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The Miami Dolphins finished the 2022 season with a record of 9-8, putting them in second place in the AFC East and seventh place in the AFC. They alternated between winning and losing streaks throughout the year before capping off their regular-season run with an 11-6 victory over the New York Jets in January. The Dolphins suited up against the Buffalo Bills in the NFL playoffs, pulling within three points of the Bills before ending the Wild Card matchup with a 34-31 loss in Highmark Stadium.
The Dolphins made plenty of moves in the offseason to help boost or maintain the talent on their roster before the start of their 2023 campaign. They signed offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, a four-year veteran for the New England Patriots, to a one-year contract in May. They drafted South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith and Texas A&M running back De'Von Achane in the 2023 NFL Draft. They re-signed Raheem Mostert to a two-year, $5.6 million contract in March. All four were included in the initial 53-man roster the Dolphins released on Tuesday.
What are some bold predictions for the Dolphins' 2023 season?
4. Jaylen Waddle will take top-3 spot in total receiving yards
Waddle finished the 2022 season with the seventh-most receiving yards in the league. Waddle placed ahead of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith and Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin.
Waddle recorded a total of 1,356 receiving yards last season, taking finishing in second on a receiving unit that took fourth place in the league with 4,765 receiving yards in 2022, according to NFL.com.
3. Jaelan Phillips will have a breakout season
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had a simple response when asked what about linebacker Jaelan Phillips' skillset would be the most challenging to contain if he was on the other side earlier this month.
“Blocking him,” McDaniel said, via MiamiDolphins.com. “So that's a cool player to kind of highlight just because Jaelan (Phillips) is a talented guy that has worked and worked and worked, and he's starting to see the fruits of his work really bear fruition.
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“He's always been an impactful player and he has a special between whistle-to-whistle motor, that with his athleticism, he's been able to make some plays on NFL game days and really be a big part of this team.”
Phillips, a former first-round selection from UCLA and Miami, has played in 34 games and started in 20 for the Dolphins during his two-year NFL career. The 6-foot-5 linebacker recorded a season-high eight tackles during a Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, adding on two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits as the Dolphins took a 16-10 win in Hard Rock Stadium.
Phillips may have a breakout season if he continues to improve in a new-look defense and fits well with some of Miami's returning options on defense.
2. Vic Fangio-led defense will place in top half of NFL in passing yards allowed
The Dolphins hired Fangio to be their team's defensive coordinator in January. The former Denver Broncos head coach would replace Josh Boyer, who was fired the same month after spending three seasons in Miami.
Fangio, a former coordinator for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, could help boost a defense took 27th place in the NFL after it allowed a total of 3,992 passing yards in 2022, according to NFL.com.
1. The Dolphins will finish with a regular-season record of 11-6
The Dolphins will play the Eagles and the Chiefs in Weeks 7 and 9 before their bye week in Week 10. They will face the Baltimore Ravens and the Bills in Weeks 17 and 18. Miami went 1-1 against Buffalo and 1-0 against Baltimore during the 2022 regular season.
In its first few weeks, Miami must start strong with wins over the Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots. If it can, it may put itself in the right direction of earning its highest win total since the 2008 season.
