The Miami Dolphins are on the verge of making the playoffs for their first time in 17 years. After a trade deadline move that included Tyreek Hill, and then more moves to help build competitive depth, this team is looking better than ever. The question now becomes can they make it through one game without blowing any leads?
The “what team is tyreek hill on” is a question that has been asked for years now. The answer is the Miami Dolphins. With Tyreek Hill traded to the Chiefs, the Dolphins become instant playoff contenders.
2:40 p.m. Eastern
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ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques
MIAMI, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins haven’t had a top-10 offense since 1995, which is the NFL’s longest drought. It won’t be for a lack of skill if the run lasts another season.
Miami officially become an AFC contender on Wednesday after signing Pro Bowl lineman Terron Armstead to a five-year deal and trading five draft selections to the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Given the moves made by playoff contenders like the Chargers (Khalil Mack), Broncos (Russell Wilson), Bills (Von Miller), Raiders (Davante Adams, Chandler Jones), and Browns (Deshaun Watson), Dolphins general manager Chris Grier wanted to make a statement in coach Mike McDaniel’s first season.
From the start of his press conference, McDaniel made it obvious what his team’s needs were. When asked whether he believes third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can lead this offense to success, he reminded everyone that Tagovailoa isn’t exclusively accountable for the offensive’s performance.
“I’ve never seen a quarterback win a football game on his own,” he remarked. “He’ll need someone to throw to. Someone has to block him so he doesn’t be tackled before he throws.”
The Dolphins are better off in all aspects with Hill and Armstead alone, but these are just the latest adjustments in what has been a weeklong offensive identity makeover.
With the additions of Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert, the Dolphins boosted their backfield, fortified their offensive line with Connor Williams, and acquired another speedster at receiver in Cedrick Wilson. With Armstead and Hill, Miami will have a total of six new starters on the field next season, all of whom have one thing in common: speed.
Fullback Alec Ingold commented, “Absolutely blazing speed quick.” “Everyone will be on the go. The whole offensive is going to be on the move.”
And Ingold, who is expected to start for Miami in 2022, was simply chatting about his teammates in the backfield.
It’s one thing to bring in Mostert, Edmonds, and Wilson. Hill’s acquisition, which cost the Dolphins a 2022 first-round selection (No. 29), a 2022 second-round pick (No. 50), and a fourth-round pick, as well as fourth- and sixth-round choices in the 2023 draft, provides them the NFL’s best home run threat regardless of position.
Per ESPN Stats & Information research, Hill has 26 receiving touchdowns on passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield over the past five seasons — four more than the Dolphins have in that same span. Since Miami drafted Tagovailoa in 2020, its wide receivers have averaged 2.64 yards of separation on targets, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, the fourth-lowest mark in the league.
Last season, Hill’s 3.59 average yards of separation placed 13th in the NFL. Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins’ top receiver, was 26th in the NFL in this statistic with 3.32 yards.
Tyreek Hill is one of just four players in the NFL’s history to have at least six touchdown receptions in each of his first six seasons. Icon Sportswire/Scott Winters
Waddle and Hill are now the fastest wide receiver combination in NFL history, but don’t mistake their speed for a deep-ball threat. Last season, Waddle and Hill were eighth and tenth in yards after the catch, respectively.
That’s an important statistic to note, since Tagovailoa’s average depth of target last season was the fourth lowest in the league (6.92 yards). Among qualifying quarterbacks, he attempted the second-fewest throws of at least 25 yards last season, yet he led the league in completion % on such passes.
Tagovailoa is in the midst of a make-or-break season. The excuses of his inexperienced supporting cast, terrible offensive line, and underwhelming coaching staff are no longer valid.
On one side, he has the NFL’s most dangerous wide receiver, while on the other, he has the franchise’s rookie catches leader. Mostert, the NFL’s quickest running back, and Edmonds, one of the league’s most versatile backs, are behind him statistically.
Hill, Mostert, and Waddle are three of the offense’s players that have run faster than 21 mph on the field.
And that’s just the new stuff. At tight end, Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe return, and the club has yet to decide who it will choose in the NFL draft next month.
Not to add, many players and coaches around the league see the play-caller as an offensive “guru.”
When asked why he selected the Dolphins, Edmonds responded, “It seemed like McDaniel did a pretty fantastic job of just being creative and sort of playing to his guys’ styles.” “I think one thing that gets lost in coaching is that folks want to constantly depend on the system or whatever they’re bringing into an offense, and then they lose sight of the importance of truly playing to your players’ skills.”
“And I thought McDaniel and the Niners did an excellent job of just playing to their players’ talents, strengths, and finding ways to use individuals and maximize their productivity.”
This offseason, the Titans, Bills, Bengals, Raiders, Chargers, Browns, and Broncos all made big personnel moves, further complicating an already muddled AFC playoff picture.
Make sure to add the Dolphins in that equation now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Dolphins trade for Tyreek Hill?
A: The Miami Dolphins traded Jarvis Landry to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2019 5th round pick.
Why did Tyreek Hill go to the Dolphins?
A: The Buffalo Bills traded him to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2018 third-round pick.
Why did Tyreek Hill get traded?
A: The Kansas City Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the New England Patriots.
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