Dolphins Fall Below Jags And Pats In ESPN’s Preseason Roster Ranking

With just two days until the Miami Dolphins officially take the field for the first time in the 2025 NFL season. To commemorate the beginning of a new year, ESPN assembled a team of three football analysts to grade and rank all 32 rosters.

After adding a three time All-Pro, welcoming in an eight player draft class, and making a handful of moves during the free agency frenzy, the Dolphins did not impress ESPN’s panel. The team fell inside the bottom quarter of the league, earning the 24th ‘best lineup’.

It seems as though the low ranking hinges on the team’s drastic decline on the ground last season. ESPN’s Seth Walder says the Phins running game will be the “X-Factor” come September.

“The Dolphins went from the most efficient running game in the league by EPA per play in 2023 to second worst last season. Run blocking played a big part of that (Miami dropped from sixth to 26th in run block win rate), but the running back performance dropped, too,” Walder writes. “One way or another, Mike McDaniel will need to get the ground attack back on track.”

‘Biggest Strength’

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine the Miami Dolphins biggest strength. While Achane is looking to prove himself as one of the leagues top backs, and the pass rush looks like it will really be a threat, the receiving room is one of the strongest units in the NFL.

“Miami’s receivers might’ve underperformed last season, but this Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle-led group is super talented and a good bet for a rebound,” Mike Clay writes. “Dealing with injuries and two-high safety looks at a league-high rate, Hill plummeted from 1,799 yards and 13 TDs in 2023 to 959 yards and six scores in 2024. Meanwhile, Waddle posted 58 receptions and 744 yards in 15 games after clearing 70 receptions and 1,000 yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. Miami also upgraded its depth by signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine…”

You can never predict an injury, but if I had to bet on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s determination to prove he can be the front man on a winning football team, I’d feel comfortable doing so. Tua is a National Champion quarterback who has proven his ability to rise to the occasion. So like Mike Clay, I am also anticipating a bounce back performance from this passing game.

‘Biggest Weakness’

For the regular Phin Phanatic, you’re probably tired of hearing about how questionable the team’s secondary is. I know I’m certainly tired of writing it. At this point, the hay is in the barn. The roster is what the roster is, the team only has $1.2 million left to spend and it is likely they will hold onto it in case an injury causes a necessity for a mid season signing.

It’s up to head coach Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver to get the most out of the young secondary. Still, Clay had to point out the obvious in the ‘biggest weakness’ section.

“Miami’s biggest strength this time last year has become its glaring weakness … and perhaps one of the league’s biggest,” Clay began. “Both starting safeties (Jordan Poyer, Jevon Holland) are gone, as well as top corners Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey. Oddly, the Dolphins didn’t do much to replace them, adding Artie Burns, Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu (the trio combined for 468 snaps in 2024). Fifth-rounders Jason Marshall Jr. and Dante Trader Jr. were their only draft selections in the secondary. Slot corner Kader Kohou is pretty good, but the situation around him is a massive question.”