The Miami Dolphins completed the common season with a file of 9-8 earlier than ultimately shedding their Tremendous Wild Card matchup in opposition to the Buffalo Payments in a thriller by the rating of 34-31. It was a rollercoaster experience of a season with loads of ups and downs alongside the best way. The season didn’t finish with the great guys hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, however with the group’s first playoff look since 2016, we will nonetheless say it was successful.
Because the season is now formally over for the Miami Dolphins, we at The Phinsider designated varied workers members to find out who the winners of our finish of season awards could be.
Who took residence the imaginary {hardware}? Let’s discover out!
MVP – Tyreek Hill (midseason winner was Tua Tagovailoa)
Marek Courageous:
Tyreek Hill was acquired from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in March of 2022 for a number of draft picks together with an all the time worthwhile first spherical choice. After the commerce was finalized, the Dolphins then gave Hill a 4 12 months, $120 million contract extension. Many felt the receiver would battle in Miami with out the sturdy arm of Patrick Mahomes slinging him the soccer, nonetheless at season’s finish, Tyreek Hill compiled essentially the most receptions he’s ever had in a single season (119), essentially the most receiving yards he’s ever had in a single season (1,710) and eight whole touchdowns — whereas catching passes from three separate quarterbacks. His receptions and receiving yards totals are each Miami Dolphins group data. I assume he didn’t come to Miami to retire in any case, did he? Our midseason MVP, Tua Tagovailoa, might be coming again because the Dolphins’ beginning quarterback subsequent season in keeping with Normal Supervisor Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel, so he and Hill will look to construct on the already excellent chemistry the 2 have collectively as they work in direction of making 2023 an much more profitable season.
Offensive Participant of the 12 months – Tyreek Hill (midseason winner was Tyreek Hill)
Craig Smith:
One may argue Tua ought to get the nod right here – given the significance of the QB place and the excessive degree he performed when wholesome – however Hill delivered on what he was delivered to Miami to do: add the big-play factor to Miami’s offense. He was tied with Davante Adams for essentially the most 40+ yard catches amongst receivers (7) and 2nd in 20+ yarders (25). He was additionally third within the league in first down receptions with 77 — solely Justin Jefferson (80) and Travis Kelce (78) had extra. For the season, Tyreek totaled 119 catches for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns.
He completely earned his first-team All-Professional honors. Now, simply think about what his manufacturing would have been if Tua hadn’t been out. My phrase.
Defensive Participant of the 12 months – Christian Wilkins (midseason winner was Jaelan Phillips)
Sumeet Jena:
The person, the parable, and the soon-to-be legend.
Each Sunday, defensive deal with Christian Wilkins performs every down as if it’s his final. Offensive linemen are met by a sure fireplace that not solely captures the hearts of Dolphins followers throughout the nation, but additionally rubs off on his teammates as effectively. He’s the center and soul behind this Miami Dolphins protection, and he’s my 2022 Miami Dolphins Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
This season, Wilkins posted profession numbers in tackles (98), tackles for loss (16), and compelled fumbles (2). He additionally ranked as Professional Soccer Focus’ Seventh-best defensive deal with within the league, and as per ESPN, was the very best defensive deal with within the league when it comes to highest run cease win price. Over the course of his stellar season, Wilkins additionally grew to become the primary NFL defensive lineman to notch 95+ tackles since 1994.
General, a incredible season from a incredible participant.
Recreation of the 12 months – Tremendous Wild Card recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Payments (midseason winner was Week Two at Baltimore Ravens)
Jon Lawlor:
May it’s the opening day win in opposition to the Patriots? The monumental comeback over the Ravens the very subsequent week? Presumably the Week 18 win over the New York Jets to place Miami into the postseason?
I do know the suspense is killing you. For me, the Recreation of the 12 months needs to be the primary Fins’ playoff recreation in six seasons: the 12 months’s third assembly with the Buffalo Payments, this time within the Wildcard spherical. Plus, Craig picked the Baltimore recreation for the midseason awards and I didn’t need to plagiarize.
