2025 Miami Dolphins Preview

Following a strong 2023 season (11-6) with consecutive playoff appearances, the Miami Dolphins lost their offensive edge. They dropped to 22nd in points scored (345) and 18th in offensive yards, a stark contrast to their second and first rankings in those categories the previous year. Consequently, the Dolphins finished with their worst record (8-9) since 2019.

Head coach Mike McDaniel, who has won 28 of his 51 games in three seasons with Miami, is still seeking his first playoff win (0-2). Before joining the Dolphins, McDaniel served as the 49ers’ run game coordinator from 2017 to 2020 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021, bringing 18 seasons of NFL coaching experience.

The defense is led by Anthony Weaver, who has coached in the NFL since 2012, primarily with defensive lines. From 2021 to 2023, Weaver was the Ravens’ defensive line coach and assistant head coach, helping their defense rank fourth in yards allowed while conceding 364 points (10th).

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith joined Miami in 2022 from the Chargers, where he was run game coordinator and offensive line coach. His NFL coaching career began in 2010 with the Saints as an assistant offensive line coach, accumulating 15 seasons in the league.

Offense

Last season, the Dolphins executed 591 passing plays compared to 448 in the run game. They averaged just 6.8 yards per pass attempt, resulting in 4,036 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Their offensive line allowed 43 sacks. The run game also faltered, with 448 carries for 1,795 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.

Quarterbacks

Tua Tagovailoa, MIA

Entering 2023 with concussion concerns, Tagovailoa played all 17 games for the first time, achieving career highs in passing yards (4,624), touchdowns (29), and interceptions (14). His stats nearly matched his prior year’s pace, but his final three games were lackluster, averaging 203 passing yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.

Last season, his yards per attempt dropped from 8.3 to 7.2, though his completion rate hit a career-high 72.9. He threw at least one touchdown in all 11 starts but surpassed two scores in only two games (288/3 and 317/4). From Weeks 11 to 14, he averaged 325 passing yards with a 75.1% completion rate. However, he missed four early games due to another concussion and the final two weeks with a hip injury.

Fantasy Outlook: Miami’s pass-catching talent at running back, wide receiver, and tight end offers potential, but health and synergy are critical for a higher offensive ranking. Tagovailoa averaged 19.97 fantasy points in 2024 over his 11 matchups, positioning him as a backend top 12 quarterback. His injury risk and down season place him in the QB2/QB3 range, making him a potential value pick in 2025.

Other Options: Zack Wilson, Quinn Ewers

Running Backs

Miami’s running backs led the NFL with 114 catches on 130 targets, gaining 876 yards (3rd) and six touchdowns. They also had 398 rushes for 1,604 yards and 10 touchdowns.

De’Von Achane, MIA

Achane missed Week 1 in his rookie season and had minimal impact in Week 2 (nine combined yards, one catch). Over his next three games, he exploded for 18/203/2 with four catches for 30 yards and two scores, 8/101/2 with three catches for 19 yards, and 11/151/1 with one catch for 14 yards, including four plays of 40+ yards. A knee injury sidelined him for nearly six weeks.

In his final six games, he gained 339 yards on 64 carries with three touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 126 yards and one score, with standout games in Week 13 (17/73/2, three catches for 30 yards) and Week 17 (14/107, four catches for 30 yards and one touchdown). Achane received RB1 snaps in four games.

With Raheem Mostert declining in 2024, Achane handled 281 touches, including 78 catches for 592 yards and six touchdowns on 87 targets. His 203 carries—nearly double his 2023 total (103)—led to a career-high 907 rushing yards and six scores. He posted three high-impact fantasy games (29.50, 32.10, and 31.00) in PPR formats, two against the Bills, though he had over 15 rushes in only two games (22/96 and 17/73/1).

Fantasy Outlook: Achane offers PPR consistency and big-play ability as a high-volume pass-catching back. With double-digit scores, he’s poised to be a top-five running back again, matching his 2024 fantasy points (300.00).

Jaylen Wright, MIA

At Tennessee over two seasons, Wright had more than 15 rushes in only five of 25 games. In 2023, he averaged 7.4 yards per rush, setting career highs in rushing yards (1,013) on 137 carries with four touchdowns, plus 22 catches for 141 yards. His 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine highlighted his home-run style, though his pass protection and ball security need improvement.

Last season, he had one notable game (13/86) but minimal overall impact (68/249/0, three catches for eight yards).

Fantasy Outlook: With Alexander Mattison competing for touches, Wright’s college explosiveness makes him a rotational candidate. Miami’s two-back, speed-focused offense positions him as a handcuff to Achane.

Alexander Mattison, MIA

In 2023, the Vikings gave Mattison a career-high 210 touches, resulting in 700 rushing yards on 180 carries but no rushing touchdowns and a weak 3.9 yards per rush. His 6.4 yards per catch was also subpar. He had one 100-yard game (Week 3: 20/93, five catches for 32 yards) but only 15 touches over his final three games.

With Las Vegas, he improved to 8.2 yards per catch with career highs in catches (36), receiving yards (294), and targets (36), but his rushing output remained poor (132/420/4, 3.2 yards per rush).

Fantasy Outlook: Mattison’s veteran presence could steal short-yardage touchdowns. His consistent 100+ touches in five of six NFL seasons make him a potential threat for touches to Miami’s lead back.

