With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a look at 10 storylines to watch for in a 10-part series ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of training camp, which is set for July 22.
The Miami Dolphins’ 2025 offseason started with a telling quote from general manager Chris Grier.
“We’re going to have to invest in the offensive line now,” Grier said as the Dolphins wrapped up a 2024 season that fell short of expectations with the team missing the playoffs.
It served as a predictor of what was to come and a bit of an admission that the previous level of investment in the offensive line did not suffice.
Miami was in a position where it needed to bolster the line in order to add physicality to its offense and improve pass protection to grant quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a chance when his first read isn’t open.
The investment came in the form of Miami’s highest-priced free agent contract going to veteran guard James Daniels (three years, $24 million) and the team not only using a second-round pick on another guard, rookie Jonah Savaiinaea, but trading up to make that selection.
A guard combination of Daniels and Savaiinaea figures to be an improvement over last year’s duo of Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg. Jones fled to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, and Eichenberg was brought back in what will likely be a versatile reserve role.
A changing of the guards should fortify the interior, minimizing how much pressure comes up the middle against Tagovailoa, with center Aaron Brewer a strong returning starter after he played every offensive snap for the Dolphins last season.
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Daniels and Savaiinaea are physical and have the required athleticism to operate in the wide-zone run-blocking scheme of coach Mike McDaniel. It would behoove Miami to incorporate more north and south running in the offense, especially in short-yardage situations, where the team struggled in 2024.
The two new guards have questions surrounding them, though. Savaiinaea is still just a rookie, carrying a large burden this early in his career. Meanwhile, Daniels is returning from a torn Achilles that cut his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers short four weeks in. Daniels returned to the point of light participation in practice by minicamp last month, and his ramp-up to the upcoming season will be a focal point for the team.
On the outside, the retirement of left tackle Terron Armstead is a huge personnel blow, but it was known the five-time Pro Bowl selection would have to call it a career at some point. The preparation for that moment came when Miami drafted Patrick Paul in the second round of the 2024 draft, and now, Paul is ready to take over starting duties. He’ll be opposite right tackle Austin Jackson, who comes back from a knee injury that cost him the second half of last season to protect the left-handed Tagovailoa’s blind side.
Jackson should provide some consistency when healthy. Paul is a huge wild card, as he unquestionably possesses the natural size and athleticism to be an elite blocker in the NFL, but he came out of Houston in last year’s draft a bit raw. His work to polish his technique over the past year and change will come to the forefront this season.
This new-look line will have something to prove, as it’s still not getting positive marks in league circles. Pro Football Network ranks it the 27th-best unit entering the new season.
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The assessment notes how Miami had a decent pressure rate allowed last season at 27.9 percent, which ranked fourth, but that was mostly a byproduct of Tagovailoa getting the ball out faster than any other quarterback.
Behind the starting group are Eichenberg, who has started at all five positions for the Dolphins in his first four seasons, and free agent addition Larry Borom, who mostly played tackle for the Chicago Bears but could play guard. Tackles Kion Smith and Jackson Carman are other candidates for roster spots, along with second-year center Andrew Meyer, who made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2024.
The physicality Miami is trying to add to its offense is also highlighted by running back additions of free agent veteran Alexander Mattison and rookie sixth-round pick Ollie Gordon. The two big backs could complement speedster De’Von Achane and returning second-year running back Jaylen Wright, while providing short-yardage options.
In a rarity for the Dolphins over the previous decade, they have their offensive line coach, Butch Barry, returning to guide the unit for a third consecutive season. So continuity is present.
Previously addressed
What should we expect from Dolphins’ first-round pick Kenneth Grant in 2025?
With questionable Dolphins secondary, can better pass rush make up for the back end?
Can Dolphins’ Tua stay out of harm’s way and remain healthy all season?
Chris Grier, Mike McDaniel or both? Who’s on Dolphins’ hot seat entering 2025 season?
