FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.- The 2024 NFL season is finally upon us. After an 11-6 regular season record and first round exit, the Dolphins look to take the next step in a crowded AFC.
Through the first half of the 2023 season, many people considered the Miami Dolphins to be super bowl contenders and rightfully so. Their offense was clicking on all cylinders, Tua looked like an MVP candidate, and the defense looked very formidable excluding the week 4 game against Buffalo. Unless you were living under a rock, we all saw that wasn’t the case in the second half. Injuries, very inconsistent play on offense, and late game blunders were the story of the second half.
Many of the players from the 2023 roster have departed to new teams this off-season. While many of the departures are notably on the defensive side of the ball, Miami lost two of their starting offensive lineman from last year. That unit finished 9th in the NFL last year even though the only player to play more than nine games was Austin Jackson. Here are a list of notable players that joined new teams for the 2024 season.
Off-season Moves
Notable Departures:
- DT Christian Wilkins
- LB Andrew Van Ginkel
- G Robert Hunt
- DB Brandon Jones
- LB Jerome Baker
- DT Raekwon Davis
- C Connor Williams
- CB Xavien Howard
- DC Vic Fangio
- EDGE Shaq Barrett
This off-season included pay days for the cornerstones of the Miami franchise including WR Tyreek Hill, WR Jaylen Waddle, QB Tua Tagovailoa, and HC Mike McDaniel. Last year’s Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio was let go after receiving the highest coordinator contract in NFL history. Instead, they brought in former Ravens assistant and Houston Texans DC Anthony Weaver. One of the biggest bright spots for Weaver on his resume has been his ability to develop defensive lineman. Below includes a list of some of the other notable additions for 2024.
Notable Additions:
- TE Jonnu Smith
- DC Anthony Weaver
- S Jordan Poyer
- CB Kendall Fuller
- LB Anthony Walker
- C Aaron Brewer
- DT Calais Campbell
Schedule
Overall in 2023, the Dolphins had a relatively tough schedule toward the middle and later part of the year. In 2024, the schedule ranks 9th easiest and while that looks good on paper, the second half of the season looks like a gauntlet once again. Starting week 9, Miami has games against the Bills, Rams, Packers, Browns, Jets (x2), Texans, and 49ers. Against teams with an over .500 winning percentage, Miami went 1-6 (including the playoffs) in 2023. Combine that with an ugly loss late in the game to Tennessee on Monday night football. The jury is still out on whether this team can compete in January and February.
Overall Prediction
The AFC as a whole is loaded from top to bottom, making grabbing one of the seven playoff spots that much more difficult. That combined with the division foes still being very formidable makes this an uphill battle. The offensive line concerns are certainly still there and to start the season without Isaiah Wynn does not bode well going forward.
Over/Under wins: 9.5 (Under) – I’ll take the under here. I don’t see the health of this team holding up all season with all of the depth they lost and the second half of their schedule is absolutely brutal. They need to prove they can beat good teams and also take their offense into a cold weather environment on the road late in the season.
Author’s Record Prediction: 9-8