Performance review, status for offense
As always, the Dolphins will have to prioritize their needs
The Miami Dolphins’ offense was a disappointment this past season, averaging 17.6 points per game, 28th in the NFL, and 307.7 yards per game, 25th in the league.
Help should be on the way, with starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill returning from a knee injury that force him to miss the entire 2017 season. But more is needed on every offensive unit.
The Dolphins need to find a running back to pair with Kenyan Drake in the two-back system coach Adam Gase wants to run.
The Dolphins could also use a seam-running tight end, a young backup quarterback to groom for the future, quality depth at wide receiver and, considering where their finances lead them, perhaps a new starting right tackle.
As is the case every year, Miami must prioritize its needs.
Here’s a look at how the Dolphins’ offensive players performed last season:
Quarterbacks
Jay Cutler: The 34-year-old seems likely to head to retirement, again. Whatever happens, he also seems unlikely to be on the Dolphins’ roster next year, with Tannehill returning. Cutler was 6-8 as a starter and had 19 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and an 80.8 passer rating. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Matt Moore: He was 0-2 as a starter, in perhaps the two toughest road games of the year (Baltimore and New England). Moore had four TDs, five INTs and a 75.6 passer rating. It’s obvious he’s not regarded by the Dolphins as a starter and might not return. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
David Fales: His only significant action was in the finale. He finished the season with one TD, one INT and an 82.0 passer rating. His return likely depends on whether the Dolphins regard him as a viable backup and future starter. Contract status: Restricted free agent
Running backs
Kenyan Drake: He was productive after the trade of Jay Ajayi and injury to Damien Williams made Drake the lone No. 1 option late in the season. He ended with 644 yards rushing and three TDs and 239 yards receiving, and one TD and 147 kickoff-return yards. He’s the best big-play threat on the team and ideally will share backfield duties in a two-back system next season. Contract status: Signed through 2019
Damien Williams: A core special teams player and third-down specialist, a shoulder injury limited his effectiveness after he became co-No. 1 running back. He finished with 181 yards rushing and 155 yards receiving and one TD. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Senorise Perry: Largely played on special teams (nine tackles) but made a small contribution from scrimmage, ending with eight carries for 30 yards and one reception for 1 yard. Perry went undrafted out of Louisville in 2014, signed with Chicago and signed with Miami last season. Contract status: Signed through 2018
De’Veon Smith: He signed with Miami as an undrafted rookie in 2017 and spent most of the season on the practice squad. Smith saw late-season action and ended with three receptions for 27 yards. Contract status: Exclusive rights free agent
Wide receivers
Kenny Stills: He had a productive season with 58 receptions for 847 yards and six TDs. Each category was second-best of his career. Stills started all 16 games despite hand and back injuries, and dad career-best 14 receptions of 20 or more yards; his four fumbles were career worst. Contract status: Signed through 2020
Jarvis Landry: He led NFL in receptions (112), which was also a franchise record. Had 987 yards receiving and career-best nine TDs, and earned his third trip to the Pro Bowl. Curiously, had career-low 8.8 yards per reception and six receptions of 20 or more yards tied rookie season for career low. His three fumbles were a career worst. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
DeVante Parker: It was a disappointing season for Parker, who finished with 57 receptions for 670 yards and one TD. Hamstring and ankle injuries were the main reasons for his struggles. Beyond that, however, Parker rarely flashed the catch-anything-close quality he showed in his previous two seasons. Contract status: Signed through 2018, team option in 2019
Jakeem Grant: His biggest accomplishment was becoming a late-season option from scrimmage. He finished with 13 receptions for 203 yards and two TDs, as well as three carries for 12 yards. Another huge accomplishment was having steady hands on returns. He averaged 22.8 yards per kickoff return (seventh in NFL) and 7.6 yards per punt return (17th
in NFL). Contract status: Signed through 2019
Leonte Carroo: He had seven receptions for 69 yards in a somewhat disappointing season. Carroo made a special teams contribution but didn’t take advantage of his opportunities. Carroo, the 2016 third-round pick, must find a way to become a bigger factor. Contract status: Signed through 2019
Tight ends
