Miami Dolphins 2015 Season Preview

Miami Dolphins

2014 Record 8-8

2015 O/U: 9

Off Season Review:

The Miami Dolphins found themselves as the medias “winners of free agency” by handing Ndamukong Suh $114 million over six years. There is no doubt this is a big move that will keep the Dolphins relevant for years to come, and the 2015 Dolphins with Suh have created buzz. Suh will bring his 8.5 sacks and 46 tackles that he recorded in 2014 and will give opponents a problem in the middle. It isn’t all fun and games for the Dolphins as business had to be handled for them to acquire the game changer. In signing Suh the Dolphins had to part ways with defensive tackles Randy Starks and Jared Odrick. Suh may still give this team a slight edge but to not hold on to either will require a career rotational DT Earl Mitchell to step up. The team also swapped out Mike Wallace, Charles Clay, and Cortland Finnegan for Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron, and Brice McCain. I think these moves are mostly upgrades and if anything it helped the team get younger this off-season. There is little to dislike from this off-season in my opinion and the Dolphins, like the Bills are on the rise to get the Patriots.

Offensive Strengths:

The 2014 Dolphins were an above average offense, and really all they did was add to it. Ryan Tannehill is a rising quarterback, but the most efficient game of the Dolphins is the running attack. Quietly, Lamar Miller churned out 1100 yards with 5.1 yards per carry average. Miller may not have the size to be an every down back but he is effective and the Dolphins may have a 2014 steal in 5th round pick Jay Ajayi. Ajayi fell in the draft due to a medical concern in his hip. Everything that I read said that this was more of a down the road, how long is his career type question, so if he can be the second punch this year, then this run game will be excellent. Last year this team was the second most efficient rushing attack in 2014 and they bring back both tackles and Mike Pouncey, who missed 4 games last season but expects to be healthy. This efficiency has been able to give Ryan Tannehill time to continue to grow as a Quarterback. Tannehills’ statistics have risen every year and this is a huge year for the young QB after receiving a new contract.

Offensive Weakness:

By years end this could just be another strength, but in 2015 the Dolphins are relying on Tannehill to make strides because the depth in his passing game does have questions. Jarvis Landry had a big rookie season and became Tannehills’ go to as they both seem to like the same passing plays. Landry was able to average 7 catches for 69 yards in the games he started in his rookie campaign, and he is a target magnet. Landry is a slot receiver and Tannehill is leaps and bounds better within ten yards than throwing the ball over 20. That is where the depth chart gets interesting. While acquiring Kenny Stills the team lost Mike Wallace and while Stills may have better hands they are similar players. Having similar stats in 2014 is only the beginning; it also comes down to what their route tree is looking like. Stills does not have many go to routes and the deep ball, like Wallace is where he thrives. Tannehill has become an increasingly better passer from year to year but he is still working on a strong deep ball. He did improve from his 2013 of 33.3%, but with a 38.4% in 2014 it still isn’t cutting it. Greg Jennings is a veteran added because he is a better name than Brain Hartline and Brandon Gibson. To be honest he is, but I don’t think this is a guy who will contribute week in and week out. Devante Parker was drafted to be the future, but so far has spent his pre season on the PUP after off-season ankle surgery, and this is the most valuable time for any rookie and should be monitored all season. Parker has plenty of upside but right now I view him as the teams 4th option and would expect plenty of ups and downs this season. I am not blind and can see the bright side of this skill position core, but the group has a lot to learn, without even counting the tight end swap. I wouldn’t call Cameron a downgrade compared to Clay, but Clay does bring more in the versatility category. Cameron is a guy who can make big catches and has underrated athleticism and should be a safety blanket for Tannehill in their first year together. He had his ups and downs in Cleveland, albeit with a worse QB every snap, but it is still something to monitor, as I don’t believe it is a drastic improvement for Miami. Jennings aside, the average age of the skill players is 23 and I think they can certainly grow together. Soon we could see a top tier skill position group, but when looking at 2015 in a vacuum, there are some questions. If everyone can answer their questions we are looking at a top tier offense.

Defensive strengths:

The teams’ clear strength is its defensive front. Suh is a player who can change the way you game plan no matter whom else you bring to the table. However, he could make this crew elite due to what is coming off the ends. Between Cameron Wake, Oliver Vernon, and Derrick Shelby the trio was able to produce 21 of the teams 39 sacks this season, with Wake as the main producer with 11.5. They have the ends, and can say they added some power in the middle as Suh did out produce Starks and Odrick by 3 sacks last season. Suh should also help in a major way with a run defense that was 18th in efficiency according to football outsiders. The Lions were number one against the run, and he is a major reason as to why. Suh recorded 21 tackles for loss last year, which ranks him third in the league. The Dolphins team leader in TFL was Vernon with 9. Suh also brings his back up and running mate CJ Mosley as a depth DT, which should at the least beef up the middle. Behind that front the Dolphins may have found themselves a stud in Jelani Jenkins who may carry a line backing crew, and they have a strong safety in Reshad Jones, but the rest of the defense may need some work.

Defensive Weaknesses:

The team doesn’t appear to have much strong line backer depth. Jenkins, a former fourth rounder appears to be a gift as the team may just be looking for players to line up next to him in the group. Guys like Koa Misi and Spencer Paysinger are depth names but it is clear Jenkins will have to be carrying the load. The secondary depth doesn’t bring much to smile about either. Louis Delmas should be able to be a veteran center fielder next to Jones who plays most of his game in the box, but Delmas may be doing a lot of running because I do not necessarily trust the Dolphins secondary. Brent Grimes is supposed to be the leader of the crew, but he did not have a strong 2014 showing and at age 32 I am not betting on him to have a better 2015. Will Davis and Brice McCain will the be the next two in line and that doesn’t bring much hope as far as a lock down on the team. Davis has never started a game and McCain is much better as a team’s 3rd or 4th corner off the bench and at 5’9” he is easier to match up against. There are some interesting pieces in which the fins are trying to build but this is a unit that will need work and I expect the team will be relying on that pass rush to really put the pressure on teams.

Where do they rank and O/U 9?

The Dolphins have a few weaknesses, more defensive than offensive, but another weakness in which I see on this team is their head coach Joe Philbin. I just don’t think he is competent enough to win big games and I was astonished by some of his game management moves. A week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers comes to mind when thinking of some of his biggest blunders. I think he is holding this team back and I do think this could be his last season with the Dolphins. When looking at the schedule it is easy to see an 8-8 team with improvement being able to find themselves 9 wins. However, when looking for them to find 10 I think the schedule is tough enough to hold them back. I see them at 9-7 and would lean to the under due to the coaching, but I don’t have a strong play. If Tannehill can make strides this team can win 10 games and potentially the division, but I am not betting on Philbin to make the step forward this season. The Dolphins are a team I would follow and look forward to their 2016 campaign but this is a team I need to see before I believe as division contenders.

Parkers Pick: 2nd in the AFC East, no play

Logans Pick: 2nd in the AFC East, no play