11 season predictions for 11 Dolphins position groups: Stars, flops and more

After countless practices in the spring and summer, the Dolphins have a feel for the team they can be in 2022. But each NFL season takes on a life of its own, with twists and turns.

There will be standouts — and surprises. There will be disappointments and injuries that thrust players into the spotlight.

Here are 11 season predictions for each of the Dolphins’ 11 position groups.

Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa will become the first Dolphins QB since 2015 to throw for 4,000 yards.

Paired with a head coach in Mike McDaniel that has empowered him and additions such as wide receiver Tyreek Hill and offensive tackle Terron Armstead, it shouldn’t be hard for Tagovailoa to clear career marks for passing yards (2,653) and touchdowns (16). But we will go a step forward. Only two Dolphins quarterbacks — Dan Marino and Ryan Tannehill — have thrown for 4,000 yards in a season. Marino did it a handful of times in the 1980s and 90s, and Tannehill reached the feat in 2014 and 2015. Though McDaniel comes to Miami with the reputation of a run game expert, the Dolphins’ personnel suggests they will be more prolific passing the ball. Tagovailoa takes advantage of those skill-position players with his best season to date.

Running back: The Dolphins won’t have a 1,000-yard rusher.

The Dolphins have a pair of veteran additions in Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert who should take most of the carries in the backfield. But between those two and Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed, none has ever rushed for 1,000 yards in a season. It’s due to multiple factors — injury, role, poor blocking — but McDaniel figures to divide the touches. In McDaniel’s five seasons in San Francisco as run game coordinator and then offensive coordinator, the 49ers never had a 1,000-yard rusher.

Wide receiver: Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will give the Dolphins their first pair of 1,000-yard receivers in the same year since the 1991 season.

With Hill and Waddle in South Florida, the Dolphins haven’t had a more dynamic receiving duo since the days of the Marks Brothers. Their numbers will resemble those of the ‘90s with both receivers topping the 1,000-yard mark. This could seem a bit ambitious, but with an extra game, the two just need to average 59 yards per game. McDaniel will prioritize the two most electric players on the team.

Tight end: Durham Smythe will outsnap Mike Gesicki.

Gesicki’s role in a McDaniel-led offense that requires tight ends to block has been monitored throughout training camp and will be one to watch during the season. In 2021, Gesicki logged 112 more snaps than Smythe in an offense that often featured two tight ends. McDaniel will still find ways to feature Gesicki as a pass-catcher but will lean on Smythe, the more reliable blocker.

Offensive line: The Dolphins will finish in the top half of ESPN’s pass block win rate.

This would be a significant improvement for a unit that in 2021 finished dead last in the metric, defined as how long a lineman can hold a block for at least 2.5 seconds. There are still questions about Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson, but Armstead and center Connor Williams should provide stability to an otherwise young group. The line’s growth — led by position coach Matt Applebaum — will play a big part in one of the league’s most explosive passing offenses.

Defensive line: Christian Wilkins will set a career high in sacks.

The fourth-year defensive lineman set a career high in tackles last season and then was one of the team’s top performers in camp. On a talented and deep defensive front, Wilkins continues to take a step forward, this time exceeding last season’s 4.5-sack total. That should then result in a sizable extension next offseason.

Outside linebacker: Jaelan Phillips will build on a standout rookie year but fall short of double-digit sacks.

Phillips set the bar high as a rookie, registering 8.5 sacks, second most on the team. The natural expectation is he reaches double-digit sacks, a feat that has not been reached by a Dolphins player since Cameron Wake in 2017. ESPN Analytics projects Phillips’ 2022 sack total at 6.2, which might seem low for an ascending player. Between the myriad options on the edge that the Dolphins have, Phillips won’t reach 10 sacks but will improve as a run defender, one of his shortcomings last season.

Inside linebacker: Channing Tindall will be logjammed amid a veteran position group.

The rookie linebacker has the physical traits to contribute to the Dolphins’ defense in Year 1. Tindall could find a niche role as a blitzer or QB spy. But defensive coordinator Josh Boyer has faith in an unheralded position group headlined by Jerome Baker. He will play almost every down, while Elandon Roberts and Duke Riley will be utilized against the run and pass, respectively. All three will outsnap Tindall this season.

Cornerback: Xavien Howard will record at least five interceptions for the third consecutive season.

Every season Howard has been healthy, he has produced like a top-tier cornerback. McDaniel has monitored Howard’s practice reps during the summer to ensure one of his best players is in peak shape during the season. While eyes will be on the cornerback spot opposite him with Byron Jones out, Howard will continue his ball-hawking ways.

Safety: Jevon Holland will be voted to his first career Pro Bowl.

Holland is the top candidate on the Dolphins’ roster for a breakout season. He was inspired by a trip to last season’s Pro Bowl and was a menace for quarterbacks throughout camp. Holland will have tough competition for one of the AFC’s safety spots. But his ability to play everywhere on the field for potentially one of the league’s top units will result in him being named to the NFL’s all-star game in his second season.

Specialists: After regressing in 2021, Jason Sanders will make 90 percent of his field-goal attempts.

The root cause of Sanders’ struggles in 2021 was never identified but he seems to have put it behind him. He made eight of nine field-goal attempts in the preseason, including four from 50-plus yards. The Dolphins should be in a lot of competitive games in 2022 and will need Sanders to provide them with some clutch kicks. He will more resemble his 2021 All-Pro year.