No, Miami didn’t win. However they fought like hell regardless of coming into the sport as a file 13.5 level underdog with three offensive line positions manned by a brand new participant from the earlier week, to not point out being led by a 3rd string rookie quarterback. With all that of their means, they nonetheless managed to take the Payments to the ultimate minutes, solely lacking an enormous upset by just a few measly factors. Whatever the last consequence, that type of exhibiting has to place some hope within the hearts of Fins’ followers for the longer term. Understanding that the group can claw tooth and nail in opposition to a number of the finest competitors, even after they aren’t almost at their strongest, ought to present constructive vibes because the Dolphins embark on what’s certain to be an eventful 2023 offseason.
Play of the 12 months – Tua Tagovailoa 45-yard completion to Jaylen Waddle on third and 22 in opposition to the Buffalo Payments in Week 3 (midseason winner was Tua Tagovailoa launches a 60-yard TD bomb to Tyreek Hill to tie the sport in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens).
Jake Mendel:
The nationwide perspective surrounding the quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins modified on Sept. 25 in opposition to the Payments. Trailing 17-14, lineman Greg Little was known as for ineligibly being downfield earlier than Tagovailoa was sacked for a seven-yard loss. Now, on third-and-22, Tagovailoa took the snap out of the shotgun and fired a moon shot downfield to Jaylen Waddle for a 45-yard completion on a drive the place the Dolphins would take the lead for good.
Miami struggled in third-down conditions all season however making the third-and-long throw appear to be a celebration trick modified the 12 months’s trajectory. The Dolphins scored on a Chase Edmonds run, however that throw not solely proved that the group can win with Tagovailoa, however that the Dolphins have been able to having one of many league’s most harmful offenses.
Newcomer of the 12 months – Kader Kohou (midseason winner was Mike McDaniel)
Scott Hearon:
The definition of “newcomer” could be a tad hazy, in comparison with the opposite awards. In the event you’re speaking about anybody who was new to the Dolphins this season, the candidate pool is deep. You may have long-established, top-flight free-agent signings like Terron Armstead or Tyreek Hill, each of whom put up Professional Bowl seasons but once more. Different new Dolphins like Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Alec Ingold, Connor Williams, Thomas Morstead and others had constructive impacts at varied occasions, persevering with to indicate off expertise they’d exhibited for different groups previous to becoming a member of Miami in 2022. I may have gone with one of many many new coaches who got here into the constructing for 2022, particularly on the offensive aspect of the ball. So many of us left different groups and had a constructive affect on the Dolphins this season.
As a substitute, I’m selecting to look elsewhere, although. I’m going with one Kader Kohou – a newcomer in each sense of the phrase, and one who had a really outsized affect for somebody I’m betting few Dolphins followers had heard of earlier than his signing as an undrafted rookie again in Could. To this immigrant from Ivory Coast (like a lot of the world) “soccer” meant soccer till he moved to Texas as a child. Although he picked up the American recreation rapidly and excelled in school, it was at under-the-radar Texas A&M Commerce, which doesn’t present up on many NFL draft scouts’ radars. Regardless of all that, the Dolphins have been impressed and Kohou earned a roster spot amongst a powerful group of veteran defensive backs. When the damage bug began biting with a vengeance early within the season, Kohou discovered himself enjoying much more than anybody anticipated and enjoying much better than anybody anticipated. “Darth” Kader performed in 15 common season video games, beginning in 13 of them. He additionally performed almost each defensive snap from the beginning of November proper via the Wildcard loss in Buffalo. Whereas he had just a few gaffes – to be anticipated from any rookie, not to mention an undrafted one from a little-known college – he improved rapidly and had loads of constructive affect performs over the course of the season. Usually focused by opposing QBs and huge receivers the Dolphins confronted, together with loads of Professional Bowlers, Kohou usually held his personal fairly admirably and solely received higher as he gained expertise all through the season. For my cash and protecting in thoughts the query of “which new participant’s affect exceeded everybody’s expectation of them?”, I’m happy to current my 2022 Dolphins Newcomer Award to Mr. Kader Kohou. If his rookie marketing campaign was any indication, the Dolphins could have discovered a key defensive again for years to return.
