The Miami Dolphins have featured one of many league’s most dynamic offenses since Mike McDaniel grew to become the fourteenth head coach in franchise historical past. Miami’s offense averaged 28 factors per sport final season whereas Tyreek Hill was a first-team All-Professional with 119 receptions and greater than 1,700 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons.
The offense gravitates round Hill, however that hasn’t stopped Jaylen Waddle from turning into the primary participant in franchise historical past to kick-start his profession with three straight seasons with 1,000 receiving yards. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sparked Hill and Waddle’s manufacturing with a league-high 4,624 passing yards in 2023.
Discovering a succesful third-receiving possibility was considered one of Miami’s high priorities this offseason, contemplating a 3rd goal has failed to succeed in 500 receiving yards within the McDaniel period. Not often seen within the NFL, the Dolphins are positioning themselves with an opportunity to be the sixth staff in league historical past to characteristic three straight 1,000-yard receivers.
1980 San Diego Chargers — Kellen Winslow: 1,290 yards, John Jefferson: 1,340 yards, Charlie Joiner: 1,132 yards.
1995 Atlanta Falcons — Eric Metcalf: 1,189 yards, Terance Mathis: 1,039 yards. Bert Emanuel: 1,024 yards.
2004 Indianapolis Colts — Marvin Harrison: 1,113 yards, Reggie Wayne: 1,210 yards, Brandon Stokley: 1,077 yards.
2008 Arizona Cardinals — Larry Fitzgerald: 1,431 yards, Anquan Boldin: 1,038 yards. Steve Breaston: 1,006 yards.
2020 Dallas Cowboys — Amari Cooper: 1,114 yards, CeeDee Lamb: 1,074 yards, Michael Gallup: 1,004 yards.
Simpler stated than accomplished, however it’s necessary to think about that Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards, The Dolphins ranked No. 20 in move makes an attempt final yr — however Tagovailoa was second amongst quarterbacks with a mean of 8.3 yards per try (min. 100 makes an attempt). Contemplating Miami’s pre-snap movement, Hill performed 63% and Waddle performed 56% of offensive snaps in 2023 however did huge injury with over 14 yards per reception every.
The Dolphins have struggled to include a 3rd banana whereas Hill or Waddle caught a breather on the sideline however enter 2024 with three gamers able to becoming a member of them as 1,000-yard receivers.
Hill and Waddle are recognized for tormenting secondaries earlier than and after the catch however bear in mind, Odell Beckham Jr.’s 16.1 yards per reception ranked No. 8 amongst all receivers final season. The chance to play in McDaniel’s system was a significant cause the three-time Professional Bowl receiver signed in South Florida.
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“The timing and every thing [McDaniel] preaches bought me excited,” Beckham. “Coach talked about that on third down, Hill and Waddle have been usually double-teamed, leaving loads of alternatives for others.”
That stated, we’re nonetheless months from seeing how McDaniel will leverage the trio of receivers, and there are two different gamers able to gaining chunk yardage if Beckham serves as a third-down murderer.
The Dolphins struggled to make the most of a decent finish however have actually tried. Mike Gesicki was third on the staff with 52 targets in 2022. Durham Smythe‘s 71.5% of offensive snaps performed final season ranked fourth on the staff and he noticed 43 move makes an attempt come his manner, trailing solely Hill and Waddle.
Jonnu Smith, one of many league’s sooner tight ends, joins the Dolphins after averaging seven yards after the catch per reception with the Falcons. He must be thought of a sleeper possibility when factoring that his 582 receiving yards final season have been a career-high, however sparks might fly if he pushes towards Smythe’s snap whole after taking part in simply 58% of snaps in 2023.
Roger Craig (1985), Lionel James (1985), Marshall Faulk (1999), and Christian McCaffrey (2019) are the one working backs to succeed in 1,000 receiving yards — a case could possibly be made for De’Von Achane to be subsequent. The second-year tailback made it a precedence to change into extra of a receiving risk this offseason, and Miami’s 125 working again targets ranked No. 5 within the league final season.
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Achane led Dolphins tailbacks with 37 targets however averaged simply 7.3 yards per reception regardless of 7.8 yards per keep on 103 makes an attempt final season. With the addition of Jaylen Wright, there’s some profit in changing a few of Achane’s 103 carries into receptions. He’d keep away from the struggle within the trenches and stay a downfield risk with both Wright or Raheem Mostert on the sphere.
Solely a handful of groups have featured three 1,000-yard receiving choices, however Miami’s big-play offense opens the door for a 3rd possibility behind Hill and Waddle. After years of searching for the appropriate match, Beckham, Smith, and Achane all characteristic the specified traits to thrive as a dynamic risk in McDaniel’s offense.