MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins sit at 1-7 at the halfway mark, but in this season, the record is only part of the story.
Veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks put it plainly: "Optimistic and hopeful," "Encouraged."
That outlook makes sense in a year built around a full reset. Miami has the youngest roster in the NFL, and the organization tore the group down to the studs in a dramatic rebuild with a salary cap reset. First-year coach Jeff Hafley said, "There’s a lot that I’m really encouraged by," and that’s been the tone around a season centered on culture and development.
Still, results matter. Production matters. So here’s where the Dolphins stand at midseason.
Quarterback gets a C-.
Malik Willis’ numbers tell the story: 26th in passer rating, 25th in passing yards, 24th in passing touchdowns, 20th in yards per attempt and tied for 8th in interceptions. Miami is 30th in on-target passes, with only Tampa Bay and Indianapolis worse.
That’s not enough. Willis has shown a strong arm and explosive rushing ability when healthy, but the second half will have to provide a clearer read.
The running backs come in at C+.
Miami ranks 11th in rushing yards per play and 13th in rushing yards per game, and the ground game has been one of the better parts of the offense. Ollie Gordon has handled things well since the crushing season-ending injury to De’Von Achane, bringing a different style that has generally worked.
Wide receiver earns a C-.
There’s real promise in rookies Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr., and Malik Washington has proven he can play at this level. But the Dolphins are 31st in passing yards per game, and the passing game has too often looked off.
Routes haven’t always been run cleanly, Miami sits 28th in red zone offense, and the receivers have to own their share of the blame. The drop rate is also ugly: fifth worst in the league, with only Tennessee, Green Bay, the Chargers and Minnesota worse.
Tight end is also a C-.
Will Kacmarek has mostly held up as a blocker, while Greg Dulcich has mostly done his job as a receiver.
The offensive line lands at C- as well.
Miami is 30th in the league in sacks per pass attempt, though the run blocking has been decent for most of the season. Aaron Brewer, Patrick Paul and Kadyn Proctor have been relatively steady. Austin Jackson and Jonah Savaiinaea, at times, have not been good enough.
The defensive line and edge rushers get a C-.
The Dolphins are 28th in sacks per opponent pass attempt, and they rank 8th in rushing yards per play allowed. On top of that, Miami is tied for last in the NFL with just two takeaways via fumble.
Inside linebacker is one of the brighter spots, earning a C+.
Jordyn Brooks and Jacob Rodriguez look like a keeper duo, and Miami has been solid in red zone and goal-to-go situations.
Safety comes in at C-.
Dante Trader and Michael Taaffe have shown they belong in the league, though the next year or two will determine whether one or both can become long-term starters. Miami is also 32nd in the NFL in completion percentage allowed at 76 percent.
Cornerback is another C-.
The Dolphins are 14th in interception rate, 32nd in passing yards per play allowed and 14th in passing yards per game allowed. The completion percentage and passer rating allowed are both poor, but Chris Johnson, Jason Marshall Jr. and JuJu Brents have had solid stretches, so it’s a mixed picture. Miami is 32nd in the NFL with a passer rating allowed of 114.0.
Special teams get the harshest grade: F.
Miami is 32nd in kickoff coverage, 25th in punt coverage, 6th in punt return and 12th in kickoff return. The Dolphins are 26th in field goal percentage and 31st in net punting. Yuck.
That leaves the bigger picture. Special teams have been poor.
The offense has not been league average. The defense has slightly outperformed expectations.
And most importantly, the players appear to respect and appreciate the approach of Hafley, which is what matters most right now.
In Other News...
Chop Robinson Is Giving Dolphins Fans A Very Intriguing Problem
Chop Robinson has already turned a limited sample into one of the more interesting development stories on Miamis defense. The Dolphins edge rusher has been productive when he gets after the quarterback, piling up 30 total pressures on 166 pass rushes and showing the kind of burst that can change a game even without a huge workload.
The wrinkle for Miami is simple: there have not been many chances to unleash him. Because opponents have thrown so little against the Dolphins this season, Robinsons opportunities have been capped, but the production is loud enough to make you wonder what it could look like if his role grows. For a defense always looking for more disruption off the edge, that is the kind of problem worth having. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Put A Frustrating Problem At The Center Of Their Lions Loss
Penalties ended up sitting at the center of Miamis loss to the Lions, and head coach Jeff Hafley made it clear afterward that the Dolphins made life harder on themselves than Detroit did. The flags repeatedly put the offense behind the chains and chipped away at any chance to settle into a rhythm, turning a competitive game into one where Miami kept having to dig out of avoidable mistakes.
Hafleys frustration was rooted in how familiar the problem felt, because the Dolphins have seen this kind of self-inflicted damage before and know it can wreck a game plan fast. With the margin in the AFC so thin, the message coming out of the loss was less about one bad night and more about a habit Miami cannot afford to let linger if it wants to stay on track. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Should Be Careful Judging Malik Willis Right Now
Malik Willis remains the Dolphins starting quarterback for the 2023 season, even as some fans have pushed for a change. The bigger picture around his first year in Miami is less about a quick verdict and more about the circumstances he has been asked to navigate, from a weak supporting cast to the general uncertainty that comes with a team still trying to sort out its long-term direction.
Miamis front office is clearly treating Willis as a possible answer beyond this season, but that does not mean the evaluation is finished or simple. With injuries and roster questions hanging over the offense, the Dolphins are left weighing what they have seen against what they still need to see, all while knowing the next turn could come through the draft, free agency, or a different answer altogether. [Read more 🡒]