It’s starting to feel a bit like football season, and we’re not just talking about the triple-digit heat indices in South Florida.
The Miami Dolphins‘ three-day mandatory minicamp is this week, marking the first time in five months that the team’s full roster (at least of able-bodied players) will be on the field together at the same time.
But it wouldn’t be a Dolphins offseason without some drama, so let’s get into the five biggest storylines surrounding Mike McDaniel’s team heading into his third NFL season in Miami.
Top Miami Dolphins Minicamp Storylines
Tua Tagovailoa Speaks (Probably)
The Tua Tagovailoa’s contract extension situation has been the sun of the Dolphins’ offseason solar system, with all other issues impacted by its gravitational pull.
But Tagovailoa has intentionally kept a low profile these last few months. Yes, he’s cut a few commercials, held charity events, and made promotional appearances, but he’s talked very little football since the Kansas City Chiefs ended the Dolphins’ 2023 season.
That should change soon. Tagovailoa usually speaks to reporters at least once per offseason program, and if he declines requests this week, the inference would be he has nothing productive to add about the status of a potential new contract.
But there are plenty of other topics we’d love to hear Tagovailoa’s thoughts on, including his decision to drop a bunch of weight, the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. to his receiving corps, and working with private QBs coach John Beck.
Dolphins’ New Big 3?
We’re hopeful to finally observe Beckham this week. He skipped the two voluntary OTA practices that have been open to reporters, and our sense is that he hasn’t been around Dolphins HQs much.
But barring a personal conflict, it’s reasonable to expect that each of the Dolphins’ top three wide receivers — Beckham, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle — will participate in this week’s minicamp, even though Hill wants a new contract after seeing Waddle get one just a few days ago.
Asked last week if he’s yet had the chance to see Beckham, Hill, and Waddle all on the field at the same time, McDaniel replied:
“Their individual processes through the offseason, where they’re at; we haven’t had that opportunity yet, but I’m not in any hurry to see that. Each individual has to earn their keep and earn their targets, so having all three at the same time isn’t necessarily a big deal to me.
“It’s each and every one of them understanding our offense, how to separate in the timing of the play, understanding how to align and who and what to block; all those things are the most important to me, especially as you are right [now] in the offseason.”
A Fuller House?
Like Beckham, cornerback Kendall Fuller has largely prepared on his own since signing a free agent contract with Miami this offseason.
Neither Fuller nor Jalen Ramsey have yet been spotted by reporters at organized team activities. We’ll see if that changes this week. If so, it’ll be interesting to get a sense for how the Dolphins plan to use their two starting cornerbacks this year.
Both Fuller and Ramsey have great position flexibility, and we expect new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver to move his corners around far more than Vic Fangio did a year ago.
Terron Armstead in Year 12
The Dolphins were without at least three and probably four starting offensive linemen during last week’s OTAs, and the list of absentees included left tackle Terron Armstead.
Without more information, it’s impossible to say if Armstead stayed away from practice to tend to an existing injury or to prevent a new one.
But managing Armstead’s health is of the highest priority this offseason. Armstead has never played a full season in the NFL and has missed 11 of 34 regular-season games since joining the Dolphins.
If Armstead is able to practice this week, it’s a good sign about where he is physically.
A Tight (End) Competition for PT
Few teams spent less on the tight end position last year than the Dolphins ($5.1 million), and they got what they paid for — just 41 catches for 414 yards and zero touchdowns from that room, with Durham Smythe responsible for the vast majority of that production.
That should change in 2024 with the arrival of Jonnu Smith, who hasn’t yet been spotted during Dolphins OTAs open to reporters.
A Smith/Smythe tandem could be effective, but who will be TE1 and who will be TE2? We should start to get an idea this week.
