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

From Big Ern McDolphin:

Isaiah Wynn played well before he got hurt last year, but how much can we expect from him this season after such a long layoff and with just eight games left? 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 of what kind of performance he could produce once he’s activated on the 53-man roster, which I wouldn’t expect this weekend. At the very least, Wynn should provide competition for 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 picked up his contract from Seattle and it expires at the end of the season. It’s certainly possible the Dolphins could re-sign him, but I doubt it would happen before the offseason.

From Chris Bustin

Hello Alain. Everyone is talking about the Dolphins making a playoff run by going 2-1 against the Packers, Texans and 49ers — along with winning every other game this season. I feel Dolphins fans have a better chance of winning the Powerball. What do you think? Thanks!

Hey Chris, if the Dolphins finish this way, they would finish with a 10-7 record and definitely make the playoffs. Is it realistic that they go 7-1 the rest of the way? Probably not. I think it might be more realistic to hope that the Dolphins go 6-2 and that a 9-8 record is good enough to clinch a playoff spot.

From Leon Fresco:

We have three good slopes; why not use them occasionally 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 pretty much eliminates the threat of a pass on any given play. Now, if you’re struggling at quarterback, maybe that makes more sense. So maybe the Dolphins should have used it when they had Thompson, Huntley or Boyle at quarterback, not Tua.

From Ricky Schemeboat:

Hey, I’m not living in fantasyland already thinking 2025. I know Tua is here to stay (for now) but would you invest $ in a top level backup or draft a QB in round 1 or 2 next year’s draft?

Hi Ricky, personally I think you should still have hopes for 2024 and turn your attention to 2025 when the playoffs are no longer possible as you still have plenty of time regardless, but that’s just me. To answer your question, I absolutely think the Dolphins should spend some money to acquire a high-end backup QB for 2025. No question. As for drafting someone in Round 1 or 2, I have a hard time evaluating the question because I just don’t see the Dolphins doing it.

From Robert Hanson:

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

Hi Robert, we also have to throw Terron Armstead into the mix because, like Jones, he is doubtful about the Raiders game. I think Carman will be up regardless, 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 would be the front four, but both Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce are on injured reserve. The secondary is mediocre at best, and it doesn’t help the Raiders that they play Sunday without starting cornerback Nate Hobbs. The best of the bunch, according to Pro Football Focus ratings, is safety Isaiah Pola-Mao. But overall it’s not a good group.

From Fin’s Broke My Heart:

Is Tyreek disinterested, hurt, or both?

I think we can say different things about Tyreek, but being disinterested is not one of them. Hill has battled a wrist problem all season, one severe enough that it will likely require surgery at some point. And let’s also not forget that he revealed he had offseason knee surgery. And then he had the foot injury in training. So, yes, the answer here is “damaged.”

From Dinney Wilkinson:

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

Hi Dinney, That’s a valid question, especially considering Long was the team captain. But let’s also not pretend Long didn’t struggle this season. The Dolphins really like Riley as a backup linebacker and core special teams guy, but you might have an argument with Tindall, whose contributions are limited. Is it possible that Long asked for his release so he could join another team and the Dolphins agreed to let his contract expire after the season? Absolutely. Mike McDaniel said Friday it was a “team decision,” but perhaps that decision meant making Long a permanent decision.