NFL Yearbook: Miami Dolphins

A season preview of the Miami Dolphins.

All Access Football NFL Yearbook Series Counts you down to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game with an in-depth look at 32 organizations in 32 days. Presented by the Official 2026 NFL Draft Bible.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Howard Balzer, Dominic Ambrose and Jarrett Reigel contributed to this report] || [Some information also appears in the Lindy’s NFL & College Football Season Preview Guides. — Obtain these must-have magazines here]

NFL YEARBOOK SERIES: NO.32 — SAINTS || NO.31 — BROWNS || NO.30 — PANTHERS || NO.29 — TITANS || NO.28 — BEARS || NO.27—RAIDERS || NO.26 — SEAHAWKS || NO.25—JAGUARS || NO.24—COWBOYS || NO.23—JETS || NO.22—GIANTS || NO.21—COLTS || NO.20—FALCONS

2025 NFL YEARBOOK: MIAMI DOLPHINS

AFC EAST || 2024 RECORD: 8-9 || AAF NFL POWER RANKING: 19

TEAM BRASS

Owner: Stephen Ross || General Manager: Chris Grier || Head Coach: Mike McDaniel || Offensive Coordinator: Frank Smith || Defensive Coordinator: Anthony Weaver || Special Teams: Craig Aukerman

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

2025 NFLPA GRADES || OVERALL RANKINGS (1 of 32)

Treatment of Families: A (3rd) || Food / Dining Area: A+ (1st) || Nutritionist / Dietician: A+ (2nd) || Locker Room: A+ (4th) || Training Room: A (1st) || Training Staff: A (1st) || Weight Room: A+ (1st) || Strength Coaches: A+ (1st) || Team Travel: A+ (1st) || Head Coach: A+ (6th) || Ownership: A+ (1st)

The Dolphins earned the top spot in the rankings for the second consecutive year. The team ranked first in seven of the 11 graded categories. The team ranked no lower than sixth in any category and scored straight A’s for the second straight season. Some issues remain, such as a better hotel for home games and more field access for families prior to the game.

OVERVIEW

The Miami Dolphins endured their first losing season since 2019 and have gained a reputation for being a fast, finesse team. With the first three picks of the draft, Miami opted to rebuild the trenches and add some nasty. Plugging in bruising running back Ollie Gordon II will provide a different dynamic to the offense to pair with the dangerous De'Von Achane. Still, the Dolphins hopes hinge on the health of Tua Tagovailoa (photo: Miami Dolphins). The team went 2-4 without him last year, which cost them a spot in the postseason. It was a wise move to snag Texas gunslinger Quinn Ewers during the late portion of the draft.

OFFENSE RANKINGS

Total Offense: 325.9 (18th) || Passing: 219.8 (15th) || Rushing: 105.6 (21st) || Points: 20.3 (22nd) || Sacked: 43 (17th) || 3rd Down: 36.3% (13th AFC)

DEFENSE RANKINGS

Total Defense: 314.3 (4th) || Passing: 210.6 (T-8th) || Rushing: 103.7 (9th) || Points Allowed: 21.4 (10th) || Sacks: 35 (27th) || Turnover Differential: -5 (T-20th)

TOP 10 FRANCHISE PLAYERS

1. Tyreek Hill, Wide Receiver

2. Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback

3. Bradley Chubb, Outside Linebacker

4. Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver

5. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety

6. De’Von Achane, Running Back

7. Zach Sieler, Defensive End

8. Jordyn Brooks, Linebacker

9. Jaelan Phillips, Defensive End

10. Chop Robinson, Defensive End

TOP 10 PLAYERS UNDER 25

1. De’Von Achane, Running Back (23)

2. Chop Robinson, Defensive End (22)

3. Kenneth Grant, Defensive Tackle (21)

4. Patrick Paul, Offensive Tackle (24)

5. Jaylen Wright, Running Back (23)

6. Malik Washington, Wide Receiver (24)

7. Storm Duck, Safety (24)

8. Jonah Savaiinaea, Offensive Guard (21)

9. Jason Marshall, Cornerback (22)

10. Quinn Ewers, Quarterback (22)

BUST OUT PLAYERS

There just weren’t enough touches to go around the Miami backfield last year in order to get Jaylen Wright (photo: Miami Dolphins) going on the right track. He has since moved up in the pecking order and is expected to spell Devon Achane in spurts. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels has an affinity for speed and he will seek to showcase the sub 4.4-speed that Wright possesses … Did somebody say speed? Special teams dynamo Malik Washington made his mark as a return man, averaging a whopping 30.7 yards per kick return, while also handling punt return duties. He has earned himself more playing time in the slot on offense and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. There is some serious heat on offense … Entering the season, there are more question marks than answers in the secondary. Beneath all the turmoil has been the pleasant surprise of Storm Duck. The undrafted free agent safety appeared in 14 games a year ago, including three spot-starts due to injury. He is the safety net, pun intended when Miami is in a bind on the backend, able to fill in at multiple positions.

2025 NFL DRAFT CLASS

ROUND | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | POSITION | SCHOOL

Rd.1 No.3. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan — A massive force from the interior, Grant is a run-stuffing menace. He has the ability to gobble up double teams, along with exceptional athleticism and fills the hole left by Christian Wilkins (Raiders). (photo: Miami Dolphins)

Rd.2 No.37. Jonah Savaiinaea, OG, Arizona — A college tackle who will need to kick inside, Savaiinaea looks like he has two left feet at times and can be streaky at times. Asking him to start right out of the gates could be cause for concern.

Rd.5 No.143. Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland — Getting stronger up the middle was a clear priority, as the Dolphins doubled down on nose tackles by adding Phillips and the aforementioned Grant.

