The 2017-18 Miami Dolphin campaign did not begin nor end as planned. The team
started the season facing the grim reality of having to play an entire year without their
franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill. His absence was extended to 20 total games at
the end of the 2017-18 season, continuing the time clock of wonder and dismay
among the fan base. The team brought in seasoned vet Jay Cutler to fill these shoes,
having deep ties with head coach Adam Gase. An up-and-down year left the team with
a 6-7 record with a quarter of a season to play. This stance marked the chance for
contention for a playoff berth, but that plan was ultimately foiled thanks to a 3-game
losing streak. The end to the past season left a sour taste in the mouth of players and
fans.
The beginning to the off-season, free agent period, and contractual discussions would
also mark for the transfer and loss of some big-time playmakers. The team was still
struggling to the recover from the loss of playmaker Jay Ajayi when they moved the
every down back to Philly not even a quarter through the season. Ajayi would get a ring
and Miami would play running back roulette each week. The offensive talents continued
to jump ship as Jarvis Landry found a new home in Cleveland. The team and ownership
realized they would be up against a giant contract extension for Landry who would be
looking to be one of the highest paid wide receivers in the game. This pursuit mixed with
some additional instances ultimately led to the departure of a second playmaker.
Additions Via Trades and Free Agency
By losing out on Landry, the team was ultimately able to benefit the defense through the
extension of Cameron Wake's contract. Wake has been tenured within the team, played
for the organization his entire 10-year career, and was a veteran presence that would
be lethal to lose. The decision to keep Wake and free up some cap space helped bring
in an additional pass rusher to the squad. Robert Quinn was traded from the Rams to
the Dolphins midway through March 2018. Quinn has finished amongst lead leaders in
sacks, total pressures, and other such key defensive statistics in recent history. His
numbers give Cameron Wake a run for his money, making the combination of this duo a
nightmare for quarterbacks. Both players are also versatile, allowing for headaches from either side of the ball they line up on. Look for the defense to get creative with schemes
and sets as they look to be strong on the defensive side of the ball.
The offense looked to gain depth and experience. In the backfield, the team added long-
time Miami resident Frank Gore to their roster. Gore added the University of Miami
during his college days, so welcoming a return home is something that Gore really
looked forward to. While the back is on the tail-end of a strong career, he provides a
locker-room presence that cannot be duplicated or created. He provides a relief back
that can be slotted into the early downs, saving the 3rd downs for the speedier and
more agile talents. His experience also adds a sense of leadership and commitment
that the offense can lean on in time of need.
Making up for the loss of Landry is not quickly achieved or conquered, but the addition
of Danny Amendola makes a nice dent. Amendola was a Brady and Belichick
understudy, making his knowledge of the game and years of experience a valuable
asset. The primary concern surrounding Amendola, and all the wide receivers, is
defining their positioning. Landry was the team's deep threat and red zone go-to.
Amendola possesses deep threat capabilities, which is where he shinned bright early in
his career. In New England, he filled the slot receiver position, covering short
comebacks and less down-the-field plays. If he can reclaim his deep threat capabilities
of old, he will shine within this offense. The addition also carries a veteran presence,
which is a great voice and leadership for the young crop of Dolphin receivers to fall
under.
The 2018 NFL Draft
The draft also represented an opportunity for the Dolphins to shape up some of their
main position needs. With their first-round pick, the team drafted safety Minkah
Fitzpatrick out of Alabama. Fitzpatrick is a versatile talent that primarily filled the safety
spots during his college years. The team has the safety positions filled with top talents
in Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald, but the Fitzpatrick addition will allow for some
grueling training camp competition. This form of competition is good for the team
because it provides them options. This will allow the team to game plan for opposing
offenses, matching up coverage schemes to a more narrowed selection. Fitzpatrick can
also cover the corner position if asked and will never shy away from making his
presence known through his hard-hitting capabilities.
The team also went heavy on the linebacker position in the draft, an area that was
marked for needing improvement. Kiko Alonso was added last season, which was the
lone bright spot in the core of linebackers for the Dolphins. The problem with his
addition was the team's usage of their other players. They didn't possess a unique core
of players and were consistently switching combinations and player positions to try to
meet a mold that never took hold. Jerome Baker was drafted in the third round out of
Ohio State. He finished amongst the Big Ten leaders in defensive statistics at his
position, marking an important grab for the team. The Dolphins stole this talent, as he
was projected an early second-rounder in pre-draft rankings. Quentin Poling was a late-
draft pick up that could also make the squad, creating depth at a much-needed position.
On the offensive side of the ball, the team added big-bodied tight end Mike Gesicki out
of Penn State. Gesicki was a model of consistency on a Penn State squad that was a
major contender in the CFB world. He brings a reliable set of hands and blocking
consistency that Tannehill can lean on. He was added in the second round, termed a
reach by most draft analysts. Despite the critics, this was a position that team
desperately needed to fill. The team hasn't had a consistent talent slotted into this
position since Charles Clay, so it was a welcomed move by ownership and
management parties.
