Finishing 10-6 last season, the Miami Dolphins had a record that half of the NFL teams would envy. Yet, they still missed the playoffs, leaving a distasteful aura for the team heading into 2021. The 10-6 finish was ultimately just a sign the team’s construction still had more question than answers. Some of those questions were answered with several high NFL Draft draft picks this season. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and Pro-Bowl Cornerback Xavien Howard are the faces of the 2021 Miami Dolphins who can be cornerstones.
2021 Miami Dolphins: Faces of the Team
Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa is in a rough spot as he will be either the spotlight of the Dolphins success or failure this season. The Dolphins signed Jacoby Brissett this off-season to possibly takeover should Tagovailoa continue to struggle with health or accuracy. While the team can still succeed without Tagovailoa consistently at the helm – their success may even be despite Tagovailoa – his failure would be a massive knock against the front office and developmental staff. Conversely, a consistent and serviceable Tagovailoa would make him a face of the Dolphins for years to come.
Hence, it may be better to say Tagovailoa can be the face of the Dolphins in 2021, and whatever the results are, fans are likely to attach his face to that result. There are good reasons to believe that he will become an amiable quarterback for the Dolphins. He had a healthy 64.1 completion percentage, he never made egregious errors, and the Dolphins finished 6-3 while he was healthy. In the end, he may not be the dynamic playmaker the Dolphins need, but if he avoids making mistakes, he could let the talent around him shine. The biggest boost for Tagovailoa will be a full, and relatively normal, off-season with new wide receivers Will Fuller (from free-agency) and rookie Jaylen Waddle. There are plenty of opportunities for Tagovailoa to cement the Dolphins this season, and consequently, himself.
Jaylen Waddle
A rookie being a face of the team is revealing of the Dolphins need for their young talent (Tagovailoa, Waddle, running back Myles Gaskin) to perform this season. However, as the sixth overall pick, Waddle will play an important role immediately. Rookie wide receivers can make an immediate impact, especially one who plays the way that Waddle does. What he lacks in height, he can make up in speed and physicality while competing for a ball. The Dolphins offense should see an instant benefit from his dynamic playstyle. If he manages to draw double-coverage, or draw the prolonged attention of a safety, Fuller and DeVante Parker will also find additional room to make plays.
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Xavien Howard
Howard is in a ‘unique’ position this off-season and, at time of writing, has entered a holdout instead of training camp. His contract was extended in 2019 as the highest-paid cornerback, since surpassed. Coming off his second Pro-Bowl and his first ‘First-Team All-Pro’ season, Howard is making the argument to be the highest paid cornerback once again. Regardless, he is a face of the Dolphins, who are likely to make room for acquiescence or create compromise.
The Dolphins secondary has often been a reason they can stay in games and maintain a competitive edge. Much of that is due to Howard, who had 10 interceptions and 20 passes defended last season. He owns the style of a certified star and carries himself on the field with the weight of one. If the Dolphins are to have a stellar defense – which is realistic with the rising efforts of linebacker Jerome Baker and a defensive heavy rookie class – Howard will be their icon just as Richard Sherman was to the Seattle Seahawks.
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