What midseason grade should the Dolphins get? Assessing Miami’s 6-3 start

Mike McDaniel’s offense had just reached another feat in a season that has been full of them through just nine games. With a 524-yard performance in a Week 5 win against the Giants, the Dolphins gained the most yards through five games in NFL history.

Asked about the accolade, the second-year coach gave an expected answer — with his noteworthy humor.

“Mission accomplished,” McDaniel deadpanned. “We had the whole time, the whole off-season, that was our goal was output after five games.”

Through the first half of the season, McDaniel has been clear in his desire for his team to be peaking when it matters most. How the team looks now is important, but not as important as being at its best when the season is on the line.

At 6-3, the Dolphins are in first place in the AFC East and in a good position to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season. With Miami’s bye week conveniently placed right at the halfway point of the season, it’s a good time to assess the team’s progress through nine games.

Here are the Miami Herald’s midseason grades for each position group.

QUARTERBACK | A-

Before the season, McDaniel said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had become “fluent” in the language of the offensive scheme. This season marks the first time since high school Tagovailoa has been in the same offensive scheme in back-to-back years. And that comfort has shown in his strong start to the season. Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passing yards (2,609), passing touchdowns (18) and passer rating (106.4). He hasn’t been as sharp in the team’s losses to tougher competition but those struggles aren’t limited to him. Tagovailoa remains rightfully in the mix as a Most Valuable Player candidate.

RUNNING BACKS | A-

One of McDaniel’s points of emphasis in Year 2 as a play-caller was to run the ball more, and his backs have made the most of those extra carries. The Dolphins rank third in attempts (227) and second in yards per game (147.9). Raheem Mostert, the oldest starting running back in the NFL, is having his best season at 31. He ranks fourth in rushing yards (605) and leads the league with 11 rushing touchdowns. The imminent return of rookie De’Von Achane, who led the league in rushing average before a knee injury sidelined him for the last four games, will only further boost this group.

WIDE RECEIVERS | A-

Tyreek Hill remains on pace for the NFL’s first 2,000-yard season and is the front-runner for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Jaylen Waddle hasn’t been as dangerous of a deep threat this season after leading the league in yards per catch in 2022, but he’s also dealt with multiple injuries. Miami has struggled to find a consistent No. 3 receiver since River Cracraft went down with a shoulder injury but he’s on track to return after the bye.

Tight ends | B-

Tight ends aren’t much of a factor in the Dolphins’ passing game. Miami’s 25 attempts to the position are a league-low. So, much of their core responsibilities are as blockers. Durham Smythe has been steady in the role, and the Dolphins have found a potential gem in undrafted rookie Julian Hill.

OFFENSIVE LINE | B+

The Dolphins’ offensive line has given up a league-low 74 pressures and Tagovailoa’s quick release has a lot to do with that. However, Miami’s offensive line has made significant strides under first-year position coach Butch Barry’s tutelage. The Dolphins rank sixth and 17 in ESPN’s run block win rate and pass block win rate, respectively, defined as how often a unit sustains its blocks for at least 2.5 seconds. These improvements are in spite of a series of injuries that have forced the team to use five different starting combinations.

DEFENSIVE LINE | B+

With a new scheme and responsibilities, the first month of the season was a struggle at times for the Dolphins’ defensive linemen. Over the last month, though, they have settled into coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense. Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler have been stout against the run as usual and are now excelling as pass rushers. Sieler’s four sacks are already a career-high, while Wilkins has tied his career-high with 4.5 sacks.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS | B

Arguably no Dolphins defender has played as well as David Long Jr. in recent weeks. There were inconsistencies early on with his new team, but he’s showing the all-around game that led so many to label Miami’s signing of him as one of the best deals of free agency. Long leads the Dolphins in tackles (63) and has been a strong running mate with Jerome Baker, who ranks third in tackles (52).

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS | B+

The Dolphins were hoping to have one of the best bookend pass rushers in Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. An early-season injury to Phillips, though, got him off to a slow start. He’s picked things up with 3.5 sacks in six games. Andrew Van Ginkel stepped up while Phillips was out and his four sacks are tied for third on the team. Chubb has been the standout, playing his best ball since last season’s trade. His six sacks lead Miami and he’s recorded a sack in four consecutive games.

CORNERBACKS | B

The Dolphins dealt with multiple injuries at this position, most notably with Jalen Ramsey, who didn’t make his debut until Week 8. Eli Apple and Kader Kohou have struggled when pressed into larger roles. However, Ramsey and Xavien Howard played together for the first time in Week 9 against the Chiefs and showed how two elite corners can change life for a defense. The arrow is pointing up for Miami’s defense, and largely in part because of the presence of those two players.

SAFETIES | B

Jevon Holland is one of the most important players on the defense, a do-it-all player whom Fangio likes to place all over the field. Hollands ranks second on the team in tackles (60). The emergence of DeShon Elliott, who signed with the Dolphins in the offseason, has allowed Holland to roam the field instead of playing his natural free safety position. Their chemistry has helped avoid major coverage breakdowns in the first half of the season.

SPECIALISTS | B-

The Dolphins’ offense is so dynamic that the team hasn’t needed to rely on its kicking battery much. Miami’s nine field goal attempts are last in the NFL and Jason Sanders has made seven, with misses from 49 and 55 against the Patriots in Week 2. Jake Bailey has been a downgrade from Thomas Morstead, ranking in the bottom half of qualifying players in yards per punt and percentage of kicks downed inside the 20-yard line. Miami hasn’t got a lot out of its return game but Braxton Berrios has been close to breaking a few.

COACHING | B+

McDaniel has introduced tangible wrinkles in his second year as play-caller to push the Dolphins’ offense to greater heights, and his adjustments have been noticeable, both in-game and from week to week. Fangio has also gotten a better feel for his players as they’ve gotten more comfortable in his scheme. The key for McDaniel and his staff in the second half of the season will be finding solutions for the offense’s road struggles.