Tua Tagovailoa’s 2024 season saw him go for 2,867 yards,
19 TDs, 7 INTs in 11 starts, including an impressive 72.9% completion
rate. This helped prove that Tua is still capable of being efficient,
particularly in Mike McDaniels’ offense. The unfortunate
reality is that his injury history -- missing 3+ games in four
of five seasons, including six in 2024 -- makes him a high-risk
QB2 heading into 2025.
Tagovailoa’s complete lack of rushing production caps his
fantasy ceiling, but what’s worse is that a weak offensive
line adds constant pressure to a player who already has serious
injury concerns. Worse yet, with Zach Wilson and rookie Quinn
Ewers as backups, there’s even a possibility that Tua could
hit the bench if his efficiency declines.
Thankfully, Tua’s low ADP reflects the risks associated
with drafting him and a healthy Tua in this pass-heavy system
has the potential to return a low-level QB1 result.
De’Von Achane was a PPR monster in his second season in
2024, leading all RBs with 78 receptions and 614 receiving yards,
plus 990 rushing yards and nine TDs. This impressive season saw
him stay healthy, allowing him to finish as the RB5.
His unique role as not only a running back, but a legitimate
passing game weapon makes Achane one of the most unique fantasy
players for 2025. Former backup Raheem Mostert is gone and now
Achane faces limited competition from Jaylen Wright, Alexander
Mattison, and rookie Ollie
Gordon II.
Despite a relatively minimal opportunity share that saw him outside
the top-20 in 2024, Achane’s efficiency and nose for the
end zone make him an elite RB1. Assuming that Tua stays healthy,
Achane is a second-round lock with legitimate RB1 overall upside.
Jaylen Wright’s rookie season was quiet as he was stuck
behind both De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. The Dolphins
moved on from Mostert this offseason, which presumably elevates
Wright to the primary backup role as he competes with just journeyman
Alexander Mattison and rookie Ollie Gordon II.
Miami’s offseason moves suggest confidence in Wright, but
his poor rushing metrics and pass-protection struggles limit his
standalone value as long as Achane is healthy. Achane’s
durability was a concern following his rookie season, but he played
all 17 games in 2024.
As things stand right now, Wright is a high-end handcuff, valuable
in best-ball or deep leagues if Achane misses time, but don’t
expect consistent touches without injuries ahead of him on the
depth chart.
Tyreek Hill’s 2024 was a letdown as the veteran superstar
made just 81 catches for 959 yards, and six TDs. This kept him
to a WR18 finish as a wrist injury and Tua’s absences tanked
his efficiency. Despite a career-low 11.8 YPC, Hill still showed
elite separation and his two 100-yard games in final five weeks
proved that his explosive ability is still there.
With Jonnu Smith’s 111 targets vacated, Hill and Waddle
should see an even higher target share in an already consolidated
offensive system. Miami’s pass-heavy scheme, Hill still
has elite WR1 upside.
At 31, along with off-field concerns and a weaker O-line, there
are risks associated with drafting Hill, But the upside of a healthy
Tua gives Hill serious WR1 potential and it won’t cost nearly
as much to draft him this season as it has in years past.
Jaylen Waddle’s 2024 was a career-worst as he caught just
58 passes for 744 yards and two TDs in 15 games. Hampered even
further by a late-season knee injury and Tua’s absences,
Waddle’s 16.6% target share and 17.4% targets per route
run were both career lows, as De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith
siphoned many of the short targets that used to go to Waddle.
With Smith gone, Waddle should see more usage in Miami’s
scheme, setting him up for a rebound here in 2025.
Better yet, at a mid-round ADP, Waddle’s a buy-low with
solid WR2 potential, especially if Tua can finally stay healthy.
It’s been a few years, but Waddle’s 2022 season saw
him finish as a WR1, which highlights his ceiling, particularly
if Tyreek Hill were to miss time. Unfortunately, there does seem
to be some risk of another frustrating season for fantasy managers,
as the Dolphins did not prioritize him much this past season.
Darren Waller retired following an ugly 2023 season with the
Giants. He now returns to the field as a Dolphin here in 2025,
stepping into what was an extremely productive tight end role
for the Dolphins in 2024. Jonnu Smith made 88 catches for the
Dolphins last season and the team still opted to move on from
him, potentially indicating that they believe that other tight
ends could return most, if not all of what Smith did in his breakout
season.
However, at age 32, Waller’s injury history and lack of
production since his 2020-21 peak should temper expectations for
fantasy managers. Miami’s pass-heavy offense and vacated
targets offer opportunity, but Waller’s unlikely to see
much volume in an offense where he’s competing with the
likes of Hill, Waddle, and Achane.
Still, Waller’s going undrafted in many leagues and it
wouldn’t be difficult for him to far exceed his draft day
cost. His 2025 role may be touchdown-dependent, but the Dolphins
are an efficient offense that should give him plenty of opportunities
to score and return to the old days of fantasy glory.
