Setting expectations high for Dolphins

Let us set the bar a tad higher than where it has been the past decade for South Florida’s beloved NFL franchise.

We’ve seen too many losing Miami Dolphins teams since 2000. As a result, most of us have become numb to mediocrity, and the bar of expectations has been set pretty low.

Here are 20 expectations we should have for the 2020 Dolphins season:

1. Coach Brian Flores finally has talent. Now let us raise the bar a little bit and expect him to lead Miami to a winning record.

It’s time to develop new standards, and from this point any season that doesn’t deliver a winning record is a disappointment. No excuses, considering owner Steve Ross pumped nearly $250 million into the second phase of this rebuild cycle this offseason, which is his fourth rebuild as team owner.

2. Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to begin the season as the team’s starter and deliver a winning record for the second time in his lengthy NFL career. I have respect and admiration for Fitzpatrick, but I can’t help but notice that his arm strength fades at times. Expecting him to start 16 games at his age might be a fantasy.

3. The minute the Dolphins are out of playoff contention, Tua Tagovailoa needs to be handed the reigns of this team. I don’t want him starting NFL games until late November, when it has been a full year since his hip surgery. But if he outshines Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen at any point before November, and it’s clear and obvious he presents Miami the best chance to win games, then get the rookie on the field.

4. The Dolphins need to find a quarterback-thirsty team and trade Josh Rosen there before the

trade deadline arrives. Rosen has talent, and there’s still a market for the former first-round pick, who has looked good early. Miami needs to seize on that when quarterbacks start going down, or testing positive for COVID-19. Miami should pull the trigger on any deal that produces a fourth-round pick or better.

5. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy needs to be the man of mystery, roaming around the field in unidentifiable roles before the ball is snapped, creating a guessing game for opposing quarterbacks and the offensive line.

Is Van Noy a rusher? An edge-setter? Is he dropping back in coverage? Make them guess. His presence needs to allow the Dolphins to disguise the defense’s intentions before every snap.

6. Jerome Baker needs to take the next step forward and make more of an impact. Baker, who led the Dolphins with 126 tackles last season, was a phenomenal blitzer during training camp last year, timing things brilliantly. But when the season arrived, that skill set disappeared. If he can find it again and use it on game days, Baker could lead this team in sacks.

7. Raekwon McMillan needs to round out his game and not be a liability in pass coverage, as he’s been the past two seasons. McMillan needs to diversify his game to the point opposing offensive coordinators aren’t going after him.

8. The Dolphins’ offensive line needs to feature three rookies who have started at least eight games in 2020. Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley and Robert Hunt don’t necessarily have to begin the season as starters, but it would be ideal for them to cut their teeth early in this novel coronavirus season because they are the future.

Miami needs to take the same approach with these rookie that they had last year with Michael Deiter, throwing them into the deep end to see if they sink or swim. Deiter sank, which explains his move to center.

As former Dolphins executive Bill Parcells once infamously said about young players, “If he doesn’t bite as a puppy, he won’t bite.”

9. It would be nice to see Jakeem Grant become the type of dangerous downfield player his speed indicates he has a chance of becoming. If Grant could fill Kenny Stills’ old role, stretching the field, it would create opportunities for everyone else. Problem is he annually comes down with a bout of the dropsies, which showed up on Tuesday.

10. Let’s not get greedy with DeVante Parker expectations. Having him stay healthy for 13 of 16 games (being realistic here) and repeating last season’s production (1,202 and nine touchdowns on 72 receptions) will do just fine.

11. Mike Gesicki has to take his game to the next level, becoming a well-rounded tight end, shedding his one-dimensional reputation. That journey starts with him becoming a respectable blocker. Nobody is asking Gesicki to maul people. Just hold your position and create separation from defenders.

12. Fourteen NFL teams rushed for 1,800 or more yards last season, and hopefully Jordan Howard and Matt Breida can turn the Dolphins into a physical team by putting up those types of rushing numbers.

13. Miami needs Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson to not just set the edge of the defense effectively, but it would be ideal for the pair of newcomers to collectively produce 15 sacks. That’s higher than their career average per season, but it doesn’t exceed what their skill sets indicate they can achieve.

14. Miami needs Byron Jones and Xavien Howard to play this season like they are the highest-paid cornerback duo in the NFL, which they are. Jones needs to not just deliver tight coverage, but produce some turnovers.

15. Raekwon Davis might be the most physically blessed defensive linemen the Dolphins have. The second-round pick needs to push for playing time, if not a starting spot. His physical prowess indicates he could be an impactful nose tackle, routinely collapsing the pocket and disturbing passing lanes. Seeing Davis throw offensive linemen around on Tuesday during one-on-one drills was eye-opening. Can it be consistent, or is he the second coming of Jordan Phillips?

16. The Dolphins need Davon Godchaux and Christian Wilkins to double their sack and pressure production from last season. What both contributed last year was not nearly enough (two sacks each).

17. Miami needs at least one unheralded youngster to surprise the team, coming out of nowhere to earn a starting spot or prominent role the way Preston Williams and Nik Needham did last season.

18. With Vince Biegel likely lost for the season, Andrew Van Ginkel must master his expected role as a pass-rushing specialist and be a disruptive player on third down, contributing around five sacks this season. Biegel suffered a serious leg injury during Tuesday’s practice.

19. It would be ideal for kicker Jason Sanders and punter Matt Haack to have career seasons. Both specialists have been decent during their brief NFL careers, but need to turn up the volume on their contributions.

20. General manager Chris Grier needs to turn over every rock and pick up every decent player another NFL team tries to sneak onto their practice squad. While Miami underwent a massive makeover this offseason, the Dolphins’ roster isn’t close to where it needs to be for this franchise to become a contender. That’s why continuing to poaching decent players from winning teams could be beneficial.

Omar Kelly