The Miami Dolphins have a new outlook after offensive guru Mike McDaniel was named head coach. Will he unlock the next level for Tua and the Miami offense?
The Miami Dolphins averaged 20.1 points per game offensively in 2021. That ranked them the 22nd best in the NFL. Although they finished with a 9-8 record, they finished as the ninth seed and missed the playoffs.
Now, former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is the Miami Dolphins’ 14th head coach in the history of the franchise. An offensive guru who had been with the 49ers since 2017.
With a stellar defense already, coach McDaniel has his work cut out for him to turn this offense into a mold of what Kyle and he had going in San Francisco.
The Offensive Guru
Mike McDaniel started off as an intern with the Denver Broncos in 2005. Since then, he has made his way from Washington, to Cleveland, Atlanta, San Francisco, and now Miami.
From his peers and players, he has coached, the offense has always been his thing. He was a part of Julio Jones’ career year in 2015 where he finished with 1,871 receiving yards.
After Atlanta, McDaniel went to San Francisco where he coached for Kyle Shanahan who he has had ties with for almost 20 years. McDaniel was the run game specialist in 2017 and then the run game coordinator from 2018-2020.
In that span, the 49ers ranked 10th, 4th, 7th, and 2nd in rushing. The Miami Dolphins ranked 30th in most rushing yards produced per game in 2021.
This should have McDaniel ready for the challenge to improve the run game and the Miami hopeful that things should turn around on the offensive side.
The Miami Dolphins stars: Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle
The whole football community saw what Jaylen Waddle is capable of. He might just be the best Alabama receiver since Julio Jones. Let’s see how that take looks in five years.
Tua is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL, finishing with the seventh-best completion percentage in 2021 and a 7-5 record as the starting quarterback.
New Dolphins’ HC Mike McDaniel talking to Miami QB @Tua for the first time.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 8, 2022
📹 @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/sBG0Zbjqoy
Jaylen Waddle finished with the rookie record for most receptions. He also finished as the WR13 in fantasy football. Drafting Waddle will prove to be one of the smartest moves the Dolphins make for the career of Tua.
Waddle is the WR12 in dynasty football and with an offensive juggernaut like McDaniel being the head coach now, Waddle managers should be ecstatic about what is to come in the 2022 season.
Miami Dolphins biggest needs
The three things the Miami Dolphins need to do are get an offensive line, get an offensive line and get an offensive line.
“I am going to prove to you how I am going to get you better.” – Coach McDaniel
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 9, 2022
Full interview with @WingfieldNFL drops this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/YUHmR8lWhW
In all seriousness, an offensive line is needed as the Dolphins had one of the three worst lines this season. Also, parting ways with tight end Mike Gesicki is inevitable as he is not the best of blockers.
Mike McDaniel utilizes the tight end heavily in his offense as we all saw what Kittle produced over there with the ball in his hands and creating room for his running backs.