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Player Outlooks (2023)
QB Tua Tagovailoa: The scary concussion suffered by Tagovailoa last year prevented him from getting a full season to show what he can do in Mike McDaniel’s offense, but the results were extremely impressive across 13 games—and durability is the only significant concern heading into 2023. Overall, Tua is the ideal distributor for a track-star attack that can hit on a chunk play at any given moment with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the field; even including two weeks where he left early, Tagovailoa ranked No. 5 in the league in passing yards per game last season (272.9), and he should be drafted as a QB1 option.
RB Raheem Mostert: Miami apparently wants to run the ball more in 2023, but that doesn’t mean it will actually happen, and the backfield is risky right now with Dalvin Cook still lurking as a potential signing. For Mostert, he’s entering his age-31 campaign, and it will be interesting to see how big of a role the veteran has with De’Von Achane being drafted in the third round with a similar home-run skillset.
RB De’Von Achane: Assuming Cook isn’t signed, Miami is a perfect spot for Achane as an explosive runner with blazing speed, and the rookie was unsurprisingly a favorite of Mike McDaniel in the pre-draft process. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. might have an early edge, but McDaniel probably won’t be able to keep Achane off the field for long, and fantasy drafters shouldn’t overlook his between-the-tackles ability despite a smaller build at five-foot-nine.
RB Jeff Wilson Jr.: Wilson doesn’t have the pure speed of Mostert or Achane, but possessing more of the classic early-down skillset is something that could give him an edge after combining for a career-best 4.9 yards per carry and 1,045 total yards last year in Miami and San Francisco. Another season with the offensive line together in the same system—while potentially getting an upgrade at right tackle with Isaiah Wynn—should lead to an improved ground game for the Dolphins, and Wilson saw the majority of snaps down the stretch in 2022 with snap percentages of 60%, 65%, 65%, and 54% over the final four games (including playoffs).
WR Tyreek Hill: Hill avoided a decline away from the Kansas City system, and he was even able to set career-highs in receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,710) with high efficiency and explosiveness under Mike McDaniel. The potential legal issues—particularly with his history of domestic violence—for a boat incident this summer is something to keep in mind, but it doesn’t feel like the NFL will be keen on suspending Hill, and there are few players that offer his pure week-winning upside. He can be drafted as high as the overall WR4.
WR Jaylen Waddle: As expected, the big plays for Waddle climbed in a major way last year—as he averaged 18.1 yards per reception (which nearly doubled his rookie output of 9.8 yards per reception). The struggles in matchups against top opponents last year might be something to consider compared to other WR1/WR2 options, but Tagovailoa was in and out of the lineup, so another leap is certainly possible with just one touch needed—as we saw with an 84-yard touchdown on Christmas—for Waddle to have a week-changing play or performance.
WR Braxton Berrios: An All-Pro punt returner for the Jets in 2021, Berrios has a shot to be the No. 3 wideout in Miami, and turning into a legitimate FLEX option is well within the range of possibilities. That said, the Dolphins being too top-heavy to support Berrios as a fantasy option is more likely, and there are plenty of options that can push for playing time this summer.
WR Chosen Anderson: Anderson was traded to the Cardinals last year after limited production with the Panthers since his 1,000-yard season in 2021, but he was basically an afterthought with seven receptions in ten games with Arizona. Now, he’s hoping to rebuild his value for a Miami offense that values speed, so we’ll see if he can hold off some younger options to earn a roster spot and a role behind Hill and Waddle.
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.: Wilson was a headlining signing by the Dolphins last offseason, but he was targeted just 18 times in 15 games, and it’s tough to project an increase in production without knowing exactly what went into the disappointing 2022 season. The former Cowboy will look to have a strong summer to force himself into a bigger role.
WRs Braylon Sanders and Erik Ezukanma: Sanders was one of the fastest GPS-timed players for the speedy Dolphins last summer during training camp, and he’s someone we liked coming out of Ole Miss in 2022. He could have the edge over fellow second-year wideout Ezukanma (drafted in the fourth round) despite being undrafted, and Sanders should at least be a dynasty stash.
TE Durham Smythe: Tight ends were not a big part of the passing attack in McDaniel’s first season, and Smythe played 57% of the team’s offensive snaps, but averaged only one reception per game. We wouldn’t count the departure of Mike Gesicki to open up enough opportunities (including in the red zone) for Smythe to return reliable redraft value.
TE Elijah Higgins: From a long-term perspective, Higgins is a former wide receiver that can develop into a Gerald Everett-type pass-catcher with plus speed (4.54 40-yard dash), athleticism, and quickness. Year 1 value is a long shot for a sixth-round rookie, though, so Higgins should be viewed as a dynasty prospect that you might need to sit on for a couple of years.
Other Notes
Best IDP value: CB Cam Smith
The path to snaps for Smith might be difficult with Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey locked in as obvious starters and others like Nik Needham and Kader Kohou pushing for a role—but this is a pure bet on the talent. If the starting trio ends up being Howard, Ramsey, and Smith, the Dolphins will be extremely stingy and frustrating for opponents, and the second-rounder is a top-tier tackler in addition to his cover talent.
Stat to know (via draft guide)
Tua Tagovailoa ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards per attempt (8.9) and yards per completion (13.7) last season.