MIAMI — Super Bowl chatter is entertaining, but it’s crucial to set reasonable expectations for the 2024 Miami Dolphins season, which marks the third year of Mike McDaniel’s tenure.

McDaniel’s club has made steady progress each of his first two seasons, but is it fair to expect this organization to take another step forward—a playoff win, an AFC East division crown—while the coaching staff is working with an inferior roster?

Say whatever you want about what team general manager Chris Grier has done this offseason. Despite facing significant financial issues that resulted in a large departure of free agents, Miami has taken a step back in four categories based on the roster heading into Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Allow us to look down the 2024 roster and see if Miami made improvement or regressed in each unit.

Quarterbacks

Players: Tua Tagovailoa, Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle (practice squad).

Tua Tagovailoa, who has lost some weight and increased the velocity of his passes, is entering his third season in McDaniel’s offense and should be one of the NFL’s passing leaders in 2024 assuming he remains healthy. Thompson dethroned Mike White as Miami’s No. 2 quarterback and has a talent for creativity.

Comparison: Better because Tagovailoa, who is 26, should continue to improve.

Running Backs

Players include Raheem Mostert, Devon Achane, Jaylen Wright (rookie), Jeff Wilson Jr., and Deneric Prince (practice squad).

Analysis: Last season, Mostert and Achane combined for 1,812 running yards and 32 touchdowns, and if the offensive line is good, they should produce similarly. Wright has had a strong rookie camp, demonstrating that he has the talent to join the playing rotation. Wilson is an inside-zone specialist with starting experience.

Comparison: Better since Achane is improving and Wright showed promise during training camp and the preseason.

Receivers

Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr. (physically unable to perform), River Cracraft (injured reserve), Braxton Berrios, Malik Washington (R), Grant DuBose, Erik Ezukanma (PS), Robbie Chosen (PS), and Dee Eskridge (PS).

Analysis: The plan was for Hill, Waddle, and Beckham to form Miami’s WR triumvirate, but Beckham began the season on the PUP and will not be eligible to play until October. Cracraft, who is on injured reserve due to a shoulder ailment, will not play. Berrios, Washington, and DuBose will compete with Chosen, Ezukanma, and Eskridge for the No. 3 spot on the practice squad. Eskridge, a former second-round pick, possesses returner ability.

Comparison: Better since Beckham makes a difference when healthy, while Cedrick Wilson Jr. was the most significant departure from last season’s unit.

Tight end/fullback

Players include Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill, Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci (PS), and Alec Ingold at fullback.

Analysis: The six players in this group each have unique skill sets that complement one another. Smith specializes at running after catches. Smythe and Hill excel at in-line blocking. Conner, a former collegiate receiver, is versatile and has excellent hands. And Ingold has the toughness Miami needs in short-yardage situations.

Comparison: Smith improves the offense by adding an aspect that was missing last year.

Offensive linemen

Starters: LT Terron Armstead and LG Robert Jones, center Aaron Brewer, right guard Liam Eichenberg, and right tackle Austin Jackson. Backups: Patrick Paul, Kendall Lamm, C. Andrew Meyer, Lester Cotton, Isaiah Wynn (PUP), Chasen Hines (PS), Bayron Matos (PS), and Anderson Hardy (PS).

Starters: LT Terron Armstead, LG Robert Jones, C Aaron Brewer, RG Liam Eichenberg, RT Austin Jackson. Backups: OT Patrick Paul, OT Kendall Lamm, C Andrew Meyer, OG Lester Cotton, OG Isaiah Wynn (PUP), OG Chasen Hines (PS), OT Bayron Matos (PS), OT Anderson Hardy (PS).

Analysis: Armstead’s an All-Pro-caliber offensive tackle when the 11-year veteran is healthy. Jackson is coming off his most impressive season. Brewer is an effective run blocker who needs to improve his pass protection. Jones, Eichenberg and Cotton will compete for the starting guard spots while Wynn, who is on the PUP reserve list, rehabs a quadriceps injury that cut his season short in 2023. The Dolphins need this unit to stay healthy to avoid the late-season struggles they had last year.

Worse because Connor Williams was a standout last season, and Brewer has battled in pass protection. Also, there is a significant drop-off from Hunt to whoever succeeds him.

Edge players

Players: Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb (PUP), Emmanuel Ogbah, Quinton Bell, Chop Robinson (R), Mohamed Kamara (R), Cameron Goode (PUP), and Williams Bradley-King.

Jaelen Phillips, who is nine months into his Achilles injury recovery, is healthy enough to start the season on the active roster as a starter. Chubb (ACL) and Goode (patella tendon) will start the season on the PUP, which means they’ll be out until at least October. While Chubb is out, Ogbah and Bell will battle for the starting job, while Robinson, Miami’s first-round pick in 2024, will serve as the Dolphins’ pass rush specialist while learning to set the edge for run plays.

Players include Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris (IR), Nik Needham, and Jordan Colbert (R).

Poyer and Holland are considered Miami’s starters, but both have struggled with injuries during camp. Holland is in a vital contract year, so expect him to persevere despite his difficulties. Poyer, an 11-year veteran, must show that he has the range to cover deep center field. The Bills didn’t trust him to accomplish it last year, possibly because he’s lost step. Maye, who has started 77 games, is an effective starter. Campbell and Needham have some exceptional team value.