Part 1 of the pre-Raiders Miami Dolphins On SI mailbag:

From Big Ern McDolphin:

Isaiah Wynn played well before getting injured last year, but what can we really expect from him this season after such a long break and with only eight games remaining? Is Dodson a half-season rental or do the Dolphins have long-term plans for him?

Very good point about Wynn and why everyone should go easy on expectations for what kind of performance he might produce once activated to the 53-man roster, which I wouldn’t expect this week -end. At the very least, Wynn should compete with Robert Jones at left guard, and if he shows he can return to his 2023 form, he would likely find himself in the starting lineup. As for Dodson, the Dolphins got his contract back from Seattle and it expires at the end of the season. It’s certainly possible that the Dolphins could re-sign him, but I doubt that will happen before the offseason.

By Chris Bustin

Hello, Alan. Everyone is talking about the Dolphins’ postseason success by going 2-1 against the Packers, Texans and 49ers – while winning every other game this season. I feel like Dolphins fans have a better chance of winning the Powerball. What do you think? THANKS!

Hey Chris, if the Dolphins finish this way they will end up with a 10-7 record and will most certainly make the playoffs. Is it realistic to think they will go 7-1 the rest of the way? Probably not. I think it may be more realistic to hope that the Dolphins go 6-2 down the stretch and that a 9-8 record becomes good enough to earn a playoff spot.

From Léon Fresco:

We have three good running backs; why not use them from time to time in a Wildcat formation?

Hey Leon, because I HATE the Wildcat. Oops, sorry, not a valid answer. Look around the NFL, you see a Wildcat snap here and there, but not much more than that and the reason is pretty simple: it virtually eliminates the threat of a pass on any particular play. Now, if you’re struggling at the quarterback position, maybe this makes more sense. So maybe the Dolphins should have used him when they had Thompson, Huntley or Boyle at quarterback, not Tua.

From Ricky Schemeboat:

Hey, I don’t live in fantasy land and I’m already thinking about 2025. I know Tua is here to stay (for now), but would you invest $ in a top tier backup or would you draft a QB at first or second round next year? draft?

Hey Ricky, I personally think you should still have your hopes up for 2024 and turn your attention to 2025 once the playoffs are no longer possible because you’ll still have plenty of time anyway, but that’s just me . To answer your question, I absolutely think the Dolphins should spend money to get a high-end backup QB for 2025. Without a doubt. As for drafting someone in the first or second round, I have a hard time evaluating the question because I just don’t see the Dolphins doing that.

From Robert Hanson:

If Robert Jones is inactive on Sunday, that leaves the Dolphins with 7 active OLs who are promoted from the practice squad. A. Chasen Hines B. Jackson Carman C. Ryan Hayes D. Bayron Matos

Hey Robert, we also need to launch Terron Armstead in the mix because, like Jones, he is questionable for the Raiders game. I think Carman will be up either way, and then I think the rest of the pecking order is Hines, Hayes and Matos.

From Jorge Boyd:

Hi Alain, how good is the Raiders DB?

The strength of the Raiders defense was expected to be the starting four, but Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce are both on injured reserve. The secondary is average at best, and it won’t help the Raiders that they will play Sunday without starting cornerback Nate Hobbs. The best of the group, according to Pro Football Focus grades, is safety Isaiah Pola-Mao. But overall, it’s not a great group.

De Fins broke my heart:

Is Tyreek disinterested, hurt, or both?

I think we can say different things about Tyreek, but his selflessness isn’t one of them. Hill has been dealing with a wrist issue all season, one serious enough to likely require surgery at some point. And let’s also not forget that he revealed he had knee surgery during the offseason. And then he injured his foot in training. So yes, the answer here is “hurt”.

From Dinney Wilkinson:

Hi Alain and thank you! Why cut your 3rd ILB pick (Long) instead of your 4th (Riley) or 5th (Tindall)? I understand we can view Dodson as an upgrade over Long and maybe Walker Jr., but why cut down the middle of the roster instead of the end when Long and Dodson can/will both play ST ?

Hey Dinney, that’s a valid question, especially considering Long was a team captain. But let’s also not pretend that Long wasn’t struggling this season. The Dolphins really like Riley as a backup linebacker and special teams member, but maybe you have a beef with Tindall, whose contributions are limited. Is it possible that Long requested his release so he could join another team and the Dolphins acquiesced because his contract was up after the season? Absolutely. Mike McDaniel said Friday that it was a “team decision,” but that decision perhaps involved making Long a solid.