The conclusion of the draft marked for a success for the team. They backed their roster
with instant-impact players. They filled positional needs and did everything they needed
to create an added boost to their current roster of players. The Dolphins earned high
praise for their selections, finishing need the B+/A- range by most draft analysts and
experts.
Ryan Tannehill: Finishing the Road to
Recovery
One of the biggest questions that the team faces heading into this season is the health
of Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill had a grueling knee injury that has kept him from the game
for one and a half seasons. Filling this void has proven to be a difficult task for the team,
but the waiting period is coming to a fast close. Tannehill has spent much of his off-
season working to improve upon his pocket tendencies. His lateral movements have
been improved and have become a focal point of his game. He is working on trusting
the process, allowing blocks to develop, finding his footing within the pocket, and setting
himself in the correct center of gravity before making downfield throws. The rehab
period has come and gone, progressing his focus to areas he can improve upon rather
than getting back to the basics. He is leaning on the things he does well and works daily
with offensive coordinators to develop game plans that will carry the team through four
quarters of competition.
Breaking Down the 2018 Schedule
The AFC East proves to once again be a division favored heavily to be won by the New
England Patriots. Their roster didn't change too much, and they consistently receive
heavy levels of buzz surrounding their organization. The Bills and Jets are also heavy
favorites for media attention as they work through their quarterback carousels. This is
great news for a Dolphins team that is quietly building their momentum levels. Differing
attention to these squads allows the team to reduce distractions and prepare in peace.
The team sees the AFC South for in-conference competition and the NFC North for out-
of-conference competition, mixed in with a few other in-conference battles. This draw
sees the Dolphins schedule as a lighter load than year's past. Much of the AFC South
improved upon their play last year, but this year is a completely different storyline. The
Titans and Jaguars were both playoff contenders last year, but this competition is not
something the team is shying away from. The team also pulled the best division to play
against in the NFC, which bodes well for games against the Chicago Bears, Detroit
Lions, and Minnesota Vikings. Most of the teams slotted on the Dolphins schedule have
a lot of attention headed their way. They are being consistently talked about, hyped on,
and other such levels of build-up. The Dolphins can quietly approach their season and
build on the areas they lack prior to competition.
Contending within the AFC East should not be a problem for this team if they remain
healthy. Picking up a couple wins within the mentioned competitions would also bode
well for the 2018-19 squad. Early predictions have the team facing a 9-7 outcome,
eclipsing enough wins to secure a playoff spot this season.
Madden Rankings and Expert Noise
When it comes to critics of the team, there are few people in leadership roles placing
hope within this squad. The NFL experts have the team going 3-13. The players have
Cameron Wake ranked outside the top 70 of 100 playmakers in the league. Madden
experts have placed rankings on the team that are lower than the Cleveland Browns.
So, what gives? Opportunity gives. All of these put downs and dismantling of an NFL
squad often bode well for a team's success. Look at the Jaguars last year. Their
Madden rankings were paltry, experts had them finishing middle-of-the-road record-
wise, and the players didn't see any of their rostered players as a threat to their
success. They redefined this noise and found themselves succeeding in all of the
mentioned categories just a year removed. The same storyline is something the
Dolphins look to follow. They will build on their weak points and work to redefine the
odds that have been placed on their team.
Fantasy Impacts
When it comes to ranking fantasy talents for the team, there are a few players that could
pose as steals for potential drafters. Jakeem Grant had an impressive rookie showing
and his talents will be heavily leaned on within this season. Tannehill has a nice
surrounding of deep threats with Grant and Amendola, which are two wide receivers
you'll want to grab in the later rounds of your draft. Both players also fit swimmingly
within PPR formats as their levels of targets are slated to rise this season.
Mr. Reliable, Frank Gore is another player that is worthy of a roster position. Gore has
been featured heavily on each team he has played for and has never spent a long-term
stint on the injury list. This sense of reliability is something you can lean on in your later
rounds, as he provides a back that is going to get touches one way or the other. Those
3 to 4-yard pushes add up over the course of a contest, marking for a player you can
rely on to get his yards each game. He doesn't pose a sound option in PPR formats,
which is a piece that is still being played out for the team.
Tannehill will also make for a sneaky quarterback pick. With his deep threats, he is
going to hit his yardage on a consistent basis. These homerun balls could boost your
total score on a weekly basis, providing the points you need to outlast the competition in
a season-long, head-to-head format. Gisecki makes for a sneaky pickup at the tight end
position. The tight end position is one that historically lacks depth within fantasy football,
which is something that plays into your favor in this instance. Roster him and keep him
on your bench until you get a full view as to how the team is to utilize him. He makes for
a big red zone target, making him a good candidate for end zone targets each week.
