The Miami Dolphins brought in a new coaching staff and several high-profile veteran players this offseason. But the team will need some of their young breakout candidates to emerge in 2022 if they want to contend for a playoff spot in a loaded AFC.
Miami Dolphins 2022 breakout candidates
Tua Tagovailoa, QB
The 2022 campaign probably represents Tua Tagovailoa’s last chance to prove he can be the Dolphins’ long-term starting quarterback. The fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness through two years in the NFL. If he fails next season, Miami will likely move in another direction under center.
The Dolphins have two first-round picks in 2023 due to their pre-draft trade with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, so they will have enough ammunition to land a new quarterback if needed. Additionally, Miami has a new coaching staff in place, none of whom were involved in drafting Tua.
With no more excuses available, Tua must perform well in 2022 — and there are reasons to believe he can. Sure, the new coaching staff has no connection to Tagovailoa, but Mike McDaniel is viewed as something of an offensive genius. He’ll implement a creative, run-after-the-catch-based scheme that can get the best out of his new QB. The former 49ers offensive coordinator represents a marked improvement over Chan Gailey, Eric Studesville, and George Godsey, each of whom served as OC during Tua’s first two years in the league.
The Dolphins have also built up the offensive talent around Tagovailoa. Miami sent a haul of picks to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Tyreek Hill, giving them one of the most dynamic threats in the league. He’ll team with Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki, and fellow new addition Cedrick Wilson Jr. to form an improved set of pass catchers. Acquisitions in the backfield — Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, and Sony Michel — will take some of the load off Tua and give him options in the short passing game.
Instead of playing behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines, Tua now has Terron Armstead at left tackle and Connor Williams at left guard. There are still questions at the other three spots, but leaping from “atrocious” to simply “below average” up front should result in a more secure pocket.
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE
After being selected 18th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jaelan Phillips broke a Dolphins rookie record by posting 8.5 sacks. He’s already established himself as a reliable NFL player, but is a further breakout on the horizon?
Phillips managed last year’s production while playing just 54% of Miami’s defensive snaps. After being hampered by a training camp leg injury, he got off to a slow start. In the first seven games, Phillips played fewer than 30% of the snaps three times. Over the last 10 games, he never dipped below a 30% rate again, and he dropped below 50% just twice.
The Dolphins re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah and added Melvin Ingram to their pass-rush rotation this offseason, but it will be surprising if Phillips doesn’t see more reps in 2022. Holdover defensive coordinator Josh Boyer will be able to deploy Phillips all around the formation, using the former Hurricane’s versatility to the defense’s advantage.
Phillips was on the field in obvious passing situations a year ago, but he must improve as a run defender to see more action — and he realizes that. “It’s all about trust,” Phillips said in January. “My goal coming into next season is solidify myself as a person that can be trusted on early downs.”
Jevon Holland, S
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has a mixed history of results in the NFL draft, but he may have saved his reputation as a talent evaluator with his selections in 2021. Jaylen Waddle is already a star after posting 106 receptions in his rookie campaign, and Phillips is well on his way to recurring pro success. But Grier’s third pick, No. 36 overall selection Jevon Holland, may emerge as the best NFL player.
Holland didn’t become a full-time starter until Week 5. Yet, once he started to see the field regularly, he became a fixture on Miami’s defense. Holland did a little bit of everything, including lining up in the box, in the slot, or along the line of scrimmage. He even rushed the passer 65 times, second-most among all NFL safeties behind only fellow Dolphin Brandon Jones.
However, Holland’s bread and butter is playing free safety, roaming the back end as Miami’s de facto center fielder. The Dolphins moved to more man-coverage looks as the season progressed, and Holland often lined up as the single-high safety, an incredibly valuable role in the modern NFL. If Miami continues to deploy aggressive schemes in 2022, Holland will be the team’s security blanket.
Safeties who can defend the pass and come downhill to play the run are worth their weight in gold, and the AFC is full of them. From Derwin James to Kevin Byard, Marcus Williams to Jessie Bates, the conference is already brimming with safety talent. If Holland continues his upward trajectory, he’ll be on par with his peers — and he has a chance to become the best safety in the AFC.