Backed with two early wins, in 2023, the Miami Dolphins thrashed the Denver Broncos’ defense in week 3 in a 70-20 home win to announce their bold return. Although HC Mike McDaniel would have wanted to repeat such a feat through 2024, they failed to the point that they did not even make the playoffs. Their 11-6 record in 2023 turned to 8-9 last season. Entering the make-or-break 2025 season, McDaniel knew the clear writing on the wall– rebuild.

This season, the Dolphins are tied for the 11th-easiest schedule in the league, which should help them prove that last season was an outlier and not an emerging pattern. Just ten days ago, however, ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager appeared on NFL Live and had one question– “What the h*ck is Miami Dolphins’ 2025 season going to look like?” With multiple injuries and a young roster, McDaniel also has to face the time he believes is the worst in the NFL schedule: the cutdown day. By Tuesday, 4 pm ET, the front office will need to bring its 90-player team down to 53. Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel revealed six names he believes will pack their bags:

• Running Backs: Mike Boone and Aaron Shampklin. The two RBs were brought in the aftermath of Alexander Mattison’s season-ending injury. However, they’ve been playing catch-up since then. Shampklin, with his 26-yard run against the Lions, did make his case a little. But even if he clears waivers, he might only find a place in the practice squad.
  Boone added 13 yards on three attempts that day, but has otherwise shown steady work. The Dolphins are more likely to cut them out despite needing some depth at RB.
• Wide Receivers: Erik Ezukanma and Andrew Armstrong. Ezukanma came to Miami as one of McDaniel’s era’s first draft picks. However, the once-projected depth piece faced some tough challenges for the spot in his fourth year. Against the Lions, he managed one reception for 3 yards and needs to have a better performance to give himself a better chance of sticking around.
  Armstrong had a better show with a reception for 12 yards, but it was still one of the worst performances in the 24-17 win. He showed athleticism in camp, but didn’t have the reps to stick.
• Defensive Linemen: Alex Huntley and Matt Dickerson. Huntley was the heart and soul of the South Carolina Gamecocks and led them as a team captain in his last two seasons in Columbia. However, signed as an undrafted free agent by Miami and not outperforming the rest of the team, he is likely to be cut first.
  Dickerson probably had one of the better overall training camps, but with Zeek Biggers closing the gap between them lately, he has made a strong case for why the team should keep him. If McDaniel chooses to keep an additional defensive lineman, Dickerson is probably going to fit in.

Beyond those six, Miami has even tougher questions to answer. The offensive line is solid when healthy, but dangerously thin in depth. With Liam Eichenberg on the PUP list and Andrew Meyer resting on IR, the unit could require assistance from the waiver wire. The group of cornerbacks is even more concerning. With Kader Kohou out for the season and both Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller gone, Miami’s secondary is a patchwork of young players and journeymen.

However, the linebacking unit is filled with veterans like Jordyn Brooks and Willie Gay Jr., rendering promising names available on the practice squad. And at running back, Jaylen Wright’s recent injury scare has made an already shallow rotation more complicated. It increased the stakes on Achane’s health and Gordon’s capacity to perform. At the same time, for now, the Dolphins also have to deal with their top WR’s absence.

Tyreek Hill is putting health ahead of Mike McDaniel’s training camp

While roster battles continue to be waged, the Dolphins’ largest concern is their most dynamic player. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who missed much of the offseason with a wrist injury followed by a nagging oblique injury, is also slated to miss the rest of camp. As per The Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly, he could sit out of practice until the start of the regular season. For now, he is prioritizing getting back to full health in time for Week 1.

The absence has been glaring. Miami’s offense is built on the speed and space created by Hill and Jaylen Waddle. And without him, the camp has leaned heavily on Malik Washington and Tahj Washington. Kelly even believes that Malik Washington might become a major third-down weapon for Tagovailoa in the season.

Darren Waller’s removal from the PUP list boosts depth, but Hill’s unique ability to stretch defenses simply has no substitute. At age 30, with thousands of career plays already logged on his legs. Sitting out camp reps is a reasonable trade if it’s for being ready to explode out of the gates in September. McDaniel and the coaching staff appear in lockstep with the plan. Resting their superstar to avoid any setbacks ahead of the Sept. 7 opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

Tagovailoa had previously mentioned how his chemistry with Hill needs work. But with Hill missing practices, it’s been harder. However, Hill’s nine seasons of elite production speak for themselves. What he does require is to arrive at Week 1 at full speed, able to convert ordinary slants into touchdowns and stretching secondaries that dare to play man coverage.

For now, McDaniel has the simultaneous burden of cutting his roster while keeping his stars under wraps. The Dolphins might appear younger and untested in places. But they also have a speed-based identity. If Hill is back healthy and the rookies pan out early, Miami might be rewriting its standing in the conference pecking order.