Captains’ Code: Breaking Down 2025 NFL Team DNA — Miami Dolphins

Edition #259

Aug 03, 2025

Everyone’s doing season previews — but we’re doing something different. The
Captains’ Code is all about what really makes or breaks an NFL team. It’s not just about rosters or vibes. It’s about the identity, the pressure points, the bold calls, and the one thing that could send everything crashing down… or finally take them over the top. No filler. Just straight-up football breakdowns that tell you what actually matters heading into 2025.

The X-Factor That Will Make or Break This Season

One huge thing is going to make or break this season, and that’s the running game. In 2023, the Dolphins were the most efficient team in the running game, at 5.06 yards per attempt, but that dropped to 28th in 2024 when they were at 4.01 yards per attempt. Yes, one big reason was Austin Jackson’s injury, but when it comes to rushing attempts per broken tackle, the Dolphins came in 2nd to last in the entire league.

Last Year’s Numbers:

The Miami Dolphins offense ranked 22nd in points scored per game with 20.3, 15th in passing yards per game with 219.8, and 21st in rushing yards per game with 105.6. The team ranked 18th in total yards per game with 325.4. Defensively, they allowed 21.4 points per game, ranking 9th, and were 4th in total yards allowed per game with 314.4. They ranked 23rd in sacks with 35 and 23rd in interceptions with 10. Their turnover differential was -19, ranking them tied for 18th overall.1

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Key Player(s) to Watch: The Heroes and the Wild Cards

Kenneth Grant, Cam Smith, and Zach Wilson. Yeah, you read that right. Zach Wilson. Grant was selected in the first round this year, and he was picked to really bolster their defense. He’s going to get a lot of playing time. Then, you have Cam Smith. The CB position is wide open for this team, and if Smith wants to keep playing professional football, he’s going to have to try his best not to get injured. Finally, Wilson, and uh, that’s because of Tua. At this point, the Dolphins know that they can’t count on Tua to play a full season, so Wilson’s going to have to lead the team. He’s gotta be a hero unless Quinn Ewers steals his job.

Coaching: What’s Different This Year?

The Miami Dolphins made several coaching changes after the 2024 season, parting ways with special teams coordinator Danny Crossman and wide receivers coach/pass game specialist Wes Welker. Robert Prince was hired as the new wide receivers coach. Craig Aukerman was brought in as the new special teams coordinator.

The Bold Prediction

I’m not very confident in this Miami Dolphins team, especially because their biggest strength from last year is about to become their biggest weakness. I’m talking about their secondary. This might be enough to get them to the playoffs, but I’m still not convinced it ends the 25-year playoff win drought.

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The Realistic Win Total & Why

8-9. Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland are gone. Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey are also gone. Kader Kohou is pretty much the only guy who I believe can be competitive, but the situation around him isn’t very good, as the Dolphins did nothing to replace the guys they lost.

The Biggest Question Mark Heading Into 2025

Can the Dolphins finally snap their playoff win drought this year?

My Takeaway

If the Dolphins can fix a couple of holes on the defensive side of things, then they can definitely become a playoff team; otherwise, I don’t have much hope for them.

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I used an experimental program to get me these statistics, so please don’t jump on me if they’re wrong.