Dolphins 3 keys to the Season: Offense

As the Miami Dolphins prepare to begin the regular season, hopes are undeniably high among the fan base.

So with this in mind, here are the three keys to offensive success this season.

Possession and Scoring

In 2020, Miami was one of the NFL’s fastest-starting teams. In the first quarter of games, the Dolphins outscored opponents 103-55. The +48 point differential in the opening frame was the second best in the NFL.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Dolphins were third in the NFL in first-quarter scoring, averaging 6.4 points.

The 2020 Dolphins offense was one of Miami’s most productive offenses in recent years, despite having several rookie starters. The unit averaged 339.0 yards per game, the highest since 2014. 

In 2020 the Dolphins offense averaged 339.0 yards per game, which was the team’s most since 2014.

The expectation for 2021 should be near and hopefully above 2020's production level.

— Hussam Patel (@HussamPatel) September 2, 2021

Miami gained 345 first downs, which was tied for the second-most the team’s had since at least 1991 and was the most since the 2014 season. The Dolphins also recorded their best time of possession (31:16 average) since 1999.

I know there are those that hated MIA's 2020 offense.

The unit averaged 339.0 yards per game, which
was the team’s most since 2014. Miami also totaled
345 first downs, which was tied for the 2nd-most
MIA has had since at least 1991 & was the most since the 2014 season

— Jason Sarney (@Jason_Sarney) August 16, 2021

If the Dolphins can continuously get out to fast starts with a brand new offense that looks to score early and often this season it will stress opposing teams to score and make mistakes.

Sort of like the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mike Gesicki and the TE Unit

The tight end unit was the most productive group in Dolphins history. TE Mike Gesicki led the TE room with 53 receptions for 703 yards, and six touchdowns. His 703 receiving yards were the fourth best among all tight ends in 2020 and trails only Randy McMichael in Dolphins History.

.@mikegesicki makes the most difficult catches look easy. 😮

(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/XB67YivQa3

— NFL (@NFL) June 13, 2021

The Tua to Gesicki connection will be one of the most important things to watch out for this season. An offseason together should have both Tua and Mike in sync. Along with former TEs coach George Godsey as the co-offensive coordinator, the offense could be predicated on getting Gesicki moving the chains early and often.

.@Tua letting it FLY for @mikegesicki 🎯

📺: #MIAvsCHI on @NFLNetwork (or check local listings)
📱: https://t.co/VJzItUyljP pic.twitter.com/HXktUOGqiB

— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2021

The rest of the tight end group compliments Mike Gesicki really well. Durham Smythe is primarily known as the run blocker of the group who will look to be a key blocker in the RPO game. Smythe can also catch as an in-line tight end. He had 26 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Furthermore, Adam Shaheen is more of a red zone threat who hauled in 12 catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Dolphins TE Durham Smythe is 6'6", 260 lb. and can do this apparently pic.twitter.com/1TrjgNrJ40

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 21, 2020

Lastly, the TE room is rounded off with third round rookie Hunter Long. At Boston College last season, Long was actually their leading receiver. And finally, Cethan Carter, who was signed as a free agent looks to be a fullback in personnel groupings.

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Running game and the OL

Obviously, Miami has one of the youngest offensive lines in the NFL. They made history last year against the Cincinnati Bengals as they started three rookies on the offensive line. First-round pick Austin Jackson, second-round pick Robert Hunt, and fourth-round pick Solomon Kindley combined to start 37 games last season and allowed 34 sacks, finishing 15th in the league. In spite of that, there’s still lots of room for improvement.

Another big run, who’s there? Robert Hunt again. pic.twitter.com/UHrbCtLCJZ

— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) December 23, 2020

The Dolphins injected more youth into the offensive line this season, drafting Liam Eichenberg in the second round who looks to play right tackle this season. Michael Deiter won the center job, not that it was a competition anyway. Jesse Davis rounds it out as the 6th man– he’s the oldest player on the line at just 29 years old. Undoubtedly, he’ll start at right tackle until Eichenberg is deemed ready.

Miami’s 2nd RD pick Liam Eichenberg didn’t allow a single sack over the last two seasons

pic.twitter.com/iywZIxYFN4

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 30, 2021

Despite missing six games last year, RB Myles Gaskin was very productive in the games he played in 2020, finishing in the top 10 in scrimmage yards per game. Gaskin averaged 97.2 scrimmage yards per game. To put it another way, he’s better than he’s given credit for.

myles gaskin, RB1 pic.twitter.com/lHcXvaHOmF

— josh houtz (@houtz) August 22, 2021

RB Salvon Ahmed played in only five games last year and had the franchise’s two best rushing performances by an undrafted rookie. Ahmed gained 85 rushing yards in his second NFL game against the Chargers. It was the most rushing yards by an undrafted rookie in Dolphins history. He then beat that mark against the New England Patriots as he rushed for 122 yards, the team’s first 100 yard rushing performance since 2018.

Salvon Ahmed told his grandmother who is in the hospital that he'd rush for 100 yards for her.

No @MiamiDolphins player had done that in two years.
He finished with 122 yards and a TD. 🙏 (via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/CTxX5cQlD7

— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020

In summary, the best way to help Tagovailoa this season is for the OL to protect him better than last year. The OL will need to open up holes in the run game. Austin Jackson struggled in the preseason and needs to go back to form in the regular season. The right side combo of Robert Hunt and Jesse Davis/Liam Eichenberg should provide stability on Tua’s blindside and continue to pave the way for the run game.

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