One thing that has become very clear about the Miami Dolphins low season is that the team will have to identify some new wide receivers to combine with the current group. Injuries and disappointing play have cost Miami dynamic potential in the passing game, especially with rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at the helm. And while the Dolphins have the luxury of having Ryan Fitzpatrick in their back pocket to serve as an “spark” from time to time, it’s not a sustainable model.
Why does Fitzpatrick work in certain places where Tagovailoa does not work as it currently does? Fitzpatrick is more willing to fly near the sun, for better or worse, as a pedestrian. Narrow windows do not put it in phase. He has mastered the mental side of the game, although he is sometimes not disciplined in his execution. And while Miami’s floor is higher with Tagovailoa at the helm with his attention to ball safety, Miami certainly sees his brightest lightning strikes with a quarterback more willing to try coverage.
And this is where the Dolphins can help Tagovailoa to the fullest this offseason – not just targeting better pass catchers, but targeting another type of pass catchers. Dolphins need to take note of how Tagovailoa’s preference is to see their receiver leveraged before throwing football and plan accordingly which receivers they bring to the list.
More players like DeVante Parker and Preston Williams, who most often win their reps at the end of the route? This is redundant and not for Tagovailoa’s strengths. Dolphins must find a wide receiver who wins their routes at the start and on the fight line. Both explosive athletes and route technicians may be eligible for consideration, but this change should be on the Dolphins shopping list menu.
When it was reported that the Miami Dolphins were transitioning to Tagovailoa’s mid-season in order to find out what they have in their rookie quarterback, those who followed the team scoffed at the idea. But, in all honesty, it was true, only in another kind of context. Miami has spent the later half of this season evaluating Tagovailoa not to determine if he needs to be replaced, but how he plays and what the Dolphins need to do to install the best and most effective support cast possible around him.
They have their answer. Now is almost the time to start acting on this new information.