Miami Dolphins

Despite having the easiest schedule in the NFL in the last 25 years, the Miami Dolphins sputtered to an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs. Now, pressure may be mounting for GM Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel, who must quickly rebuild the trenches on both sides and navigate injury and off-the-field woes.

The chief concern for the Dolphins is keeping QB Tua Tagovailoa healthy. Tagovailoa has a well-chronicled concussion history and can ill afford to put himself in a position to take another big hit. Worse, a Dolphins' offensive line that ranked 20th in pass protection also lost LT Terron Armstead, who retired. Tagovailoa has missed 3-plus games in four of his five seasons and ranked just 16th in fantasy points per game last season. There is too much risk to consider Tagovailoa anything more than an adequate fantasy QB2 with modest week-to-week streaming appeal.

A popular breakout pick last summer, RB De'Von Achane stayed healthy and lived up to those lofty expectations. The second-year dynamo ranked 5th in PPR scoring and led all running backs in receptions (78) and touchdown grabs (6). Raheem Mostert departed in free agency, leaving Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison as the only competition for touches. Achane should be viewed as an elite fantasy option who will command a second-round price tag in redraft formats.

Miami led the league with 401.3 yards of offense per game in 2023 but fell to 20th last year, averaging 75 fewer yards per contest. Injuries played a big part in that, as Jaylen Waddle missed a pair of games and Tyreek Hill battled a wrist injury all season. Now, Hill is rumored to be on the trade block after some bizarre social media posts and on domestic incident clouded his future. A healthy Hill is still one of the most dynamic weapons in football, but he's a risky WR2 in fantasy.

Waddle failed to accrue 100 targets for the first time in his career, resulting in his worst fantasy performance. There's some rebound potential here, especially if Hill is absent. Waddle is an upside WR3 in PPR formats. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will be a WR3 upgrade over Odell Beckham and Malik Washington, who slides down to this year's WR4 role.

At tight end, Jonnu Smith proved to be a savvy late-round target, finishing as the overall TE4 on a career-high 111 targets. We don't expect Smith to repeat that production, but the Dolphins will see plenty of fantasy-friendly game scripts and return more-or-less intact. Smith is a solid second-tier TE1 to target in the middle rounds.

Fantasy Grade: B-

QB Tua Tagovailoa - Quality Backup

Tua Tagovailoa's 2025 fantasy outlook hinges on health and efficiency in Miami's high-octane offense. In 2024, he posted a league-best 72.9% completion rate, 2,867 yards, 19 TDs, and 7 INTs in 11 starts, with a 2.36-second time-to-throw and 5.1 air yards per attempt, showcasing quick, precise decision-making. However, his injury history—missing six games (concussion, hip)—makes him a high-risk QB2. There are also concerns about Hill's status on the roster, which increases the risk. Tagovailoa adds little as a runner, which caps his upside. It's hard to envision a path to top 12 numbers, making him a mid-range QB2.

RB Alexander Mattison - Low Potential

ADVICE: Mattison has averaged under four yards per carry in four consecutive seasons. He's not taking carries away from De'Von Achane. He can, however, play in short-yardage or give Achane a breather. Mattison profiles as a middling handcuff in deeper leagues.

RB De'Von Achane - Stud (low risk)

After a dynamic rookie season, De'Von Achane again was one of the most efficient fantasy options. Despite seeing a middling 59.1 percent opportunity share (24th), Achane finished as the RB6, averaging 17.6 PPR points per game. The main catalyst for that production came via his high-volume role in Miami's passing attack. Achane was essentially the Dolphins' WR3. He led all RBs in receptions (78), receiving yards (592), and TD grabs (6). Raheem Mostert is gone, and Miami didn't add any real competition to reduce Achane's touches. He looks primed to post another top-5 season in 2025.

RB Jaylen Wright - Dynasty Only

Had his moments as a rookie but Wright will compete with Alexander Mattison for backup duties.

WR Tyreek Hill - Solid/Safe Pick

Last season, Hill started strong (7/130/1) but struggled midseason (48/571/3), hampered by wrist and foot injuries. He rebounded in Weeks 14 and 17 but ended weakly. His 11.8 yards per catch was a career low. Even in a down season (by his standards), Hill still ranked 16th in targets (122) and caught 81 balls for 959 yards and half a dozen scores. Quarterback woes were the biggest factor in the drop-off, but off-the-field concerns also hold down his potential. At 31, Hill's 2024 decline ranks him as a mid-tier WR2, with his value tied to Tagovailoa's health.

WR Jaylen Waddle - Quality Backup

After Tyreek Hill joined Miami, Jaylen Waddle's explosiveness grew, though his 2022 targets dropped to 117 from 141. He recorded 75 catches for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 18.1 yards per catch. In 2023, injuries limited him to 14 games, with 72 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns, his lowest marks in three years. Last season, Waddle's yards per catch fell to 12.8, with 58 catches and two touchdowns, underperforming in 10 of 15 starts. His best games (5/109, 8/144/1, 9/99) were at home. As a mid-tier WR3, Waddle's high ceiling offers value in 2025 drafts.

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine - Deep-league Only

Don't overreact to last season's gaudy TD numbers. NWI won't get many targets as Miami's WR3.

WR Malik Washington - Dynasty Only

TE Pharaoh Brown - Low Potential

It's possible Brown is the nominal starter in Miami, but he has no upside. Brown is nothing more than a weak bye week replacement for fantasy managers who 'punt' TE on draft day.

TE Jonnu Smith - Solid/Safe Pick

2024 was a breakout year for Jonnu Smith, averaging 13.2 points per game (PPR) with 88 receptions, 884 yards, and eight touchdowns. His 20.2 percent designed target rate and 0.139 first downs per route run metric highlight his efficiency in Mike McDaniel's quick-pass offense. Smith's red-zone prowess (7 TDs) and YAC ability (357 yards) make him a reliable TE1. However, being traded to Pittsburgh significantly hurts Smith's value.

TE Julian Hill - Bye Week Fill-in

After Jonnu Smith was traded to Pittsburgh, Hill will get the chance to see an added role in Miami's offense. But we're expecting the Dolphins to utilize more 11 personnel and throw far fewer targets to the tight ends. Keep in mind that Jonnu Smith's breakout coincided with injuries, so don't expect anywhere near the same target share.