Miami Dolphins 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Miami Dolphins.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

2022 was a rollercoaster season for Dolphins fans.  These were the streaks that Miami went on through the year: W3, L3, W5, L5.  After nearly playing their way out of the playoffs, they managed to beat the Jets 11-6 in Week 18 to secure the final wild card spot in the AFC.  They went on to give the Bills all they could handle in the first round of the playoffs, but fell short by a score of 31-34 to put an end to their season.
 
Surprisingly, Miami had the 4th best passing offense despite QB Tua Tagovailoa receiving a lot of hate on the Internet.  They were also extremely good against the run.  However, they were among the worst in the league in yards rushing per game as well as pass yards allowed per game.  They ultimately were slightly above average in points scored per game, but below average in points allowed per game.
 
Significant Roster Moves

There was a lot of turnover within the roster in the offseason, with some big names both departing and arriving to Miami.  Mike Gesicki, Melvin Ingram, Greg Little, Elandon Roberts, Eric Rowe, and Brandon Shell all played significant roles with the Dolphins last season but will be elsewhere in 2023.  Teddy Bridgewater, who played while Tua was injured last year, also joined a new team for the upcoming season.
 
The only additions on this list who will be immediate starters are Eli Apple and DeShon Elliott in the secondary, but almost all of these guys will play important roles on either side of the ball.  Jalen Ramsey would have been an obvious starter, but he suffered a knee injury a couple weeks ago in a joint practice that required surgery.  His timetable for return is unclear, but Ramsey has stated that he will be back in 2023.  He’ll be a massive piece for the secondary when he does get back in the action.
 
2023 Draft Class

The Dolphins only had four picks in this year’s draft, falling in the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th rounds.  The first two of those selections, Cam Smith and De’Von Achane, will garner significant playing time over the course of the season.  Both have high upside and could be solid long-term players in Miami.
 
Season Schedule

The Dolphins will take on the AFC West and the NFC East in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .554, Miami has the 2nd hardest schedule in the NFL.

Miami’s primetime games include two Sunday night games at New England and Philadelphia and a Monday night game versus Tennessee.  They also face Kansas City in Frankfurt, Germany in Week 9 and play on Black Friday night in Week 12 at the New York Jets.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Dolphins return 18 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year, which is more than most teams around the league.  All but one starter returns from the offense, which is set up to be among the league’s best if everyone can stay healthy.  Miami will look to mostly improve their secondary from last year.  That would have been easier to expect with a healthy Jalen Ramsey, but the other pieces they added should allow for at least some improvement even without Ramsey.
 
Coaching Staff

Head Coach Mike McDaniel returns for his 2nd season in Miami, along with two coordinators from last season: Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith (2nd season) and Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman (5th season). Mike McDaniel brought in Vic Fangio to fill the Defensive Coordinator vacancy, who quietly served as a consultant with Philadelphia last season following a head coaching stint in Denver.
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Miami at 9.5 games.  As of right now, the Dolphins are the 3rd most likely team to win the AFC East and tied for the 4th most likely team to win the AFC.  At +2500 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are tied for 10th among all teams in the league.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Dolphins to finish 10-7 in 2023 for 3rd place in the AFC East.  They will unfortunately lose a three-way tiebreaker with the Chargers and Ravens to finish 8th in the AFC and narrowly miss out on a playoff spot.

What do you think?  Will Miami be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Dolphins surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson