The Miami Dolphins experienced a disappointing 2024 season, missing the playoffs for the first time under coach Mike McDaniel. Despite the overall struggles, several players showcased impressive performances.
The defensive line stood out, particularly Zach Sieler who excelled even without Christian Wilkins, and veteran Calais Campbell who continued to defy age. On offense, De’Von Achane made significant contributions as both a runner and receiver.
Kicker Jason Sanders capped off the year with consecutive AFC Special Teams Player of the Month awards, providing a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season.
Dolphins 2024 Top 10 Performers
The Miami Dolphins were excluded from the AP All-Pro teams, the AFC Pro Bowl roster, and most recently, the Professional Football Writers of America’s All-AFC team. That is what can happen to a team that, following a dismal 2–6 start, was largely forgotten and missed the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
However, it’s not like the Dolphins did nothing; they went 6-3 in their final nine games and were still in the running for the playoffs until the last Sunday of the regular season. As we present our list of the top 10 Dolphins players for the 2024 season, it’s time to honor the players who have contributed the most to reaching eight wins.
1. DT ZACH SIELER
Given that Sieler was chosen as the team MVP by South Florida and received my vote there, it is obvious that he must be our first pick. From this perspective, Sieler was the team’s most reliable player throughout the season.
It might not be a coincidence that Sieler missed the two games against the Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills due to his strange eye injury, which also happened to be the two games where the defense let the offense down in the closing minutes.
2. DT CALAIS CAMPBELL
Indeed, we will select defensive linemen as our top two athletes. Although Campbell didn’t have Sieler’s sack totals, he was a formidable opponent to the run and nearly as effective at applying pressure during the pass rush.
3. K JASON SANDERS
Sanders was absolutely outstanding this season, especially in the second half, but we don’t typically rank kickers that high on this kind of list. Additionally, he delivered clutch and long-range performances, and only Chris Boswell of Pittsburgh’s even more outstanding season prevented him from being named to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team.
4. RB DE’VON ACHANE
Even though he was unable to match his ridiculous per-carry average from his rookie season, Achane emerged as the offense’s main focus in 2024 and produced relatively consistently in the passing game with occasional runs.
5. LB JORDYN BROOKS
Brooks, who arrived as a free agent signing and was a smash in his first season, gave the Dolphins their best linebacker play in a number of years. Another player who excelled in the second half of the season was this one.
6. TE JONNU SMITH
Following a slow start, Smith became a force for the passing game, giving the Dolphins their first significant output from the tight end position. He ultimately gave the Dolphins exactly what they had all hoped for.
7. CB JALEN RAMSEY
Ramsey has set very high standards for coverage, and this season may not have lived up to them, but his overall contributions to the defense must be considered. Ramsey’s blitzing and run support were significant.
8. QB TUA TAGOVAILOA
Although the offense turned into a dink-and-dunk attack with very few downfield shots, Tagovailoa led the NFL in completion percentage and produced a passer rating above 100 for the third straight season. Prior to a late-season slump and the hip injury, it was effective for the majority of the second half of the season due to Tagovailoa’s effectiveness, especially on third down. Tua couldn’t have risen much higher on the list after missing six games.
9. T TERRON ARMSTEAD
Armstead battled injuries once more during the season, but he ended up recording his highest game total in his three Miami seasons. And when he was in the lineup, he was typically pretty good, as usual.
10. CB KADER KOHOU
Although choosing Kohou for the final spot was difficult, he would also likely win the award for most improved player. Kohou was excellent this season, both in the slot and outside when Kendall Fuller was sidelined by injuries after a very poor 2023 campaign. According to Pro Football Reference, he had an outstanding passer rating of 79.3 when targeted, up from an ugly 131.0 the previous season. Not to mention that Kohou, assisted by Campbell, made an interception to help seal the Week 16 victory over the 49ers.
Comparing the Miami Dolphins to the NFL’s final four: How far away is it overall, on defense, and on offense?
Shortly after the Miami Dolphins’ season had ended, in a press room at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, coach Mike McDaniel were asked an important question.
How far away do you feel your program is from some of the other great AFC teams like the Chiefs, Bills and Ravens? Because at that moment, it felt like forever away.
The friendly, courteous, and helpful McDaniel basically punted on the question.
“I think it doesn’t really matter how I feel because my job isn’t to have feelings,” McDaniel said. “I think the biggest thing is that there’s a lot of things that we’ll be able to reflect upon in the coming days, and today was about the team and the game.”
In 1992, Miami made its only AFC title game appearance since 1985, and the Dolphins lost to the Bills. The Bills, are the best in their division and have won the AFC East five times in a row.
Buffalo consistently produces results, something Miami is frantically trying to achieve. A few days later, McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier met with reporters in Miami Gardens to conduct an autopsy of a season that ended without a postseason run. They spoke about discipline and toughness, the need for a good backup quarterback, how to handle the offensive line, defeat good teams, and winning on the road in the bitter cold.
Dolphins offense vs. Super Bowl contenders
The Bills, Commanders, Eagles, and Chiefs were sixth, tenth, eleventh, and twenty-third in the NFL in terms of offensive yards per play. The Dolphins came in at number 22.
The Bills, Eagles, Commanders, and Chiefs were ranked sixth, ninth, twelveth, and twenty-second in terms of passing yards per play, respectively. The Dolphins were in 21st place.
Commanders, Eagles, Bills, and Chiefs were fourth, fifth, eleventh, and 29th in terms of rushing yards per play, respectively. The Dolphins came in at number 28.
Lessons learned: Miami’s offensive statistics are skewed this season due to Tua Tagovailoa missing six starts; however, the Dolphins had a poor offensive season; the run game needs to be improved; it was excellent in 2023 but not in 2024.
Miami needs to strengthen its offensive line and add physicality to the offense, particularly for short-yardage and bad weather situations; Miami’s defense made progress; McDaniel needs to figure out how to get back to his best offensive form; if Tyreek Hill is traded, that task becomes even more difficult.
Miami has no chance if Tua is not healthy for, say, 14 or more regular-season starts in 2025.
Dolphins defense vs. Super Bowl contenders
The Eagles, Chiefs, Commanders, and Bills were ranked first, twelve, sixteen, and twenty-one in terms of defensive yards per play. The Dolphins came in at number nine.
The Eagles, Commanders, Chiefs, and Bills were ranked first, 12th, 13th, and 19th in terms of passing yards allowed per play. Fifth place went to the Dolphins.
The Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, and Commanders were ranked seventh, ninth, 19th, and 28th in terms of the number of rushing yards allowed per play, respectively. The Dolphins were in 12th place.
Takeaways: Under new head coach Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins had a stellar defensive campaign. Miami’s defense performed well in the absence of Christian Wilkins (free agency), Bradley Chubb (injury), and Jaelan Phillips (injury again during the season).
In 2025, the Dolphins hope to increase sacks, forced fumbles, and interceptions. Despite having a poor defensive season, the Bills have had a surprisingly successful season. Jevon Holland, who has typically played at a good to very good level, is one of the starting safeties Miami will probably need to replace.
Miami might benefit from a defensive end or defensive tackle.