A lot of things have happened last year, trades bringing in top tier talent like WR Tyreek Hill, DE/OLB Bradley Chubb, a few key FA signings, notably C/OG Connor Williams and LT Terron Armstead. With less than a handful of 2023 NFL Draft picks, the front office once again entered the trade market and acquired a huge piece for our defense, CB/S/LB Jalen Ramsey. There were a few FA signings, LB David Long formerly of the Tennessee Titans, S DeShon Elliott from the Detroit Lions, LB Malik Reed from the Steelers, TE Eric Saubert from the Broncos, WR Braxton Berrios and OG Dan Feeney from the Jets and more recently, we’ve signed a couple of OT’s, former 1st RD picks Isaiah Wynn from the Patriots, and Cedric Ogbuehi from the Jets. Besides player personnel, we also signed one of the defensive minds in the NFL, DC Vic Fangio.
I can’t remember a player added via trade that had an impact like Tyreek Hill. He was better than anyone could have hoped, he completely changed the offense, the game, everything. He’s a dynamic force that even when teams employ multiple personnel to try to contain him, is still able to impact the game. On the downside, Bradley Chubb was less, much less that advertised as a Dolphins defender last season. I think that changes significantly this season with Vic Fangio. I can’t wait to see Phillips and Chubb feast with Fangio running the D. Fangio, no doubt was behind acquiring Jalen Ramsey, who will deployed at multiple positions, but the key here is we have so much depth, with S Brandon Jones returning, and the addition of S DeShon Elliott so that Fangio can move guys around without missing a beat. The NFL is set up for parity, but our depth right now both on offense and defense is the best it’s been in a very long time.
Although we didn’t have a lot of picks in this year’s draft, that doesn’t mean we didn’t add valuable players, quite the contrary. Our first pick, CB Cam Smith will have opportunities to play this season. I can’t say he will be the starter outside Game 1, but I do believe he could be before the end of the season. He was a pick both for now, and definitely for the future. CB Xavien Howard is on the decline, and while he possesses excellent ball skills, we have seen his speed, mostly recovery speed diminish. I love that we re-signed AVG, and added Malik Reed and last year’s first pick (3rd RD pick) Channing Tindall will all be key depth guys to help rush the passer. Our depth is truly impressive, with starters DE Zach Sieler, NT Raekwon Davis and DE Christian Wilkins, and then the LB crew of Jaelan Phillips, David Long, Jerome Baker and Bradley Chubb, CB’s Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, along with safeties Brandon Jones and Jevon Holland. There will be a lot of mixing and matching personnel. Now keep in mind, this is just the defense I’m talking about!
Like I said, having only 4 picks doesn’t mean we didn’t bring in impact players, and I think our second pick, RB De’Von Achane may provide a ton of excitement this season. He will get touches as a return man, both punts and kicks. He will see the field as a RB, and he will be a demon as a receiver out of the backfield. With Hill, Waddle, Berrios, Anderson, Cracraft and even draft pick Elijah Higgins, you simply can’t cover ALL-THAT-SPEED. A-Chain is going to be fun to watch. Now I didn’t mention QB Mike White as one of our FA acquisitions, but let’s face it, we were ridiculously unlucky with our QB’s last season. Tua’s fragility has been well documented, but how many times did our 2nd and 3rd string QB’s get hurt, and a few times in the same game. Mike White also got knocked out of action, but he was tossed around like a rag doll by Buffalo that one game. I expect him, if needed to be better than what we had last season in Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Skylar Thompson. White was impressive when given decent protection, and he played through some tough rib injuries. We all hope Tua remains unscathed the entire season, but I believe if we need Mike White for a game or two, he can deliver.
On special teams, we have new punter, Jake Bailey formerly of the Patriots. K Jason Sanders looks to have a bounce back season. Braxton Berrios, and draftee De’Von Achane will be the return men. With the excellent depth we have on our defense, and offense, our ST’s coverage should be much better than last season with all the injuries. It’s not crazy to expect both our offense and defense to both be top units, certainly top 10 or better. When was the last time you felt this way, and had legitimate conviction about it? So, be excited Dolphins fans, really, be excited! It’s OK, I know somewhere inside there’s that Dolphins Fan Reflex that makes it difficult to get hyped, but we have a very talented team, and I think we have the right coaches to get what we need from the deep roster. GET HYPED!!!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
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