There are no shortage of different ways that you can move the ball in the NFL. Some teams like to space the defense out. Other teams will look to go with heavier personnel, but more unique athletes. A good example of such a team is the Baltimore Ravens, who called upon a slew of tight ends in Hayden Hurst, Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle to provide challenging formations for opposing teams. Pairing three tight ends on the field with QB Lamar Jackson’s athletic ability and deep passing can be a difficult riddle for opposing coordinators to scheme up how to stop — as evidenced by the Ravens’ 33.2 points per game last season.
For the Dolphins, consider the former strategy the team’s recipe for success. Chan Gailey has implemented a horizontal spread offense in his last few stops, meaning he will have the Dolphins use as much real estate as possible across the width of the field to test opposing defenses.
But how will the Dolphins’ skill players fit that strategy to provide the best possible challenge to opposing defenses? Here is an early look at what Miami’s optimal offensive personnel may look like in 11-personnel (one tight end and one running back apiece on the field) — the grouping that figures to get the most of Miami’s best athletes on the field at the same time.
Quarterback (1)
Since we’re looking at the Dolphins’ offense through a utopian lens, Tua Tagovailoa would be the team’s ideal cornerstone at the quarterback position. The Dolphins’ clearly envision Tagovailoa being the future of the franchise and there’s no reason to act like that isn’t the case if we’re pretending that everything is a “best case scenario”. Ryan Fitzpatrick may be experienced in this offense, but Tagovailoa is the future and his RPO decision making at Alabama was a huge catalyst for his success.
Running back (1)
With the Dolphins looking to stress defenses and strain them with space, getting a player capable of hammering a light box is a must — which is why Jordan Howard is the ideal back for Miami’s 11 personnel. With three receivers and a tight end stretched across as much real estate as possible, opposing defenses must decide whether they want to skimp on getting adequate coverage and leverage on the boundary or if they want to maintain their extra-man advantage in the box. Any time the Dolphins find an equal number of blockers and defenders in the box, it is time to run the football.
Tight end (1)
Let’s not make this harder than it has to be, right? Mike Gesicki is the answer here. Gesicki can be flexed into the slot to the open side of the field and provide Miami with a seam-buster on play action passing and a big enough body to rub routes off in the shorter areas of the field. Part of Gesicki’s transition to Gailey’s offense will be trying to find ways for him to win in the quick game — but just ask the Patriots whether or not Gesicki can win quickly over the middle. His game-winning touchdown catch in Week 17 against Patrick Chung in coverage was a quick slant from inside the 5.
Wide receivers (3)
DeVante Parker is a lock for one of the three spots on the field in 11 personnel — and every other personnel grouping that isn’t for short yardage purposes. You can count Preston Williams a safe bet as well when he’s healthy. That duo gives Miami three receiving targets with size between Parker (6-foot-3), Williams (6-foot-5) and Gesicki (6-foot-6) on the field at the same time and plenty of physicality. If the team is looking for a little bit of juice or quickness, they’ll have three options between Jakeem Grant, Albert Wilson and a sleeper in Gary Jennings Jr. — who played in a spread offense in college with West Virginia and was a 4th-round pick in 2019.
Given Miami’s persistence in hanging onto Albert Wilson despite an ugly contract situation at the beginning of the offseason, we’ll lean into him being the third option. Wilson has the run after catch prowess (when healthy) to bring a different dynamic to the offense versus what the size targets can provide and Miami will need a little versatility to create some big catch and run opportunities with Tagovailoa’s accuracy.