It has been a very long time for the reason that Miami Dolphins had famous person energy all through the roster. You’d have to return to the times of Dan Marino to see a quarterback-wide receiver duo as lethal as WR Tyreek Hill and QB Tua Tagovailoa. That’s most likely why NFL Community’s Judy Battista listed each Hill and Tua in a latest article itemizing a number of the prime NFL MVP darkish horse candidates heading into the 2024 NFL Season.
The primary Dolphins participant on Battista’s listing won’t essentially be a darkish horse, contemplating all the things he completed all through his profession. Ask any defensive coordinator in soccer who essentially the most explosive participant within the league is, and lots of would say Tyreek Hill. Hill closed in on Calvin Johnson’s single-season file for the second consecutive season, in the end falling simply shy of the mark. However that doesn’t imply he’s been any much less spectacular.
Since becoming a member of the Dolphins in 2022, Hill has caught 238 of 341 targets for 3,509 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Right here’s what Battista needed to say about Hill:::
Calvin Johnson has predicted that his single-season receiving file of 1,964 yards will finally fall, and Hill was forward of Johnson’s tempo for many of 2023, till a late-season ankle harm restricted him to 1,799 yards, which nonetheless led the league. For a large receiver to win MVP — it’s by no means occurred — would require a very extraordinary season, however Hill is able to it, because of his electrifying run-after-catch-ability and his chemistry with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Staying wholesome via 17 video games is the problem for Hill, and it could assist if the Dolphins’ offense — which completed first in offensive yardage final season — doesn’t fade down the stretch because it did in 2023. Miami didn’t clear 20 factors in both of the ultimate two regular-season video games, opening the door for the Payments to win the AFC East.
If Hill was the primary participant on the listing, then we are able to most likely assume who the second participant is — clearly, it’s Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Final season, Miami’s franchise quarterback led the league in passing yards with 4,624 yards. He additionally added a career-best 29 touchdowns and was one of many names constantly related to the MVP award final season. So, I’m glad to see his identify on the listing. I do know I converse for a lot of followers who need to see this crew play nicely into January. And if that occurs, each Tagovailoa and Hill might be enjoying at an MVP-caliber stage.
Right here’s what Battista needed to say about Tua in her darkish horse article:
Tagovailoa has been within the MVP dialog in earlier seasons, solely to have accidents — to himself or others — quiet the chatter. This season could possibly be completely different. For one factor, Tagovailoa stayed wholesome in 2023, and, not surprisingly, that led him to put up profession highs in completion proportion (69.3), yardage and landing passes. He led the league in passing yards (4,624) and tied for fifth in landing passes (29). Now, Tyreek Hill (already talked about above) is again. Jaylen Waddle simply signed a brand new contract. And importantly, Tagovailoa — who beforehand packed on weight in an effort to keep away from harm final season — has slimmed down once more in hopes of regaining the mobility that was clearly compromised by the added kilos. If Tagovailoa can handle the fragile balancing act between being cell and being wholesome whereas nonetheless delivering the ball to 2 of the very best receivers within the recreation, the numbers ought to get him again within the combine for the best enjoying honor. For him to remain within the dialog, although, the Dolphins should keep away from the late-season scoring difficulties that in the end doomed them in ‘23.
Battista’s listing, which seems in no order, consists of a number of the greatest the NFL has to supply. Different gamers in addition to Hill and Tagovailoa included on this listing are:
Detroit Lions, QB Jared Goff
San Francisco 49ers, RB Christian McCaffrey
Arizona Cardinals, QB, Kyler Murray
Dallas Cowboys, EDGE, Micah Parson
Houston Texans, QB, C.J. Stroud
BONUS: Inexperienced Bay Packers, QB, Jordan Love
What are your ideas on Judy Battista’s NFL MVP Darkish Horses listing for the 2024 Season? Do you agree that Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill belong on this listing? Is there another Dolphins participant you assume might sneak into the dialogue earlier than the season’s finish? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!
