are looking explosive and powerful with this unit and will look to compete with the juggernaut Bills for an AFC East title. To me, this is a playoff caliber offense who could burst onto the scene with a good season from Tua and Gaskin. Whether or not they can dethrone Josh Allen and the Bills is yet to be seen but what Brian Flores and Chris Grier are cooking up down in South Beach is impressive on paper.