Rd.5 No.150. Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida — With prototype size and top-level speed, Marshall Jr. brings the type of experience that could find himself competing for a starting job in a rather mediocre secondary broup.

Rd.5 No.155. Dante Trader Jr., S, Maryland — By adding Trader Jr. to the mix, Miami injects yet more team speed to backend of the defense. The versatile defender can play either safety spot or nickelback.

Rd.6 No.179. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oregon State — Adding the trucker Gordon II to the backfield dynamics provides the Dolphins with a thumper to pair with boundless speed on offense.

Rd.7 No.231. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas — After turning down NIL offers that ranged upwards of 8M to return to college, Ewers cost himself some serious moolah and will now attempt to earn a backup job.

Rd.7 No.253. Zeek Biggers, DT, Georgia Tech — Just for good measure, Miami added another space-eater along the defensive line, as Biggers possesses extreme length and should help clog run lanes.

OVERALL IMPACT = 3 Average Impact

ADDITIONS

• T Larry Borom (8/4; UFA Bears; $2.5M gtd/$1.33M SB/$2.5M 2025 cap/$500K incentives)

• LB K.J. Britt (14/11; UFA Buccaneers; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $1.197.5M gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.197.5 2025 cap)

• TE Pharaoh Brown (15/7; UFA Seahawks; $1.355M/1 yr, $20K SB/$1.346M 2025 cap)

• CB Artie Burns (4/0; UFA Seahawks; $1.355M/1 yr, $100K RB 2026/no gtd/$1.355M 2025 cap)

• G James Daniels (4/4; UFA Steelers; $24M/3 yrs, $7.255M fully gtd/$3.48M gtd injury only fully gtd 3rd day 2026 LY/$6M SB/$3.49M 2025 cap)

• S Ashtyn Davis (15/1; UFA Jets; $2.5M/1 yr, $1.23M SB/$2.5M 2025 cap)

• LB Willie Gay Jr. (15/8; UFA Saints; $1.337.5M/1yr, $1.197.5M gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• RB Alexander Mattison (14/7; UFA Raiders; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $1.197.5M gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.197.5M 2025 cap)

• S Ifeatu Melifonwu (3/3; UFA Lions; $3.01M/1 yr, $2.45M gtd/$1.28M SB/$2.59 2025 cap/$1M incentives)

• P Ryan Stonehouse (17/0; not tendered as RFA by Titans); $1.725M/1 yr, $75K SB/$1.725M 2025 cap)

• WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (17/9; UFA Titans; $5.99M/2 yrs, $3.2M gtd/$2.5M SB/$1.6M 2025 cap/3 void years)

• QB Zach Wilson (0/0; UFA Broncos; $6M gtd/1 yr, $4.75M SB/$6M 2025 cap/$4M incentives)

RE-SIGNINGS

• LB Quinton Bell (not tendered as ERFA; $1.505M/1 yr, $375K gtd/$125K SB/$1.505M 2025 cap)

• DB Elijah Campbell (potential UFA; $1.9M/1 yr, $500K gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.337.5 2025 cap)

• T Jackson Carman (UFA; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• DT Matt Dickerson (potential UFA; $1/17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03M 2025 cap)

• LB Tyrel Dodson (potential UFA; $6.25M/1 yr, $2.605M gtd/$1.435M SB/$2.53M 2025 cap/$2.25M incentives)

• G Liam Eichenberg (UFA; $2.225M gtd/1 yr, $167,500 SB/$1.337.5M 2025 cap)

• WR Dee Eskridge (UFA; $1.27M.1 yr, no gtd/$1.065M 2025 cap)

• DT Benito Jones (UFA; $2M/1 yr, $1.9M gtd/$50K SB/$2M 2025 cap)

• CB Kader Kohou (RFA tendered at $3.263M with no compensation; $3.263M/1 yr)

DEPARTURES

• T Terron Armstead (15/15; retired)

• WR Braxton Berrios (6/0; UFA Texans; $1.8M/1 yr, $300K SB/$1.67M 2025 cap/$200K incentives)

• DL Calais Campbell (17/17; UFA Cardinals $5.5M/1 yr, $4.25M gtd/$2M SB/$6M 2025 cap/$2M incentives)

• WR River Cracraft (8/0; UFA Seahawks; $1.17M/1 yr, no gtd/$1.03 2025 cap)

• CB Kendall Fuller (11/11; released)

• DL Da’Shawn Hand (17/2; UFA Chargers; $2.35M/1 yr, $1.925M gtd/$425K SB/$2.35M 2025 cap/$1M incentives)

• S Jevin Holland (15/15; UFA Giants; $45.3M/3 yrs, $$27.4M fully gtd/$2.9M gtd injury only fully gtd 3rd day 2026 LY/$12M SB/$9.94M 2025 cap)

• G Rob Jones (17/17; UFA Cowboys; $3.75M/1 yr, $3M gtd/$1.55M SB/$3.75M 2025 cap/$1M incentives)

• T Kendall Lamm (15/7; UFA Eagles; $1.505M/1 yr/$750K gtd/$250K SB/$1.305M 2025 cap/4 void years)

• RB Raheem Mostert 13/1; released)

• CB Siran Neal (17/0; UFA 49ers; $4M/2 yrs, $2.255M gtd/$1M SB/$1.65M 2025 cap/3 void years)

• TE Durham Smythe (17/4; released)

• TE Jack Stoll (11/2; UFA Saints; $1.337.5M/1 yr, $67,500 SB/$1.097.5 2025 cap)

• LB Anthony Walker Jr. (14/8; UFA Buccaneers; $1.422.5M/1 yr, $667.5M gtd/$167,500 SB/$1.197.5 2025 cap)

DEPTH CHART (Courtesy of Ourlads)

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