Dolphins’ Strength Sparks Hope, But Weakness Looms Large

The Miami Dolphins enter the 2025 season with high expectations—and The Bleacher Report put the spotlight on why.

In his recent feature, Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine highlighted what he sees as the Dolphins’ biggest strength and weakness this season.

If things break right, the Dolphins could end up competing in the AFC.

If not, familiar and new cracks might start to show.

Offensive Speed Powers 2025 Dolphins

The biggest reason to believe in the Miami Dolphins this season comes down to speed.

Ballentine’s feature tagged the Dolphins’ skill position players as their biggest strength this season.

And it’s hard to argue that.

With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins boast one of the fastest wide receiver tandems in the NFL.

Hill and Waddle will remain a constant threat with the kind of speed that can torch defenses.

Moreover, Hill and Waddle can turn a slant into a touchdown or stretch the field to open up space underneath.

They create chaos.

In the backfield, DeVon Achane remains a threat with his ability to speed through cracks in the field.

With Jaylen Wright adding additional speed and breakaway ability, this unit can outrun most.

That is the identity the Dolphins want—and need— to lean into.

In addition, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be the key in making this speed useful.

If Tagovailoa can be healthy, the offense will hum.

If not, the Dolphins could find themselves in a similar position to last season. Speed with no one  to give it a chance.

Trading Jonnu Smith away does hurt the skill position room, but the Dolphins will need to hope that Darren Waller can offer some high-end play.

As Ballentine wrote, the Dolphins’ skill positions have remained a threat.

“Miami’s issues on offense during the Mike McDaniel era have not really come from the skill players. It’s either been a faulty offensive line or Tua Tagovailoa’s health.”

With questions continuing to surround Miami, the Dolphins will need their offensive speed to remain consistent and fuel their 2025 season hopes.

Secondary Could Hold Miami Back

The Dolphins’ secondary continues to cast a shadow defensively.

Ballentine highlighted the secondary as the biggest weakness for Miami heading into the season.

And for good reason.

Losing Jalen Ramsey was a significant blow to the cornerback room, regardless of what they got in return.

Ramsey has maintained a high level of play at the cornerback position and losing someone with shutdown potential will sting.

Additionally, with Jevon Holland departing in free agency, the Dolphins lost two significant contributors to its defense.

Then, disaster struck once again.

Cornerbacks Artie Burns and Kader Kohou are out for the season as both sustained ACL injuries.

Now, the pressure falls on a new group.

Storm Duck, Mike Hilton and Jack Jones will need to step up or else the Dolphins could find themselves in trouble.

They don’t need to be stars. But they do need to hold up, allowing the front of the defense to get after opposing offenses.

If this group can’t stand up to the heat, the Dolphins’ defense could be outscored, and it won’t matter how good Miami’s skill positions are.

However, a silver lining does exist.

The return of Mikah Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick is a proven playmaker who brings stability and leadership to a vulnerable Dolphins secondary.

Still, that side of the ball must prove themselves.

“Communication and chemistry are crucial in the secondary, and the Dolphins have a lot of new pieces to get acquainted before the season starts,” said Ballentine in his recent feature.

The Miami Dolphins need a big season in order to claw their way back to NFL relevance.

If things go well on offense, the Dolphins have a shot.

But if the defensive concerns are apparent, it could be the anchor that holds them down.

This team could swim—or sink— depending on which side of the ball steps up.