The 2023 season for the Miami Dolphins ended in pure frustration after hopes of making it back to the Super Bowl. For a team looking to contend in 2024 and beyond, what does the organization need to accomplish this offseason to get back to its winning ways and bring a Lombardi Trophy to Miami for the first time since 1973?
What Do the Dolphins Need To Do This Offseason?
Although the Dolphins have made the postseason two years in a row under head coach Mike McDaniel, their streak of not winning a playoff game has extended to 23 seasons. Here are the top priorities for the Dolphins this offseason in hopes of breaking this drought and setting the franchise up for long-term success.
Get Under the Salary Cap, Create Financial Flexibility
With the Dolphins being nearly $60 million over the salary cap, they may need to release a few players to create room for further transactions. The first name that stands out is DE Emmanuel Ogbah, who signed a four-year, $65.4 million deal in 2022 after back-to-back nine-sack seasons in 2020 and 2021.
Not only has Ogbah’s playing time diminished significantly over the past two seasons, but his sack production has as well.
Although both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb suffered season-ending injuries late this season, it is safe to say both players will always play a greater amount of snaps than Ogbah.
Cutting Ogbah would save the Dolphins $13.8 million against the cap, and the team would only have to take on $4 million in dead money.
Another player who they could release for financial reasons is RB Jeff Wilson Jr., who was listed third overall on the team’s depth chart throughout the duration of the season.
In Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, the Dolphins have one of the best running back tandems in the NFL, and they can carry the load again next season.
Factor in a bulky Chris Brooks, too.
Miami can save nearly $3 million if they elect to say their goodbyes to Wilson Jr.
The Dolphins can create salary cap room in other ways as well, such as restructuring the contracts of highly paid players such as WR Tyreek Hill, CB Jalen Ramsey, and EDGE rusher Bradley Chubb.
Hill’s contract was restructured a season ago, so it could happen a second time.
Same goes for Chubb, whose current cap hit is $26,851,489.
Improve at the Tight End Position
The Miami Dolphins’ offense is an explosive one.
The team, however, needs a Sam LaPorta-like athlete at the position — one that can catch passes up the seam and in the red zone, as well.
After trading away Mike Gesicki to the New England Patriots a season ago, OC Frank Smith was hoping to get production out of Durham Smythe, but the Notre Dame product, who was drafted in 2018, has just three touchdowns in five seasons as a Dolphin.
Not good enough.
Could Miami target a tight end in the second round, or will GM Chris Grier search for a playmaker during the free agency period?
Let Tua Tagovailoa Play Out the Fifth-Year Option
Tua Tagovailoa is a fine quarterback and will keep the Dolphins in games, but as of right now, the Alabama alum does not deserve a high-paying contract akin to the ones Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen have received.
A lot went right for Tua in 2023: He stayed healthy over the duration of the season, starting all 17 regular-season games and a postseason match for the first time in his young career while throwing for a league-high 4,624 yards.
The problem?
Too many turnovers in critical moments of a game and a losing mark against teams with a winning record.
MORE: The Miami Dolphins Need To Find a Job for Mike Vrabel
The Dolphins’ lone win against a team above .500 this season (Week 16 vs. Dallas) came on a game-winning field goal from Jason Sanders as time expired.
Not saying the Dolphins should fully move on from Tua, whose fifth-year option was exercised last March; however, the left-handed gunslinger needs to show a bit more.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!