10-step approach to turn Dolphins into contenders

To quote the legendary rapper Rakim’s opening line in his 1987 hit song Paid In Full, I’ve been “thinking of a master plan” all offseason.

The goal is to transform last year’s 10-6 Miami Dolphins into one of the final eight teams competing in the postseason.

All it would take is the right moves to improve Miami’s offense, and to tighten the screws on the defense.

Here’s my vision for the 2021 Dolphins:

1. Trade for Deshaun Watson

The Dolphins should prepare themselves for a bidding war for Watson’s services, especially if the New York Jets are involved. Last thing Miami can afford is to spend the next decade in the AFC East with the third- or fourth-best quarterback in the division.

Watson is on a Hall of Fame trajectory, and as long as he remains relatively healthy, and a team puts the right pieces around him, there’s little doubt he’ll remain one of the NFL’s top-25 talents for the next decade. Miami has spent the past two decades searching for a quarterback like this. Well, here’s your chance. Seize the opportunity, if presented, even if a Watson trade costs the equivalent of four first-round picks.

2. Get Tua to settle in

There’s no shame in continuing to build this run-pass-option-based offense around Tua Tagovailoa if a Watson deal can’t be done. Tagovailoa should show significant improvement in Year 2 as a byproduct of having a regular NFL offseason, and his focus should be on developing better chemistry with his playmakers.

ADRIAN KRAUS/AP Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passes in the first half against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 3 in Orchard Park, N.Y.