The Miami Dolphins' roster shifted from a "win now" approach to focusing on youth and draftees, with defensive depth and talent emerging as the team's strength for the first time in the Mike McDaniel era. The defensive surge surfaced during organized team activities, minicamp, training camp and preseason games. The passing game, long the team's engine, will be without Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead (retired) and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith (traded) and has been shut down by top opponents the past two seasons even when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was healthy. The unplanned flip is led by a front seven promoted as a potential game-changing unit. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver's unit finished No. 4 in total defense (314.3 ypg), No. 9 against the run (103.7 ypg), No. 9 against the pass (210.6 ypg) and No. 10 in points allowed (21.4 ppg). The defense lost cornerback Jalen Ramsey (traded), tackle Calais Campbell (left in free agency) and a talented safety.
The thing we can say for sure is the Dolphins' passing game, the engine that drives this team, an engine that won't have Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead (retired) or Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith (traded) this year, has been shut down by top opponents for the past two seasons even when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been healthy.
But this ongoing talent shift began surfacing during organized team activities and minicamp, and continued through training camp and preseason games. Will the talent shift give the Dolphins, who I've predicted to win nine games this season, a better chance to get a playoff berth and a home playoff game? You can't say that for sure.
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