Anthony Fasano: Mostly a blocking tight end, he finished with 12 receptions for 107 yards and one TD. Now 33, said after the season he’s contemplating retirement. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
MarQueis Gray: He had one reception for 10 yards and five carries for 14 yards as he proved to be a versatile weapon late in the season. Speaking of versatility, Gray was also 0-1 passing. He’s likely to be part of the future. Contract status: Signed through 2018
A.J. Derby: He saw action late in the season and totaled two receptions for 20 yards after being claimed on waivers from Denver in late November. Contract status: Signed through 2018
Thomas Duarte: The 2016 seventh-round pick hasn’t seen much action in his two seasons with Miami and was active for just one game this season, the finale. Contract status: Signed through 2019
Offensive line
Laremy Tunsil: He started 15 games and it was an up-and-down year for the 2016 first-round pick. He spent his first season at left tackle after mostly playing left guard as a rookie, and many times it showed when he faced topnotch pass rushers. Contract status: Signed through 2019, team option in 2020
Ted Larsen: He started the season on injured reserve with to a biceps injury. Larsen started final eight games at left guard after missing the first eight. He provided veteran stability and should be a starter from Day 1 next season. Contract status: Signed through 2019
Mike Pouncey: He was able to start all 16 games at center largely due to a maintenance program for his ailing hip that included cutting down on practice time. Pouncey, by all accounts, was Miami’s best offensive lineman for the second half of the season. He’s probable to return because of his large salary next season. Contract status: Signed through 2020
Jesse Davis: He made 10 starts at right guard and did very well. In fact, he showed promise at both guard and tackle. His size (6-6, 321) suggests he’s a better physical fit for offensive tackle, but he showed he can do either job. Contract status: Signed through 2018
Sam Young: He started six games at right tackle and played in 10 after being inactive early in the season. The St. Thomas Aquinas alum has proved a capable backup who can fill in as a starter the past two seasons. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Jake Brendel: The secondyear backup guard/center has showed enough to stick around but hasn’t yet had an extended playing opportunity. Contract status: Exclusive rights free agent
Zach Sterup: Made a start at left tackle in the finale and struggled at times. His size (6-9, 318) is ideal for an offensive tackle. He was a first-year player and needs more experience. Contract status: Signed through 2018
Isaac Asiata: Miami had an opening at left guard, but Asiata, a rookie fifth-round pick last year, wasn’t ready. He was only active for the finale, as this was basically a redshirt season for him. Contract status: Signed through 2020
Eric Smith: The undrafted rookie tackle from Virginia was active for the finale but didn’t see action from scrimmage. He spent much of the season battling a knee injury. Contract status: Signed through 2019
Injured reserve
Ryan Tannehill: The veteran quarterback sustained a seasonending knee injury in training camp. He’s on target for a full recovery, according to the Dolphins. Contract status: Signed through 2020
Anthony Steen: Started at left guard early in the season but was eventually sidelined a by a foot injury. His versatility (also plays center) is a bonus. Contract status: Exclusive rights free agent
Julius Thomas: Started 12 games at tight end and ended the year on injured reserve due to a foot injury. Numbers weren’t bad — 41 receptions for 388 yards, three TDs — but he was a disappointment based on what the Dolphins thought he would bring to the offense. Doubtful to return at $6.6 million. Contract status: Signed through 2018
Isaiah Ford: The rookie seventh-round pick seemed a bit behind the other wide receivers even before a knee injury during offseason workouts. Contract status: Signed through 2020
Rashawn Scott: The former University of Miami wide receiver battled a foot injury all season and appeared in one game. Contract status: Signed through 2019
Jermon Bushrod: The veteran right guard completed his 11th season by making 10 starts before being sidelined by a foot injury. Doubtful to return. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Ja’Wuan James: The 2014 first-round pick made eight starts at right tackle before being sidelined by a foot injury. His $9.3 million salary next season is a lot to digest. Contract status: Signed through 2018
Free agency terms: Unrestricted free agent — Four or more years of accrued service (at least six games on active roster) and expiring contract; Restricted free agent — Three years of accrued service and expiring contract; Exclusive rights free agent — Two or fewer years of accrued service and expiring contract