No More Excuses…and I’m Not Talking about Tua

Tight End Talent

Last year, Miami’s tight end room was, well, how can we say this nicely? NOT VERY GOOD

Durham Smythe is a nice player but not exactly a dynamic tight end. Julian Hill is, well, a guy on an NFL roster.

So Miami went out and added Jonnu Smith, one of the most dynamic pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. Smith had 50 receptions last year in Atlanta on a poor offense. Then Miami went out and added Jody Fortson, who is probably a better version of Julian Hill. So, long story short, Miami’s tight end room has greatly improved over last year.

Running Back Depth

Last year, Raheem Mostert missed crucial time down the stretch in weeks 17 and 18 when Miami had huge games vs Baltimore and Buffalo. DeVone Achane got hurt in the preseason, went on IR in the season, and got banged up again after he got off IR.

Miami’s running back room isn’t bad; it’s just always injured. Then, behind them, you had Jeff Wilson (who Mike McDaniel had as a healthy scratch some weeks) and Salvon Ahmed, who also had his season cut short with an injury.

So Miami traded a third-round 2025 pick to get into the fourth round of this year’s draft and select Jaylen Wright, who some had rated as either the first or second-best running back in this draft.

So, if when Mostert and Achane go down again this year for a period of time and miss games, Miami should have some fresh legs with amazing speed ready to step in so the offense and that running game don’t miss a beat.

The Offensive Line

Now I know what you’re thinking: How come you’re not talking about the offensive line? Well, very little has changed since last year. We have a new center, but essentially, they brought everyone back and are putting the band back together, minus Robert Hunt.

Well, that was a decision made by the Dolphins coaching staff and front office. They could have drafted a plug-and-play offensive lineman in Rd 1, but they didn’t. They could have chosen a player in Round 2 who is “more NFL Ready” than Patrick Paul. They didn’t.

So, if that blows up in their face, it is their fault, and they can’t point the finger at anyone else.

I know Miami may still sign a guard after June 1st, and that is great, but is that really going to change the trajectory of Miami’s offensive line in 2024? Probably not.

The point is that McDaniel and Grier made the call not to address the offensive line in a serious manner, so they will live or die with that decision in 2024.

This leads to my overall point of this article: Mike McDaniel has no more excuses.

Yes, you had the #1 offense in the NFL last season. Great. Take a bow.

But it needs to be mentioned your offense struggled in both KC games, vs. Baltimore, vs. Buffalo not once but twice, and vs. Philly. Those are the caliber of teams you need to beat to bring the Dolphins to another level.

You have more weapons in the passing game, upgraded the tight end room, and added another super-fast running back; what else is needed at this point?

There are no more excuses for Mike McDaniel in 2024. Your offense better still be among the Top 5 in the NFL, and it better produce vs the good teams.

You are no longer a rookie head coach.

You are no longer a first-time playcaller, and you are still learning.

If this offense underperforms this year, takes a major step back in production, or can’t get the job done vs good teams, then all eyeballs will be on you.