Finding the Balance Between Star Power and Smart Play
The 2025 Miami Dolphins come into the season with a roster that has both potential and uncertainty. They’ve made moves to improve, particularly along the offensive line, but questions remain about how it will all come together on the field. This team has a few elite players, a system that can work when executed properly, and a coaching staff that’s shown flashes of creativity.
However, it remains unclear whether this will translate into sustained success against top-tier competition.
Miami’s offense continues to revolve around the electric duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. They remain the most dangerous pieces on the field for the Dolphins, and the team’s ability to create explosive plays largely depends on their production.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa enters another crucial year, with plenty of pressure to show he can elevate the offense consistently and keep it afloat when defenses adjust or key players are slowed down.
Up front, the Dolphins made a concerted effort this offseason to address the offensive line, an area that has hindered their progress in recent years. The retirement of veteran left tackle Terron Armstead leaves a major hole in both leadership and protection, but the front office brought in reinforcements to stabilize the unit.
On paper, the line should be better than it was in 2024, but much of that depends on how quickly the new starters can gel and execute against top defensive fronts. Improvement is expected, but it still has to be proven.
At running back, the Dolphins have real reason for optimism. De’Von Achane headlines the rotation, coming off a really good season and entering this year poised to take on a larger role. His speed, vision, and playmaking ability fit perfectly within Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Jaylen Wright, now in his second year, is projected to be the primary backup, and his combination of power and burst gives the team a strong complement to Achane’s game-breaking speed. Together, this duo could provide the kind of balance the offense has often lacked, if the line can hold up and the offense stays on schedule.
This all brings us to a larger strategic question: Should the Dolphins focus their game plan around their star players, or should they lean into the idea of playing through the “right” players in each moment, even if those players aren’t the most well-known? The answer, especially for a team like Miami, is that success lies in doing both.
The Dolphins need Hill and Waddle to make big plays; that’s non-negotiable. They’re the players that defenses game-plan around. When those players are doubled, bracketed, or taken away by elite corners, the offense must be able to adapt. That means trusting the system and putting faith in players who may not be stars but can win in specific matchups or situations.
It’s about understanding roles and executing cleanly across all positions, from the tight ends to the third wide receiver to the offensive line’s communication on blitz pickups.
Miami’s recent shortcomings haven’t been about a lack of highlight plays. It’s been about breakdowns in protection, stalled drives, and poor execution when the game tightens. If the Dolphins are going to break through in 2025, they’ll need to operate as a full, cohesive unit, not just a collection of standout individuals.
That means getting consistent play from their supporting cast, executing in the red zone, and trusting in players beyond the top names.
There’s no denying the value of stars like Hill, Waddle, and Achane, but leaning entirely on them is a dangerous game, especially in the postseason when defenses are faster, smarter, and more prepared. The Dolphins’ best path forward is to continue building an offense that can win through both raw talent and situational intelligence.
The pieces are there. The coaching staff has shown creativity. The roster isn’t overloaded with elite players, but it has a core that can compete. Now, it’s about whether this team can find the right balance, get consistent contributions across the board, and finally live up to its potential, not just in flashes, but over the course of a full season.
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