A look at Dolphins’ offense, which could be among NFL’s best

The Miami Dolphins, under the guidance of second-year coach Mike McDaniel, are regarded as one of the most dangerous and exciting offenses in the NFL. 

Their speed at wide receiver and running back, accuracy at quarterback, and innovation at coach, makes them capable of turning any play into a touchdown, especially through the air.

The offensive line is the big question mark, but if it jells, watch out, these guys could light up scoreboards as well as anyone in the NFL.

Here’s a breakdown of the Dolphins’ likely starters on offense this season:  

QB Tua Tagovailoa

6 foot 1, 227 pounds; fourth season

The big thing is whether Tagovailoa can stay healthy after missing five and half games last season due to concussions. To that end, he added muscle and took jiu jitsu lessons in the offseason to learn how to fall properly and avoid concussions (tucking your chin to your chest when falling is among the first rules).

RB Raheem Mostert

5-10, 205; ninth

The 31-year-old Mostert had a career-best 891 yards rushing last season and was fourth on the team in receptions (31). He’ll share backfield duties with veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. and, most likely, rookie DeVon Achane, the third-round pick.

FB Alec Ingold

6-1, 232; fifth

Ingold is effective as a blocker, receiver (15 receptions, 105 yards, one touchdown in 2022) and special teams player. His 418 snaps from scrimmage (39.5%) were 15th on the team, and his 134 special teams snaps (29.6%) were 17th.

LT Terron Armstead

6-5, 305; 11th

When he’s available, he’s money. Armstead, who opened training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list while recovering from offseason knee surgery, earned his fourth Pro Bowl berth last season despite being slowed by toe, knee, pectoral and hip injuries. The concern is the 32-year-old has missed roughly 5.5 games per year the past seven years due to injury.

LG Liam Eichenberg

6-6, 306; third

If Eichenberg can be a solid starter, it would go a long way toward solidifying the offensive line. He had an injury-slowed season last year, but when players get into their third season, especially a second-round pick such as Eichenberg, organizations expect to see results. There’s a chance Isaiah Wynn will start at left guard over Eichenberg. Either way this position figures to be the weak link on the offensive line.

C Connor Williams

6-5, 312; sixth

Williams converted from guard last season, his first year with the Dolphins. He was the only player to play all 1,057 offensive snaps, and is a lynchpin offensive lineman along with Armstead and right guard Robert Hunt. Williams held out of offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp because he wants a new deal. But he said that won’t be a factor during the season. 

RG Robert Hunt

6-6, 330; fourth

Hunt played 1,056 offensive snaps last season, all but one, on his way to becoming someone who seems to have a Pro Bowl in his future. He combines football smarts with athleticism and good footwork to make himself essential personnel.

RT Austin Jackson

6-5, 320; fourth

Jackson, the 2020 first-round pick, only played two games last season due to ankle injuries, and he enters the season as a question mark. The big thing here is Jackson protects Tagovailoa’s blind side. Enough said.

TE Durham Smythe

6-6, 246; sixth

Smythe is exactly what the Dolphins want in a starter, meaning he’s a good blocker who has enough athleticism and skill to catch passes or take a direct snap in a short-yardage/goal-line situation, all of which he displayed last season. He had 15 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown, and two carries for 1 yard and one touchdown. No concerns here.

WR Tyreek Hill

5-10, 191; eighth

Saying Hill, the All Pro, is the key to the whole offense is like saying the ACL is a key ligament. It should go without saying. But there, we said it. Hill’s 119 receptions and 1,710 yards receiving were franchise records. He also had eight touchdowns. His goal this season is an NFL-record 2,000 yards receiving, and it seems reasonable.

WR Jaylen Waddle

5-10, 185; third season

Waddle has emerged as one of the NFL most dangerous playmakers. He had 75 receptions for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and shows no signs of going backward in 2023. He combines with Hill to form perhaps the best 1-2 receiving punch in the NFL.

**Braxton Berrios

5-9, 185; sixth

Berrios, the former University of Miami standout, comes over from the New York Jets, where he was an effective slot receiver as well as All Pro kickoff returner. He had a down year in 2022, but there’s no reason to think he can’t be effective in 2023.

**Since Berrios is a slot receiver, he will be on the field in certain formations and not necessarily be an every-down player on offense.