Dolphins position review: More changes coming to Miami’s special teams unit?

The Dolphins have already made one slight change to the special teams coaching staff, bringing in Ronnie Bradford as senior special teams assistant. Could there be changes to the special teams personnel in 2024?

In the 11th and last of a series of position reviews, the Miami Herald will examine the team’s special teams situation.

2023 in review

The Dolphins fielded one of the worst special teams units in 2022 but head coach Mike McDaniel decided to stick with the two members of the unit who faced the most criticism for the underwhelming performance: coordinator Danny Crossman and kicker Jason Sanders.

Miami, though, made changes at punter and return specialist, bringing in Jake Bailey and wide receiver Braxton Berrios, respectively. The Dolphins’ special teams unit improved in 2023, mainly because of the resurgence of Sanders. But Bailey wasn’t much of an upgrade over Thomas Morstead and the team still struggled to cover returns.

Depth chart

Jason Sanders

▪ Skinny: Sanders had struggled from long range in the previous two seasons but more resembled his 2020 All-Pro form in 2023. He made 24 of 28 field-goal attempts, and his 85.7 field-goal percentage was his highest since 2020. Sanders also made five of seven attempts from 50-plus yards, his most makes from that range since 2020.

▪ Contract: Sanders, who turns 29 in November, is entering the third year of a five-year extension he signed in 2021. He has a cap hit of $4,506,500, but none of his $3,775,000 base salary is guaranteed.

Jake Bailey

▪ Skinny: In his first season in Miami, Bailey averaged 45.7 yards per punt, which ranked fifth lowest among 33 qualifying punters. Bailey landed 37.7 percent of his punts inside the 20-yard line, which ranked 16th.

▪ Contract: Bailey, who turns 27 in June, is an unrestricted free agent.

Blake Ferguson

▪ Skinny: Ferguson completed his fourth season as the Dolphins’ long snapper.

▪ Contract: Ferguson, who turns 27 in April, is entering the first year of a three-year extension he signed in 2023. He has a cap hit of $1,262,500 but none of his $1,125,000 base salary is guaranteed.

Braxton Berrios

▪ Skinny: Berrios was the Dolphins’ top return specialist in 2023. He averaged 24.5 yards per kick return and 10.2 yards per punt return.

▪ Contract: Berrios, who turns 29 in October, is an unrestricted free agent.

Justin Bethel

▪ Skinny: Bethel played a team-high 318 special teams snaps and was one of the Dolphins’ top gunners.

▪ Contract: Bethel, who turns 34 in June, is an unrestricted free agent.

Duke Riley

▪ Skinny: Riley’s 317 special teams snaps ranked second on the team.

▪ Contract: Riley, who turns 30 in August, is entering the final year of a two-year deal he signed in 2023. He has a cap hit of $3,085,000 but none of his $2,250,000 is guaranteed.

Cameron Goode

▪ Skinny: Goode’s 309 special teams snaps ranked third on the team but he tore his patellar tendon in the regular-season finale.

▪ Contract: Goode, who turns 26 in April, is entering the final year of a two-year deal he signed in 2023. He has a $915,000 nonguaranteed base salary and cap hit.

Offseason questions

1. Can Sanders maintain his long-range success?

From year to year, kickers can be volatile, and no greater example has been Sanders. In 2020, he was an All-Pro mainly because of his proficiency in long field-goal attempts. He made five kicks from 50 or more yards in 2020 but was 4 of 12 in 2021 and 2022. Frustration from fans was palpable but McDaniel and Crossman continued to express faith in Sanders. He rewarded their belief with his best season in years.

Though there is no guaranteed money remaining on his salary, Sanders’ standing on the team should be solidified. But he hasn’t put together two consistent seasons, so that’s something to watch for in 2024.

2. Will Miami be in the market for a punter and returner again?

Both Bailey and Berrios are set to hit free agency with their one-year deals expiring. Both were solid in their first seasons in Miami, but the Dolphins could improve at the margins if they want, with multiple intriguing options in free agency. Miami was tied for 10th in yards per kick return (24.5) and 12th in yards per punt return (9.8). The Dolphins were 28th in yards per punt (45.7), and Bailey landed 37.7 percent of his punts inside the 20-yard line, which ranked 15th.

3. Will the Dolphins’ coverage units improve?

While Sanders returned closer to his All-Pro form and the Dolphins got a boost in the return game, the team’s coverage units remained a weakness. Miami was last in kick return average allowed (30.5) and 28th in punt return average allowed (12.2). The Dolphins were also one of two teams to allow a kick return touchdown and punt return touchdown in 2023.

One of the biggest swings of the season was when Miami allowed a punt return touchdown in the regular-season finale loss to the Buffalo Bills that cost the Dolphins the AFC East. Multiple special contributors will be free agents next month, so the Dolphins will have to find capable players, whether it’s retaining players or finding outside additions.

Potential additions

The Cleveland Browns’ Corey Bojorquez, New York Jets’ Thomas Morstead and the Arizona Cardinals’ Blake Gillikin are among the best punter options in free agency.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devin Duvernay are both All-Pro returners who are hitting free agency.