The Miami Dolphins in 2022 have more optimism among the fan base than any other year in recent memory. A Miami Dolphins 2022 preview is not complete without looking at the new toys on offense. The Dolphins revamped their Running Backs, Wide Receiver, and Offensive Line rooms this off season. The defense has been good to very good over the last 2 seasons, and they kept all starters and the D.C. from 2021. Mike McDaniel comes over from San Francisco where he was OC with the 49ers. He brings an offensive mind to Miami that will feature the running game heavily. The Dolphins have hired offensive minded coaches in recent memory; Joe Philbin and Adam Gase. But this hire feels different. Philbin made his name with Aaron Rodgers and Gase with Peyton Manning. McDaniel made his name with Jimmy Garappolo.
Tyreek Hill Trade
In addition to McDaniel coming over from San Francisco, the Dolphins revamped their Running Backs, Wide Receivers, and Offensive Line. The biggest move for the Dolphins, and maybe the entire league, was the Tyreek Hill trade. Miami sent their 1st, 3nd, and 4th round picks in the 2022 and an additional 4th and 6th in next year’s draft to Kansas City. the Fins then inked Hill to a 4-year/$72.2 million contract with $52.535 million guaranteed. Great news for the Miami Dolphins 2022 preview.
Make or Break for Tua
This is the make or break season for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. His first 2 seasons were tremulous to say the least. Former coach Brian Flores did not want Tua as his quarterback. He is finally healthy for a full offseason, and has the weapons around him to highlight his strengths. Pair that with an offensive minded coach and a system that is QB friendly, and Tua has not more excuses.
Schedule Breakdown
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9/11 vs. New England Patriots
9/18 @ Baltimore Ravens
9/25 vs Buffalo Bills
9/25 @ Cincinnati Bengals (Thursday Night Football)
10/9 @ New York Jets
10/16 vs Minnesota Vikings
10/23 vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday night Football)
10/30 @ Detroit Lions
11/6 @ Chicago Bears
11/13 vs Cleveland Browns
11/20 BYE
11/27 vs. Houston Texans
12/4 @ San Francisco 49ers
12/11 @ Los Angeles Chargers
12/18 @ Buffalo Bills
12/25 vs Green Bay Packers
1/1 @ New England Patriots
1/8 vs. New York JetsWhat a start for the Fins. Home games against the Patriots and Bills and road games against Baltimore and Cincinnati on a Thursday night. Tua has never lost to New England, and I think that continues. The Ravens game is the toss up here, but I can’t give them a win. Buffalo has owned Miami with Josh Allen, and until they can be competitive, they don’t deserve the benefit of winning a home divisional game. A road Thursday night game is always tough, so another L. Fins start 1-3. Then they hit the stretch where they can make some headway. I’ve got them going 6-1 over their next 7 beating the Jets, Steelers, Lions, Bears, Browns, and Texans while losing to Minnesota. Fins are 7-4 before hitting the second difficult stretch. Miami gets wins against San Fran and New England while dropping the other 3. 9-7 with a week 17 matchup against the Jets. That’s a win.
Prediction: 10-7
Key Additions
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LT Terron Armstead (New Orleans Saints); 5-year/$75 million
WR Tyreek Hill (via trade with KC); 4-year/$72.5 million
WR Cedrick Wilson (Dallas Cowboys); 3-year/$22.05 million
C Connor Williams (Dallas Cowboys); 2-year/$14.04 million
RB chase Edmonds (Arizona Cardinals); 2-year/$12.1 million
OLB Melvin Ingram (Kansas City Chiefs); 1-year/$4 million
Fantasy Outlook
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Miami has some real fantasy options for your team this year. Tyreek Hill is a WR1 that should be targeted mid to late 2nd round. Jaylen Waddle is a high end WR2 that will go in the 3rd round, maybe 4th if you’re lucky. Cedrick Wilson is worth rostering, but don’t use him as a starter to start the season. Chase Edmonds is the RB that you want in this offense. Miami signed him hours into free agency, and he has been the feature back in Training Camp. Because we don’t know exactly how this rushing attack will look, do not use him as a starter. He has a ton of upside though. TE Mike Gesicki is a low-end starter/ high-end backup. Target him later in your draft. I would not draft the defense because the schedule is so difficult. However, picking them up after week 4 is a great idea.
Best Cast Scenario
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Plain and simple; Tua proves he’s the long-term answer at quarterback and leads the team to a playoff win. This roster is too talented for anything short of a playoff appearance to be acceptable. They also need to show that they have closed the gap with the Bills in the division. The Dolphins can get to 12 wins if everything goes right. Start the season 2-2, then rattle off 7 wins in a row to get to 9-2. If they can then find a way to beat the 9ers, Patriots, and Packers at home on Christmas, plus the Jets win this team will be 12-5.
Best Case Scenario: 12-5 with a Wild Card win
