It was reported by Josina Anderson via X (aka Twitter) on March 20,2024 that

Odell Beckham Jr. was set to visit Miami Thursday March 21, 2024. Although it does not appear that any moves have yet to be made, could signing OBJ Jr. be the spark Miami needs to get over the hump and extend their playoff experience past the Wild Card round in 2024?

The Miami Dolphins Finished 2nd in the AFC East with an 11-6 record but were

embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs in route to being knocked out of the Wild Card round in the 2023 playoffs losing 7-26; this was an all too familiar scenario. Miami has been knocked out of the Wildcard playoff round in their last 5 playoff appearances, going back to January 2002 w/ their last WC win taking place on Dec 30, 2000. Tua Tagovailoa was just 3-years old the last time Miami advanced past the Wild Card Round

in the NFL Playoffs!

The Dolphins have arguably one of the top 10 all-time wide receivers currently on their

roster in Tyreek Hill and one of top WR 2 options in Jaylen Waddle. Both wide receivers put up over 1000 yards in their 2023 campaign, w/ Tyreek Hill recording 119 catches w/ 1799yd and Jaylen Waddle recording 72 catches for 1014 yds. So with arguably one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL right now, and by far the best duo in their division, what is holding the Dolphins back from extending their playoff run past the Wild Card round or , better yet, why are they unable to ascertain the top spot in the AFC and

to finish their season out as the AFC #1 seed? it is certainly not due to their lack of

offensive weapons, and thus, adding OBJ would do nothing more than add a gadget player/ WR3 option that comes w/ big name value and Hollywood intrigue.

From all accounts it appears that the lack of running game, low third down

conversations rates, modest quarterback play and costly penalties seem to be the prime reason for the lack of production during the playoffs. In 2022, the Dolphins racked up only 20 rushing attempts for 42 yds, 7 penalties that totaled 34 yds, and 25% 3rd down conversion rate, only converting 4 of 16. In 2023, it was more of the same, the Dolphins racked up a whopping 18 rushing attempts for 76 yds, 8 penalties for 62 yards, and 8.3% 3rd Down Conversation Rate by only converting 1 of 12 third downs. Both years, the starting QBs Skylar Thompson (2022) and Tua Tagovailoa (2023), threw for less than 200 yds and, in todays league, that is not likely to get you to the promise land!

With that said, it cannot be denied OBJ could be a better option than the likes of

Braxton Berrios, Robbie " Chosen" Anderson & Chase Claypool who combined for a

total of 39 receptions and 441 yds, while Beckham put up 35 receptions and 565yds with the Baltimore Raves this year. While OBJ isn't the elite, explosive player he once was, he can still garner some attention from opposing defenses when he is on the field and that could help take some of the attention off Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Will adding Odell Beckham Jr. be the missing piece for the Dolphins in their

quest to finally get over the hump to make it past the Wild-Card Playoff Round for the

first time this century?

The short answer is no. And there are reports already circulating indicating that

McDaniel is not willing to overpay in free agency. But! If OBJ was to sign with the

Dolphins, he absolutely could be a solid WR 3 option for Tua to look for when Tyreek

Hill and Jaylen Waddle are being smothered by opposing defenses, and he would likely outperform all three of their current alternate options. However, as intriguing as it is, If I'm Mike McDaniel, I am passing on the OBJ experiment and, instead, looking to the 2024 NFL Draft to improve my roster for my 2024 push to be the #1 seed in the AFC.

They will without a doubt have a tough road to reaching that goal going up against the likes of the reigning AFC #1 Seed in the Baltimore Ravens, who just signed future hall of fame running back Derrick Henry and the reigning, defending, back-to-back Superbowl Champions in the Kansas City Chiefs who always simply find a way to win in spite of the lack of talent surrounding Patrick Mahomes.

It is too soon to determine if the Dolphins have done enough this offseason to be

in contention for the #1 seed, but one thing is for certain, they don't need OBJ to reach that goal and should stick to the script of not wanting to overpay him. Only time will tell how this story plays out, but something tells me OBJ will end up in a different AFC contenders locker room come September as the Dolphins have other areas to address if they want to a shot at unseating the champs this year!

UPDATE: Mike McDaniel reported that they had made an offer to OBJ when questioned about whether the Dolphins would look to add the Wide Receiver.