Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Better today than in 2015?
Position-by-position analysis of where team stands in wake of draft
The Dolphins, who seemed to enter the last week’s NFL draft needing help primarily on defense, left the draft with six offensive players and two defensive players. But one of those draftees was Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, a high-quality, can’t-miss prospect who should make the offensive line better.
The question, however, is whether the Miami Dolphins — before minicamp, training camp, and preseason games — are a better team now than they were during the finale of the 6-10 season of 2015.
The Dolphins lost lots of productive players from last year’s team, among them cornerback Brent Grimes (Tampa Bay), running back Lamar Miller (Houston), defensive end Olivier Vernon (New York
Giants), defensive end/tackle Derrick Shelby (Atlanta) and wide receiver Rishard Matthews (Tennessee).
Here’s a position-by-position look at the 2016 Dolphins:
Quarterback: It’s tough to project improvement based on a four-year body of work from Ryan Tannehill (29-35 career record). It’s unclear whether he’ll be much better than his 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 88.7 passer rating of 2015. With the addition of Tunsil, he should have a better offensive line, which could cut down on the 45 sacks he absorbed last season. But Tannehill still hasn’t showed he can make players around him better. Verdict: Same as 2015.
Running back: There’s been a dip in talent. Right now it appears a two-headed approach between Jay
Ajayi (49 carries, 187 yards, one touchdown) and thirdround pick Kenyan Drake from Alabama will handle the job. Ajayi was OK in his injury-shortened rookie season and Drake has the shiftiness that reminds of the departed Miller. But it’s tough to say the Dolphins have upgraded until we see Ajayi and Drake on the field. Verdict: Worse than 2015.
Wide receivers: Jarvis Landry (110 receptions, 1,157 yards, four touchdowns) is the only proven playmaker. DeVante Parker (26 receptions, 494 yards, three touchdowns) was tantalizing in his six-game, injury-shortened rookie season and should be better, but Kenny Stills (27 receptions, 440 yards, three touchdowns) was only so-so. Losing Rishard Matthews could hurt. Leonte Carroo, the secondround pick from Rutgers, could help. Verdict: Better than 2015.
Tight ends: These guys need to make a bigger contribution in 2016. Jordan Cameron (35 receptions, 386 yards, three touchdowns) returns along with Dion Sims, who posted 18 receptions for 127 yards and one touchdowns after having his season shortened by a concussion. Jake Stoneburner (five receptions, 47 yards, two touchdowns) also returns, but this crew isn’t impressive on paper. Perhaps coach Adam Gase’s new offense helps. Verdict: Same as 2015.
Offensive line: Here’s where the huge improvement should come. Drafting Tunsil was huge. He’ll play alongside Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert, and right tackle Ja’Wuan James in some form. Perhaps Tunsil plays guard. The Dolphins also acquired veteran guard/ tackle Jermon Bushrod (Chicago) and veteran backup tackle Sam Young (Jacksonville). They’ll
combine with returning guards Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner and guard/ center Jamil Douglas to form perhaps the strongest unit on the team.
Verdict: Better than 2015.
Defensive line: This was the most disappointing unit from last season. All-Pro tackle Ndamukong Suh (61 tackles, six sacks) is a rock. If Pro Bowl end Cameron Wake (seven sacks in an injury-shortened season) can recover from an Achilles injury, and fellow end Mario Williams (five sacks in Buffalo last season) can re-gain his Pro Bowl form of previous years, things shape up nicely. Tackles Earl Mitchell and Jordan Phillips need to improve, and ends Terrence Fede and Andre Branch need to be playmakers. Verdict: Same as 2015.
Linebacker: It’s a fairly unimpressive group of returnees, which makes projecting improvement tough. Outside linebackers Koa Misi (78 tackles) and Jelani Jenkins (71 tackles) are back along with Kiko Alonso (acquired in a trade with Philadelphia), but it’s unclear whether Alonso will revert to form from his dazzling rookie season of 2013 with Buffalo (159 tackles). Behind them are veteran Spencer Paysinger and youngsters including Zach Vigil, Neville Hewitt and Mike Hull. It’s a shaky group that has to make a big leap in run-stopping and pass coverage. Verdict: Same as 2015.
Defensive backs: This crew needs to have some unexpected big performances. Pro Bowl strong safety Reshad Jones (135 tackles, five interceptions, two touchdowns) is the shining star. Byron Maxwell (64 tackles, two interceptions), acquired in a trade with Philadelphia, is being counted on as the No. 1 cornerback. Rookie cornerback Xavien Howard, the second-round pick from Baylor, needs to be an impact player immediately. Free safety Isa AbdulQuddus (Detroit) should be OK. At nickel, cornerback Bobby McCain is being eyed early, but look for safety Michael Thomas to perhaps get a look. As for depth, things are uncertain. This is a big question mark heading into the 2016 season.
Verdict: Worse than 2015.