Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Breaking down the Miami Dolphins new offensive scheme

By Mathis Gaglione

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Head coach, Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Head coach, Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Miami Dolphins huddle during the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

What will the Dolphins look like running the WCO-

This is a perfect offense for Tua Tagovailoa. It truly does maximize everything he does well, while limiting the things he does bad. Tua will be asked to make quick reads, and throw the ball primarily to the middle of the field. Slants, crossing routes, screen passes, and dig routes are gonna be the bread and butter of this offense’s passing plays, and Tagovailoa excels at those routes. It won’t ask him to throw outside the numbers a ton, and throw it down the field consistently.

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will feast in this offense. I’d be surprised if both players aren’t top 10 in YAC by the end of the season. With the pre-snap motion and the unique ways Mike McDaniel will get them the ball, there’s gonna be countless opportunities for both players in the open field. One thing I’m curious to see is how Mike Gesicki fits into this offense. Gesicki is not gonna be an effective blocker, and most WCO’s require their TE’s to have a role in the running game. It’ll be interesting to see McDaniel’s plan and if he tries to develop Gesicki as a blocker, or if he uses him in an untraditional way in terms of a non-blocking TE in a WCO.

When it comes to the running game and the offensive line, the Dolphins did a fantastic job this off-season getting players that fit this scheme. Raheem Mostert already has a ton of experience running this system with the 49ers, but even Chase Edmonds and Myles Gaskin are good natural pass catchers. Miami will use a running back by committee, and they have three backs who can excel in this type of running attack.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 24: Terron Armstead speaks with the media after being introduced by the Miami Dolphins at Baptist Health Training Complex on March 24, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 24: Terron Armstead speaks with the media after being introduced by the Miami Dolphins at Baptist Health Training Complex on March 24, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Before the additions of Terron Armstead and Conor Williams, the Dolphins already had a few linemen with good athleticism. I mentioned earlier the importance of being able to move effectively as an offensive linemen in this system, and the Dolphins drafted some players that fit that mold over the last couple of years. Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson are very special with the way they can move. They both have an opportunity to be really good players in this system just based off their raw tools. I’m very excited to see how this offensive line progresses next year in a new system with better coaching. I truly think it’s going to be night and day compared to 2021.

In conclusion, Mike McDaniel has all the pieces to build an elite offense in Miami. If any system is gonna help Tua Tagovailoa grow into the player we saw at Alabama, the West Coast Offense is that system. I’ll be looking forward to watching these new and different elements of the Dolphins offense next season. Hopefully McDaniel can lead the Fins to a top 10 offense, powered by the West Coast Offense.

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