Dolphins 2022 grades: Assessing an offense that broke through under Mike McDaniel

Paired with the offensive play-calling of first-year coach Mike McDaniel and key additions such as Tyreek Hill and Terron Armstead, Tua Tagovailoa had a breakout season in his third year.

Despite facing late struggles and sustaining a second diagnosed concussion that sidelined him for the final three games of the season, the Dolphins were one of the most dynamic units in the NFL when Tagovailoa was in the lineup. After a season that finished with the franchise’s first playoff appearance in 2016, the Dolphins hope to keep Tagovailoa healthy in 2023 and continue to build a unit that showed promising signs.

In the first of a two-part series, the Miami Herald will give out grades to each Dolphins position group for the 2022 NFL season. First is the offense.

QUARTERBACKS | B+

Tagovailoa had his best season to date in 2022, throwing a career-high 25 touchdowns and finishing the regular season as the NFL’s highest-rated passer. His anticipation and accuracy thrived under McDaniel and with speedy receivers Hill and Jaylen Waddle. However, a pair of diagnosed concussions sidelined him for five games, including the final two of the regular season and the season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round.

Backup Teddy Bridgewater wasn’t able to maintain a level of play near Tagovailoa, and his own injuries forced rookie Sylar Thompson into the starting role for the final two games. By most efficiency metrics, the Dolphins had one of the best offenses in the NFL when Tagovailoa played and one of the worst when he didn’t.

If 2022 showed anything, it’s that Tagovailoa has the skill set to be an effective and winning quarterback. But durability concerns are warranted, even if Dolphins decision-makers say they don’t expect his spate of head injuries to be an issue moving forward.

Running backs | B-

The Dolphins brought in Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds in the offseason to help lead McDaniel’s zone running scheme. While Edmonds had the ability to be a do-it-all back in the offense, he struggled to catch on and was traded to the Denver Broncos in a trade-deadline-day deal. Miami also brought in Jeff Wilson Jr. on the same day in a trade with the 49ers, giving McDaniel a 1-2 punch with backs he worked with in San Francisco.

Both Mostert and Wilson gave the Dolphins a physical element in the run game that the offense lacked last season. Mostert averaged 4.92 yards per carry, which ranked 12th in the NFL, and Wilson’s 4.67 average after he was traded to Miami ranked 17th. But the Dolphins averaged 2.73 yards after contact per carry, which was tied for 20th.

Fullback Alec Ingold was an under-the-radar signing for the Dolphins, with a versatile skill set as a blocker and occasional pass-catcher.

Wide receivers | A

No team had a more dangerous duo of wide receivers in 2022 than the Dolphins. Hill was everything the Dolphins could have hoped for and more in his first season. A first-team All-Pro selection, Hill set career highs in catches and receiving yards and broke franchise records for both marks. In his second season, Waddle morphed into one of the league’s top deep threats. He led the NFL with 18 yards per reception. Trent Sherfield emerged as the team’s No. 3 receiver and was a reliable option for Tagovailoa in a career-best season. The Cedrick Wilson Jr. signing didn’t have the impact that was expected; he was one of the best slot receivers in Dallas but fell behind on the depth chart and recorded his fewest catches and yards since his rookie season.

Tight ends | D+

The Dolphins never found the right mix at the tight end position. Mike Gesicki, whose lackluster blocking made his fit in the offense a question mark, caught five touchdown passes but his snaps, targets, catches and receptions were all the fewest since his rookie season. Durham Smythe logged the most snaps among the team’s tight ends but wasn’t a factor in the passing game after a career year in 2021 and wasn’t much of an impact blocker. The team had high hopes for Hunter Long in his second season but he struggled with injuries and never worked his way into a prominent role.

Offensive line | B-

After starting eight different offensive line combinations in 2021, the Dolphins took multiple steps to bring stability to a young group. Miami signed Armstead and Connor Williams to bring a veteran presence and honed in on developing recent high draft picks Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg.

But Miami started nine different groups again in 2022 after injuries struck the position group. Armstead was an elite player at left tackle but played through multiple injuries and missed four games. Eichenberg and Jackson both missed extended time because of injuries; Jackson missed all but two games because of an ankle sprain.

There were positive developments, though, as Williams’ move from guard to center worked out well and Hunt continued his upward progression at right guard.

The Dolphins didn’t commit to the run often — which was McDaniel’s specialty in San Francisco — but got more comfortable with the zone running scheme as the season progressed. Miami averaged 1.59 yards before contact per carry, which ranked 16th in the NFL. Dolphins quarterbacks were pressured on 34.1 percent of dropbacks, according to TruMedia, which ranked 18th, but that figure was likely boosted by Tagovailoa’s quick time to throw.

If Armstead can remain healthy in 2023, the Dolphins have three quality starters on the offensive line. But questions remain regarding Jackson and Eichenberg after injuries stunted their development.