Why one prominent analyst says Dolphins can challenge Chiefs for next five years

A six-pack of Miami Dolphins notes on a Monday:

▪ ESPN analyst and former Washington and Philadelphia personnel executive Louis Riddick doesn’t merely believe the Dolphins will win the AFC East.

He also says the Dolphins are one of the two teams best positioned to challenge Kansas City’s AFC supremacy in the next five years.

“A team other than the Bengals that can really challenge Kansas City [over the next five years] has to be Miami because they have got firepower on offense,” Riddick said. “They have got a fantastic defense that is going to take a step up.

“I understand every time I bring up Miami’s name, people say ‘Well, Tua [Tagovailoa] can’t stay healthy.’ I get that. I get what his track record is. I would assume this year offensively, they are going to [change a bit] philosophically to the point where the run game -- as you saw it last year when it was really dialed up -- it was something that could take pressure off Tua. It could slow down opposing pass rushers and help their offensive line.

“If Mike McDaniel emphasizes that, they have got weapons coming out the ears. Defensively, they have a young nucleus of guys who are QB hunters as well as any team in the AFC, or NFC for that matter, who can get after Patrick Mahomes. This team is uniquely positioned to make a run and can start doing it this year. The quarterback position obviously has to be on the field.”

▪ The Dolphins genuinely believe that jiu jitsu lessons can help Tagovailoa avoid concussions; there’s obviously no way to know until the season plays out.

But ESPN’s Keyshawn Johnson is skeptical.

“We’re talking about falling to the ground,” Johnson said. “If my eyes are correct from what I saw in the past, it has nothing to do with his body parts falling to the ground as much as his head slamming to the ground. When you have a Von Miller coming from the backside, unless you are doing some matrix, martial arts stuff and have eyes in the back of your head and can all of a sudden back flip and land on your feet and deliver the football, I don’t know how this is going to prevent concussions. I just don’t.

“I played football for a very long time. This is different from [being a receiver and] knowing that Rodney Harrison... is coming downhill from the safety spot; I turned my back to them so I don’t get hit, because I can see them. You don’t see Nick Bosa [as a quarterback].You don’t see some of these vicious defensive linemen or blitzing corners.

“I’m glad they’re doing everything to protect him. But don’t sell me on the fact it’s going to stop the concussions. When someone is coming Scot-free and nobody is blocking him, I don’t give a damn how you fall. It’s not going to help you when you head hits the ground.”

▪ Former Miami Hurricanes defensive back Chad Wilson has worked with Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard and safety Jevon Holland this offseason and offered insight on both.

On Howard, he said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense will maximize Howard’s elite “instincts and ball skills. And he’ll be able to see the quarterback more than having his back to the quarterback. This system will suit his natural talents.”

Wilson has worked with Howard on “being more limber to get through the season healthy.”

Former coordinator Josh Boyer should have played more zone last season when Howard was dealing with injuries to two groin muscles. That was the feeling among some players.

Wilson said Holland “should thrive with Fangio” and that when you combine a player with that type of skill and work ethic, “rarely does it not result in an All Pro player. He could move into Minkah Fitzpatrick territory this season. Jevon is moving in that direction. He has no glaring weakness. We’re building on everything he already has.”

Wilson trains NFL defensive backs and players at other positions during his alleyesdbcamp.com. He can be reached on Instagram (@alleyesdbcamp).

▪ Pro Football Focus named each team’s top three players (in its view).

For Miami, PFF’s choices were Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey and Jaelen Phillips, who got the nod over Terron Armstead, Jaylen Waddle, Howard and Bradley Chubb.

“Hill and Ramsey are the easy choices,” PFF said. “There is an argument to be made that both players are the most game-changing at their respective positions. Miami has a talented group, so the last spot was tough. Second-year edge defender Jaelan Phillips went from a 61.3 pass-rush grade with an 11.7% pass-rush win percentage in 2021 to a 90.1 pass-rush grade with a 21.1% pass-rush win percentage in 2022.”

PFF said Armstead and Waddle also were considered.

▪ PFF rates the Dolphins’ roster as the 10th best in the NFL and suggests taking the over on Miami’s 9.5 over/under win total: “With a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, this Dolphins team has the roster to make a deep playoff run. However, their quarterback’s health remains the biggest question mark and could also be what keeps them out of the playoffs altogether.”

PFF calls wide receiver the Dolphins’ biggest strength and offensive line their biggest weakness.

▪ Some of the Dolphins’ pickups have played in systems similar to the ones run by coach Mike McDaniel (on offense) and Vic Fangio (on defense).

New offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi says playing in a zone-blocking scheme with the Jets should help him in his bid to win a roster spot.

“It’s literally the same kind of scheme, obviously different nuances, but it’s prepared me a lot,” Ogbuehi said. It’s all about playing fast, running, playing in space. Got to be in good shape, for one, but it’s good for my skill set.”

Tight end Tyler Kroft said one appeal of signing with Miami was “familiarity with the system, too, being with the Jets two years ago, and the 49ers last year. It seemed like it would be a nice smooth transition into the offense.”