MIAMI — It is comically realistic that the Miami Dolphins — a franchise trying to keep its head above irrelevance in a stacked AFC — has identified offensive guard as its biggest need this NFL offseason.

It should, no doubt. A better offensive line is much-needed and guard is the greatest vulnerability. The Super Bowl champion Eagles just showed us how important great blocking is, and Miami’s need is accentuated by having a quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa who is made of porcelain and must be protected like an heirloom vase sitting high on a narrow shelf.

There are so many broader, macro issues with this team, though, that talking about the guard position is a little like a discussion of a famous rock band starting with the roadie crew.

Tagovailoa himself is to make $50 million guaranteed this coming season, is on a four-year, $212 million extension — and, six years in, still must prove with health and productivity that he is worth the enormous commitment and keys to the future.

Receiver Tyreek Hill, whose “I’m out bro,” is the quote best representing Miami’s disappointing 8-9 season, turns 31 on March 1 and is coming off a disappointing season and also one calling into question the strength of the Fins’ team culture. Might Miami trade Hill this year? It would not shock.

Coach Mike McDaniel’s job security entering his fourth season also is in some doubt, if you have paid any attention to owner Stephen Ross’ track record. Ross entering his 17th season as majority owner has plowed through six coaches to get to McDaniel, who had never head-coached before. Tony Sparano, Joe Philbin and Adam Gase all thought they were on solid ground before being fired. Brian Flores unraveled fast, too. Ross turns 85 in May. You imagine he’s in a patient mood? And defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is head coach-ready on Miami’s staff.

General manager Chris Grier also should consider himself on the proverbial hot seat entering his 10th season as GM with three playoff appearances and zero postseason wins. Grier is one of only three NFL GMs unavailable to the media at this week’s Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, leaving McDaniel alone to rep a team in flux and losing ground in the AFC.

As Miami faces a crucial offseason portending big change, the Dolphins in the conference are looking up at the pedigreed Chiefs, the nemesis Bills, the mighty Ravens and four other teams that made the playoffs in the Steelers, Texans, Chargers and Broncos. And that’s not even counting the Bengals with Joe Burrow.

Until its proves otherwise, Miami sits mediocre at ninth-best in the 16-team AFC — not terrible, surely not the dregs ... but not a contender.

McDaniel and Grier had better be in job-saving mode and pray Tagovailoa is poised to prove himself elite, as his ‘23 Pro Bowl season hinted.

Meantime the minutia of an NFL offseason grinds on.

Like focusing on offensive guard.

The Dolphins as of Wednesday ranked 23rd in cap space with only $5.23 million freed up. That isn’t much.

In an ideal world I’d be harping on Miami going after coveted free agent guard Trey Smith of the Chiefs when March 10-12 kicks off the F.A. signing period.

That might not presently be possible, but that cap-space number could change and grow significantly based on events.

Examples: Veteran tackle Terron Armstead might retire or be let go. There is speculation edge rusher Bradley Chubb, with an injury history, could be traded or let go as well. (The team already has cut a few veterans led by running back Raheem Mostert.)

McDaniel at the Combine was business-like on Armstead, saying, “I think with Terron reflecting his ability and all that, he’s not totally ready to make that decision. As a result, I think we have to operate [approaching free agency and the draft] as though he won’t play – just because you have to prepare for things.”

Cap space also will grow as Miami naturally loses many of its own 26 free agents. The F.A.’s the Fins should most want to keep are safety Jevon Holland and guard Robert Jones.

More business-first from McDaniel: “I think Jevón has earned the right to go out and test his market, and that’s something that I don’t look at as a negative because what I don’t want is players being here and wishing they were somewhere else. We feel good about his ability to test his market, and if business works out appropriately, his ability to be back here.”

Grier, with a bad track record of building a great offensive line, targets that area as a priority again.

If Trey Smith is too pricey in free agency as expected, there are five other guards and six other offensive linemen on ESPN’s list of top 50 free agents, so it’s an offseason of opportunity there.

The April 24-26 Draft in Green Bay will find South Florida focused on whether Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward becomes only the third Cane chosen No. 1 overall, after QB Vinny Testaverde in 1987 and defensive tackle Russell Maryland in ‘91.

But the Dolphins picking 13th overall (barring a trade down) will find a draft rich in O-linemen. Guard possibilities include Kelvin Banks Jr. of Texas, Missouri’s Armand Membou or Alabama’s Tyler Booker. If Holland leaves in free agency, maybe Georgia safety Malaki Starks?

Dolphins also need an upgrade behind Tagovailoa, either a trade for a veteran better than Tyler Huntley or drafting a prospect to groom.

Looming over it all is the possibility that 2025 could be Grier’s last draft and also McDaniel’s last chance as a critical spring and summer leads to a season that may require a playoff win at last to prevent massive change.

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