The Miami Dolphins Are Daring Teams To Defend Them Like They Did In 2024

The Miami Dolphins Are Daring Teams To Defend Them Like They Did In 2024

The Miami Dolphins aren’t just tweaking their offense ahead of the 2025 season — they seem to be changing their philosophy altogether.

After defenses found moderate success in 2024 by dropping safeties deep and daring Miami to run the ball, head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier appear determined not only to fix our weaknesses from last year, but to turn them into some of our strengths.

Miami’s offseason strategy has focused on transforming its offense into a more balanced, physical force — particularly in the trenches and the backfield.

This shift began with the signing of veteran guard James Daniels, a proven interior lineman known for his strength and toughness. If Daniels returns to form following last season’s Achilles injury, he could anchor a retooled offensive line built to both protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and open lanes in the ground game.

Complementing Daniels is Jonah Savaiinaea, the Dolphins’ second-round draft pick out of Arizona. Savaiinaea brings power, size, and a mean streak to the offensive line — exactly the kind of presence Miami has often lacked in recent years. Together, Daniels and Savaiinaea are key to shifting the tone of the offense: from finesse to force.

But bolstering the line is only half the plan. The Dolphins also reloaded their running back room with the kind of talent and physicality that forces defenses to respect the run.

Alexander Mattison, signed in free agency, arrived with the reputation of being a short-yardage grinder. Yet early reports from training camp suggest he’s out to prove he’s more than that, breaking off several chunk runs and showing improved burst.

Joining Mattison is Ollie Gordon II, the bruising rookie out of Oklahoma State who led college football in rushing in 2023. Gordon brings tackle-breaking ability and punishing contact balance — traits Miami’s offense lacked in 2024.

Add in Jaylen Wright, the speedster-turned-weight-room-warrior who added noticeable muscle this offseason, and the Dolphins now have three physical backs to complement De’Von Achane’s speed and playmaking ability — both with his vision and his hands.

This isn’t just about running the ball for the sake of balance. It’s strategic. By forcing defenses to commit an extra defender to the box, Miami hopes to open up the very thing that makes their offense electric: the vertical game.

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were often bracketed with deep safety help last year, limiting explosive plays. If the run game demands more attention, safeties won’t be able to sit back — and that’s when Miami strikes deep.

If this new approach works, it could fix one of the team’s most glaring issues from 2024 and take pressure off Tagovailoa to carry the offense every snap. More importantly, it could return the Dolphins to their rightful place as one of the most dangerous offensive units in the NFL — only this time, with a physical edge.