Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
A starting point for Dolphins roster
Identifying where team stands at each position
The Miami Dolphins were a major disappointment in 2017 and this offseason will likely be spent trying to make sure 2018 doesn’t produce another dismal season.
That’s why the Dolphins’ trifecta of power — vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Adam Gase — will spend the next eight months remaking a roster that skidded to a 6-10 record behind an inconsistent running game, leaky offensive and defensive lines, and a number of defenders who struggled in pass coverage.
Here’s a look at the starting point for Miami’s depth chart heading into free agency and the NFL draft:
Quarterbacks (2) — Ryan Tannehill (starter) and Brandon Doughty (Jay Cutler, Matt Moore and David Fales are free agents)
Tannehill has a 37-40 record in his five seasons as Miami’s starter. He turns 30 in July and is coming off a serious knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2017 season. Finding a quality backup is critical for the Dolphins, especially if Moore, who is 33, isn’t re-signed. It would be ideal for Gase to find a young quarterback he’d like to develop for the future.
Tailbacks (4) — Kenyan Drake (starter), Senorise Perry, De’Veon Smith and Brandon Radcliff (Free agent: Damien Williams)
After becoming Miami’s featured tailback in Week 13, Drake led the NFL in rushing yards, churning out 444 in the final five games of the regular season. He’s a young, promising talent who could develop into a star. But Drake hasn’t proven he can
handle a 300-carry workload over the course of a full season, so it would be wise for the Dolphins to add a complimentary back, especially if Williams isn’t re-signed. Tight ends (4) — Julius Thomas (starter), MarQueis Gray, A.J. Derby and Thomas Duarte (Free agent: Anthony Fasano)
The Dolphins can create an additional $6.6 million in cap space this offseason by releasing Thomas, who had a disappointing season (41 receptions for 388 yards and three touchdowns) before being placed on injured reserve late in the year. If Miami waives the seven-year veteran, they would need to add a frontline tight end, or get serious about developing Derby and Gray. Offensive line (10) — Tackles: Laremy Tunsil, Ja’Wuan James, Zach Sterup and Eric Smith; Guards/Centers: Mike Pouncey, Jesse Davis, Ted Larsen, Jake Brendel, Isaac Asiata and Sean Hickey (Free Agents: Jermon Bushrod, Anthony Steen and Sam Young)
Miami’s offensive line struggled for most of the season before getting into a groove in the final month courtesy of Davis’ emergence, and Young’s solid play at right tackle. However, this unit needs to upgrade at least one starting spot, especially if Miami decides not to honor the fifth-year option of James’ contract, which is slated to pay the former first-round pick $9.3 million in 2018. Releasing James before March would make him an unrestricted free agent, but it’d create another void on the offensive line. Receivers (9) — Kenny Stills (starter), DeVante Parker (starter), Jakeem Grant, Leonte Carroo, Rashawn Scott, Isaiah Ford, Drew Morgan, Malcolm Lewis and Francis Owusu (Free agent: Jarvis Landry)
Miami’s receivers weren’t nearly as impactful this past season as coaches hoped they would be, and Parker’s ankle injury played a major role in that unit’s struggles. Landry, who led the NFL in receptions (112) and scored a career-high nine touchdowns, is slated to become a free agent, and it won’t be cheap to bring him back. The Dolphins must decide if they’ll give the former second-round pick a multiyear deal that pays him like he’s a top-10 receiver ($12 million-$15 million a year), or place the franchise or transition tag on him. Defensive linemen (10) — Defensive ends: Cameron Wake, Andre Branch, Charles Harris, Cameron Malveaux, Jonathan Woodard; Defensive tackles: Ndamukong Suh, Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux, Vincent Taylor, Gabe Wright (Free agents: William Hayes and Terrence Fede)
This group eats up more cap space ($50.4 million) than any other unit on the team, but the production doesn’t match their collective paychecks. The Dolphins finished second-tolast when it came to sack production (30) and Miami’s opponents averaged 110.5 rushing yards a game, which was slightly higher than the NFL average. If Hayes isn’t re-signed, the Dolphins need to find another edge-setting defensive end, and Phillips’ impending free agency may force Miami to start grooming a replacement. Linebackers (5) — Kiko Alonso (starter), Lawrence Timmons (starter), Chase Allen (starter), Raekwon McMillan and Stephone Anthony (Free agents: Koa Misi, Mike Hull, Neville Hewitt and Lamin Barrow)
This unit remains an area of concern because of its struggles in pass coverage, particularly against quick tailbacks and tight ends. Timmons, who was signed to a two-year, $12 million deal as a free agent last offseason, didn’t live up to expectations, and could be released this spring to create an additional $5.47 million in cap space. But if that’s the route Miami chooses to go, they need McMillian, a 2017 secondround pick who missed his entire rookie year with a knee injury, and Anthony, a 2015 first-round pick for whom the team traded a 2018 fifth-round pick to New Orleans, to be ready to step up, because Miami needs — and doesn’t currently Secondary (11) — Cornerbacks: Xavien Howard (starter), Cordrea Tankersley (starter), Bobby McCain, Tony Lippett, Torry McTyer, Tracy Howard and Taveze Calhoun; Safeties: Reshad Jones (starter), T.J. McDonald (starter), Maurice Smith and Trae Elston (Free agents: Nate Allen, Alterraun Verner, Michael Thomas, Walt Aikens and Jordan Lucas)
Howard, Tankersley, McCain and Lippett still have upside, but none of these youngsters have proven that they are upperechelon talents that can be lock-down cornerbacks in the NFL. Jones and McDonald are both physical forces, but their skills overlap, which could be troublesome for the safety position. The lack of depth in the secondary could water down Miami’s special teams unit, especially if Thomas and Aikens aren’t re-signed. Specialists (1) — P Matt Haack (Free agents: K Cody Parkey and LS John Denney)
Parkey tied the Dolphins record for best field-goal percentage in a season, making 21 of 23 (91.3 pct.). He’ll either be given an original-round tender worth $1.8 million or offered a multiyear deal in free agency. Haack, who averaged 40.5 net yards per punt, which tied for 15th-best in the NFL, had a respectable rookie season, and should improve in 2018. Re-signing Denney for the veteran minimum is a safe option, but don’t be surprised if the Dolphins try to find a cheaper long snapper.