How does Dolphins’ supporting cast fit QB Tua Tagovailoa’s strengths?

How does Dolphins’ supporting cast fit QB Tua Tagovailoa’s strengths?

The Miami Dolphins are, at this point, considered mad scientists — their 2020 offense based in something of football alchemy that sprinkles in components of highly successful college offenses and will look to implement that same recipe to success in the pros. The biggest piece of the puzzle is the team’s new rookie quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. All good offenses feature a strong triggerman and Tagovailoa is expected to serve in that role well when his number is called to be the man for Miami.

But what about his supporting cast? We know the vision in Miami is to produce an offense that operates much like the one that Tagovailoa had so much success operating at Alabama — but do the ingredients currently in-house suggest that is a viable possibility?

It depends on where you look. Some of Miami’s pieces, such as the offensive line and running game with Jordan Howard, look the part of an “Alabama” group. But we will need time to see if the chemistry is there for the unit to perform at a high level. The linemen brought in this offseason by the Dolphins certainly fit the bill and have a universal vision of powerful play at the point of attack.

Other pieces, such as wide receiver DeVante Parker and tight end Mike Gesicki, unquestionably fit the bill. Tagovailoa enjoyed the services of TE Irv Smith Jr. (now with the Vikings) during the 2018 season — he knows how to find middle of the field receivers, especially those who are athletic mismatches for linebackers and safeties. As for Parker, the wide receiver enjoyed a breakout season in 2019 with a fearless passer allowing him the chance to go up and win the ball in the air. His eye-popping numbers on deep targets were in the top-5 across the league in every major receiving category.

Tagovailoa? He was the NCAA’s third best passer on deep targets last season according to Pro Football Focus:

Beyond the theoretical matches with the offensive line & running game and the clear fits with Gesicki and Parker, the Dolphins’ remaining supporting cast is “to be determined”. Tagovailoa’s passing style thrived on run after the catch — his accuracy often put catch and run opportunities on a tee for his receivers in college. But those receivers also boasted a ton of speed — Henry Ruggs blazed a 4.27 40-yard dash and Alabama teammate and returning receiver Jaylen Waddle is reportedly even faster. Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith were the “slow” receivers — Jeudy ran 4.45 in the 40 and Smith is projected to run 4.49.

The Dolphins do have that kind of speed in their receiving room but it comes in the form of Albert Wilson (contract year) and Jakeem Grant — two diminutive receivers who have struggled with durability. That availability is a hurdle the team will have to assess in significance throughout the course of the 2020 season. Is Grant is able to stay healthy and Wilson finds the explosiveness he was missing last season due to recovering from a hip injury, it may be a non-issue.

But it is something to watch this season.