Did the Miami Dolphins Do Enough to Improve in the 2024 NFL Season?

Terrifying. That’s probably the best term for the Miami Dolphins’ offense last season. On their game, they were absolutely terrifying, with Tua Tagovailoa hitting his speedster wide receivers early and often. After making NHL history with the 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos on September 24, 2023, the Fins looked unstoppable.

They did get checked 48-20 by the Buffalo Bills in the next game, but by the end of the season, Miami had won eight games by scoring 30 points or more. Still, the Bills loss on October 1, 2023, was a bit of an indicator of where the Dolphins stood.

Later in the season, they’d lose to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans in a very close game, Baltimore Ravens in a humbling 56-19 crushing, and the Bills to end the regular season. It held the Dolphins in that tier just below the top contenders. With an offseason of work, maybe Miami can take that extra step.

Quickly looking to bolster the coaching corps

In January 2023, the first Dolphins postseason appearance since 2016 was confirmed, and after last season, Miami looks to be a near guarantee to make it to the playoffs. In this offseason, though, the franchise thought it best to refresh its coaching corps. For the 2024 staff, 11 new coaches came to the team.

Possibly the most intriguing addition, or rather, the addition who’ll be watched the closest, is Anthony Weaver. The new defensive coordinator has already praised how exciting the Miami defense is, saying that there are “multiple guys on every level of defense” that he can get excited about.

The Dolphins scored the second-most points in the entire NFL last season. On defense, the 391 points against was the 11th-most. Getting the defense powered up and even taking some of the pressure off of the offense from time to time would mark a huge gain for the team. The Bills only allowed 140 points against and won the division on the same record as Miami.

Some fine additions in the free agency

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One of the team’s biggest additions late in the free agency was as a direct result of bringing in Weaver. Calais Campbell signed for the Dolphins on June 18, citing the coach as a big reason why and that he has a “really good opportunity” to win the Super Bowl with this team. He joins an envious defensive line – when it’s fit, that is.

The haul of trusty veterans signed in the offseason didn’t stop with Campbell, though. Marcus Maye, a Hall of Famer for SCS, joined the secondary, but the most eye-catching additions would have to be pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett, corner Kendall Fuller, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and offensive weapons Jonnu Smith and Odell Beckham Jr.

Despite the critics not favoring much of the offseason action of the Bills, Buffalo remain the frontrunner for the AFC East. As of June 24, at +185 in the NFL odds, the Dolphins are ranked second-best to the reigning divisional champions. The Bills aren’t overwhelmingly favored, though, sitting in at +150 to retain the crown.

The Bills are going through a makeover and lost several big-name players who’ve been pivotal to their recent successes, including Stefon Diggs, Micah Hyde, Tre-Davious White, Leonard Floyd, Mitch Morse, Dane Jackson, Gabe Davis, and Jordan Poyer. Buffalo retooled as well as the team could, but it certainly didn’t improve on paper.

The Dolphins sustained some major losses, too – namely Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, Andrew van Ginkel, Jerome Baker, and Xavien Howard. At least compared to the Bills, though, the losses weren’t quite as damaging, and the gaps were filled with higher-tier additions.

Calling on the rookies early and often

On paper, the Dolphins have one of the best starting edge tandems in the NFL. Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips offer a menacing threat working around the outside, but both suffered particularly grueling injuries last season. When fully fit, they can be relied upon, but it seems like Miami wanted to ease their way back to competition.

Not only was veteran Barrett added to help that pass-rush threat and then add to it when Miami’s at full strength, but the Dolphins also used their first and fifth-round picks to reinforce the role. Chop Robinson looks ready-made for the NFL and ready to surge in when needed. Mohamed Kamara is a bit rougher, but arguably a steal in the fifth.

While some offseason losses were sustained, and two key players may need some time to get back into the swing of things, the Dolphins look to have had a decent offseason. They’ve bolstered the roster in key areas and looked to mitigate against the anticipated absences of Chubb and Phillips. Overall, Miami should be optimistic about improving on their 11-6 record and wild card exit in the playoffs.

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