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Tag: Tyreek Hill

2023 Miami Dolphins Outlook

Tua Tagovailoa

2023 Miami Dolphins Outlook The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs. Up first in our extensive NFL and fantasy football previews is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Miami Dolphins Outlook. — PROJECTIONS — — COACHING — It’s been 14 seasons since the Miami Dolphins last won the AFC East. They posted a winning record in each of the past three years (10-6, 9-8, and 9-8) while making the postseason in 2022 for only the third time since 2001. Mike McDaniel looked the part of a successful NFL head coach in his rookie season. The concussion issues at quarterback led to Miami being undermanned behind center in too many matchups. From 2017 to 2020 with the 49ers, McDaniel worked as their run game coordinator before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021. McDaniel has 16 seasons of coaching experience in the NFL. Frank Smith made the jump from run game coordinator and offensive line coach with the Chargers to Miami’s offensive coordinator last season. His NFL career started in 2010 with the Saints as their assistant offensive line coach. He’s been in the league for 13 seasons. The Dolphins finished sixth in points scored (397) after ranking outside the top 20 in 11 of the previous 12 years. Their 11th-place finish in offensive yards was Miami’s best showing since 2014.  Vic Fangio takes over as Miami’s defensive coordinator. After struggling in his first head coaching job in the NFL for Denver over three seasons (19-30), he worked as a consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles last year. Fangio has been working in the NFL since 1986. Fangio boasts 19 years of experience at the defensive coordinator position. Last year Miami ranked 24th in points allowed (399) and 18th in yards allowed.  The top two defensive players added via free agency last year were LB David Long and S DeShon Elliott. Both players should help Miami’s run defense while projecting to start. Long improved last season in pass coverage, but he doesn’t have a sack over 50 games in the NFL (four interceptions over the past two years).   The Dolphins moved on from QB Teddy Bridgewater (FA), TE Mike Gesicki (NE), WR Trent Sherfield (BUF), and LB Melvin Engram (FA). — DRAFT — Miami only had four draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, divided by adding one defensive player (CB Cam Smith – 2nd) and three offensive players (RB Devon Achane – 3rd, WR Elijah Higgins – 6th, and T Ryan Hayes – 7th).  Smith brings elite speed (4.43 40-yard dash) and quickness to the Dolphins’ secondary, but he must add more strength and bulk to handle physical wideouts in the NFL and add value in run support. His vision and reads grade well when moving forward to the line of scrimmage, helping his ability to make winning plays. Smith must improve his technique to have success in tight man-to-man coverage. Speed is a clear priority for Miami at the running back position. Devone Achane ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL combined. Most teams shied away from him due to his size (5’8” and 190 lbs.). But he is willing to fight for yards between the tackles. Achane runs with patience and vision with the footwork to make winning cuts in tight quarters. He will make defenses pay with long runs if given daylight at the line of scrimmage. Spacing is needed to win the passing game while having risk in pass protection. Achane should upgrade the Dolphins’ return game in his rookie year.  My first thought when researching Higgins was WR Mike Evans due to his size (6’3” and 235 lbs.), but he comes to the Dolphins with a much lower resume. His 40-yard dash (4.54) graded well when considering his build, and Higgins brings a high floor in his route running. At the very least, he gives Miami a bigger third target at wideout with a chance to slide into some action at the tight-end position. His ability to block will help late in games when the Dolphins play from the lead. — OFFENSIVE LINE — Hayes gives Miami depth at left tackle. He played on one of the best offensive lines in college over the past two seasons. The next step in his development is improving vs. power rushers, especially if asked to move to guard with Miami and handle speed rushers outside his frame. Hayes brings a solid foundation to the NFL with the hands, technique, and athletic ability to get better. Miami fell to 31st in the NFL in rushing attempts (390), leading to the 25th ranking in rushing yards (1,686) with 12 rushing touchdowns. Their rushers had 10 runs of 20 yards or more, with one gaining more than 40 yards. Miami’s backs averaged 4.3 yards per rush, up from 3.5 in 2021. Miami’s offensive line allowed 35 sacks (9th). The Dolphins climbed to 4th in passing yards (4,765) with 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Miami led the NFL in yards per pass attempt (8.2), with the most catches (14) of 40 yards or more. LT Terron Armstead remains a top player in pass blocking, but he missed four games last season with toe and pectoral issues. Last year he allowed only one sack with minimal pressure on the quarterback. His run blocking tends to be a slight end. LG Liam Eichenberg showed growth last season while remaining a below-par player in all areas. He missed seven games in 2022 due to a knee injury. In each year in the NFL, C Connor Williams improved as a run blocker, highlighted by an exceptional season in 2022. His pass protection skill skills are now in a winning area. RG Robert Hunt is a steady, improving player with three seasons of experience with Miami. Based on