Other Options: Ollie Gordon, Nate Noel

Wide Receivers

Miami’s wide receivers caught 187 passes for 2,107 yards and a league-low eight touchdowns on 286 targets last season. In 2023, Tyreek Hill (119/1,799/13 on 171 targets) nearly matched that output alone, falling 67.90 fantasy points short.

Tyreek Hill, MIA

Despite playing all 17 games in 2022 with quad, foot, and ankle injuries, Hill ranked second among wide receivers in PPR fantasy points (347.30), with seven 100-yard games (11/190/2, 10/160, 12/177, 12/188, 7/143/1, 9/146/1, 4/103).

In 2023, he matched his career-high 119 catches on 171 targets, setting new highs in receiving yards (1,799) and touchdowns (13). Over his first 12 games, he had 93 catches for 1,481 yards and 12 touchdowns, but an ankle injury in Week 14 (4/61) sidelined him for Week 15 and reduced his output thereafter (9/99, 6/76, and 7/82/1).

Last season, Hill started strong (7/130/1 in Week 1) but struggled over the next 11 games (48/571/3 on 71 targets, 10.9 yards per catch). He rebounded in Weeks 14 (10/115/1) and 17 (9/105) but faltered in his final three games (2/36, 3/29/1, and 2/20). A wrist injury and late-October foot issues sapped his explosiveness, leading to a career-low 11.8 yards per catch, only 13 catches of 20+ yards (vs. 29 in 2023), and one of 40+ yards (vs. 9 in 2023).

Fantasy Outlook: At 31, Hill’s 2024 decline—whether due to team issues or his performance—drops him to a mid-tier WR2 in PPR leagues. His risk/reward status hinges on Tagovailoa’s health.

Jaylen Waddle, MIA

After Tyreek Hill’s arrival, Waddle became more explosive, though his 2022 targets fell to 117 from 141 as a rookie. He had 75 catches for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns, with 18.1 yards per catch.

In 2023, he missed three games, hitting 100 yards in three contests (7/121/1, 8/114, and 8/142/1) but setting three-year lows in catches (72), yards (1,014), touchdowns (4), and targets (104).

Last season, his yards per catch dropped to 12.8, with 58 catches and two touchdowns, failing to reach 10.00 PPR fantasy points in 10 of 15 starts. His best games (5/109, 8/144/1, and 9/99) came at home.

Fantasy Outlook: Waddle’s mid-tier WR3 rating in early drafts reflects his high ceiling, making him a value pick.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, MIA

In 2022, Westbrook-Ikhine’s output as the Titans’ WR2 (25/397/3 on 50 targets) was lackluster, with one notable game (5/119/2). In 2023, he had 28 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns on 45 targets.

Last season, he set career highs in targets (60), yards (497), and touchdowns (9) with 32 catches, scoring in seven of eight games midseason. However, his 53.3 catch rate and minimal catches (three or fewer in 11 of 13 final games) limited his impact.

Fantasy Outlook: His 6’2”, 210-pound frame aids red-zone scoring (six of his 2024 nine touchdowns inside the 20), but as Miami’s fifth passing option, he lacks draft appeal.

Malik Washington, MIA

Drafted in 2024, undersized slot receiver Washington (5’8”, 190 lbs.) had a breakout final college season (110/1,426/9). His route running needs work and a better release vs. physical cornerbacks.

In his rookie year, he posted 26 catches for 223 yards on 36 targets (8.6 yards per catch), plus 564 return yards with five rushes for 25 yards and one score.

Fantasy Outlook: As the fourth wide receiver, Washington needs an injury to gain significant opportunities.

Other Options: Dee Eskridge, Erik Ezukanma, Tahj Washington, Tarik Black, Andrew Armstrong

Tight Ends

Last season, Miami’s tight ends ranked sixth in PPR fantasy points (265.30, 112/1,053/8 on 151 targets), offsetting their wide receivers’ 28th ranking and league-low eight touchdowns.

Jonnu Smith, MIA

In 2023 with Atlanta, Smith set career highs in catches (50), yards (582), and targets (70) with three touchdowns as their TE2. His best fantasy value came in four games (6/95, 4/36/1, 6/67, and 5/100/1).

In Miami, he capitalized on the struggles of Hill and Waddle, achieving career highs in catches (88), yards (884), and targets (111) with eight touchdowns. His best stretch came over his final 12 games (7/96/1, 6/101/2, 9/87/1, 10/113, 9/48/1, 9/56/1), ranking fourth in tight end PPR scoring (223.40).

Fantasy Outlook: Smith's targets should decrease if Hill and Waddle play 17 games. His fifth-ranked tight end draft status in mid-May reflects one year’s success, but his recent potential ensures meaningful opportunities, making him a wild card in 2025.

Other Options: Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown, Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci

Kicker

Jason Sanders, MIA

Over seven NFL seasons, Sanders has made 187 of 211 field goals (84.6%) and 33 of 48 from 50+ yards, plus 259 of 268 extra points.

Last season, Miami’s 34 touchdowns (down from 61 in 2023) led to 41 field goal attempts, with Sanders making 12 of 14 from 50+ yards, finishing fifth in kicker fantasy scoring (179.80).

Fantasy Outlook: Sanders’ long-range success gives him top 12 kicker upside, which is tempered by potential extra-point increases if Miami’s offense rebounds.

Defense

In 2024, Miami ranked 9th in rushing yards allowed (405/1,763), with nine rushing touchdowns. Their 4.4 yards per carry showed risk in run defense, but it was masked by low attempts (23.8 per game).

They allowed 3,829 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, with 35 sacks and only 42 completions of 20+ yards (third lowest in the league).