The Miami Dolphins offense has been far from prolific so far in 2025 and now it’ll have to try to right the ship without the help of eight-time Pro Bowl receiver Tyreek Hill.
Through the first four weeks, the Dolphins rank No. 26 in total yards and No. 21 in points scored. Hill led the team in both receptions (21) and receiving yards (265) in the month of September.
But it isn’t just Hill’s production that has to be replaced. The absence of a player that explosive could mean opposing defenses are much less worried about giving up big plays, and more inclined to prioritize stopping the De’Von Achane-led run game.
“Yeah, it’ll change, but at the same time, I think teams want to prevent explosives and will do that … if we don’t earn stuff on the ground or on the line of scrimmage,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “No one is going to make themselves vulnerable in the pass for no run threat, so I think that has a bigger effect on how defenses play us. If we’re not getting big gains or running the ball well versus two-shell defenses, they’ll continue to play two-shell.”
Last season, the Dolphins faced Cover 2 more than any offense in the NFL. That didn’t stop Miami from finishing the year No. 28 in rushing yards per attempt.
The ground game has improved for the Dolphins so far in 2025 with 4.7 yards per carry so far, eighth most in the NFL. If the eventual return of James Daniels and Austin Jackson from injured reserve provides a boost up front, that ground game could go a long way toward covering up the absence of Hill.