Top 10 Miami Dolphins offseason priorities | Schad

MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said recently that, yes, this was a "successful" season. But no, he added, he is "not satisfied."

It's a good thing Grier added that disclaimer. Because, yes, making the playoffs for only the second time in 14 years is a notable accomplishment for the Dolphins.

But after a brutal and intentional teardown of the roster in 2019, the objective was to be in position to compete for a spot in the Super Bowl following the 2022, '23 or '24 season.

After an 8-3 start but a 1-6 finish, it's hard to say how close Miami truly is to that goal. Key injuries decimated the Dolphins and played a key role in the faded season.

Dolphins will hold breath, hope Tua is available to defeat Josh Allen, Bills in '23 | Schad

The Tape Don't Lie: Miami Dolphins lose playoff game at Buffalo Bills, a review

Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer won't return

Are the Dolphins ready to outlast Kansas City, Buffalo and Cincinnati in 2023?

Grier would cite reasons for optimism and hope. And for sure, there are some.

But 9-9 is 9-9 and 9-9 is not elite. In fact, it's not better than the 9-8 and 10-6 Brian Flores posted in his last two seasons as the Dolphins' coach.

"I started with Bill Parcells, and he says you are what you are," Grier said. "It is what it is. We had a year — we haven’t had injuries like this since probably 2017 maybe was the last time we were this ravaged by injuries. We finished where we were but we got to the playoffs and had a chance to win a playoff game versus one of the best teams in football. That’s what it is.”

Here is our annual look at the Dolphins' Top 10 offseason priorities:

Tua's health and fifth-year option

The Dolphins are not saying whether they will pick up his fifth-year option for 2024 before a May 1 deadline, and this is a very difficult decision. Tua led the NFL in passer rating this year, so that is in his favor.

But Tua had at least two concussions and has a history of injuries that include hip, ankle and hand. Miami could bypass the option and elect to extend or franchise tag Tua after next season if he stays healthy.

Miami says they are committed to Tua for 2023. If they were to add a quarterback the caliber of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Lamar Jackson, they would have to say they changed their mind based on a Hall of Fame-level player becoming available.

It seems more likely Miami will, in fact, ride with Tua in 2023 and see how it goes.

Defensive coaching staff changes

Here are some of the Dolphins' NFL rankings in 2022: Yards per game (18th), points per game (24th), yards per play (14th), third-down defense (24th), red zone defense (23rd), takeaways (30th), sacks per pass attempt (22nd).

It wasn't good enough and it cost defensive coordinator Josh Boyer his job.

Yes, Miami had key injuries to Byron Jones, Emmanuel Ogbah, Brandon Jones and Nik Needham. But this group was talented enough to average in the top 12 of defensive categories. And in the seven categories above, Miami averaged 25th.

Would All-Star defensive coordinator Vic Fangio join McDaniel in Miami?

Christian Wilkins extension

The Dolphins are up against a tight salary cap but it is in their best interest to find a way to extend defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.

Wilkins set club and NFL records for tackles in a season. And he has become a more impactful and better pass rusher in each of his four NFL seasons.

This was a good pick by Grier and was in fact the first pick of Miami's rebuild era.

Byron Jones situation

The Dolphins had confidence Jones would be ready to play the first game of this season and he played in none following offseason lower leg surgery.

Jones just never felt he could run well enough to contribute. We'll see if and when he resumes his career. It would seem unlikely to be in Miami.

But cutting Jones before June 1 would result in a dead cap charge of $14.8 million. Miami could wait to see if he's fully recovered in the summer and wants to play for Miami. If not, they could cut him after June 1 for a dead cap charge of only $4.75 million.

Of course, Miami would then need to add a starter-level NFL cornerback.

Running backs. As in plural.

The Dolphins don't have a running back under contract for next season.

That includes Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin.

It would be great if Miami could bring back Mostert and/or Wilson at reasonable numbers. They both have positive relationships with McDaniel and fit the offensive scheme.

But, tell me if you've heard this one before, Miami should use a second- or third-round pick on a running back in the next NFL draft. The last time they did that they scored with Kenyan Drake.

Backup quarterback

The Dolphins have had some highly capable backup quarterbacks in recent years with Teddy Bridgewater and Jacoby Brissett. Miami needs a similar talent in 2023.

Because Bridgewater had some injury woes, he might not be the best option to back up Tua again.

Some pending free agents include Gardner Minshew, Taylor Heinicke, Mike White, Sam Darnold, Andy Dalton, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard and Cooper Rush.

Matt Ryan will probably be cut loose by the Colts.

Tight end

Expect Mike Gesicki to move on after he was underutilized during his franchise-tag season.

Durham Smythe, Tanner Conner and Hunter Long are under contract for the next one to two years.

Miami wouldn't have kept Conner under contract all season if they didn't think he could at least be a reasonable cost-effective facsimile for Gesicki.

Smythe is an effective lead tight end blocker. Can Long live up to his draft status?

It seems likely Miami either signs or drafts another capable tight end.

Offensive line competition

It seems the Dolphins continue to be open to the possibility of Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson at left guard and right tackle.

Miami is rock solid at left tackle (Terron Armstead), center (Connor Williams) and right guard (Robert Hunt). Is it possible Hunt could move to right tackle if necessary? Yes.

Robert Jones should return as a depth guard capable of competing to start. Miami could bring back Brandon Shell and Eric Fisher or Greg Little as a backup tackle or sign another veteran.

Miami's offensive line must take a leap forward together in 2023.

Xavien Howard production

Before this season, Howard was on track to being in not only the Dolphins Ring of Honor but also the NFL's Hall of Fame. This year was difficult.

Pro Football Focus graded Howard as the 79th-best cornerback in the NFL. In the previous two seasons, he was 24th and second.

What needs to be monitored are Howard's knee/s and his overall health. It was a major negative for Howard this season and he worked through groin and knee issues.

Miami needs vintage Howard back. In 2022, he had one regular-season interception. In the previous two seasons, it was 15. Howard had a passer rating allowed of 101.2 this season after he was at 72.6 and 48.3 in the previous two seasons.

McDaniel self-scouting

McDaniel brought a creative and dynamic offense, positive energy and vibes and a spirit of cooperation, teamwork and cohesion.

On the downside, Miami did lose six of the last seven. The Dolphins were fifth in the NFL in penalty yards. The Dolphins were enormously unsuccessful in replay challenges.

And, at times, Miami ran out of time before offensive snaps occurred. In his second season as primary play-caller, McDaniel should and is expected to be more efficient and comfortable.

McDaniel is transparent, accepts responsibility and carries himself with humility.

"I want desperately for everyone involved to get what I feel like they deserve, and when that’s short, I struggle not to start with myself," McDaniel said late in the season. "I think that will always be the case."

Joe Schad can be reached at jschad@pbpost.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Top 10 Miami Dolphins offseason priorities | Schad