Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Miami Dolphins
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Miami Dolphins
| 2015 Record | 2015 Finish |
|---|---|
| 6-10 | 4th in AFC East |
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Adam Gase
Offensive Coordinator: Clyde Christensen
Defensive Coordinator: Kacy Rogers
Key Additions
- RB Arian Foster
- OL Laremy Tunsil (1st round)
- S Isa Abdul-Quddus
- CB Xavien Howard (2nd round)
- DE Andre Branch
- CB Chris Culliver
- RB Kenyan Drake (3rd round)
- G Jermon Bushrod
Key Departures
- DE Olivier Vernon
- RB Lamar Miller
- CB Brent Grimes
- DE Derrick Shelby
- WR Rishard Matthews
- RB Daniel Thomas
Preseason Power Ranking - No. 28
The Dolphins have all the makings of a disaster, especially the defense. Kiko Alonso is made of glass, Mario Williams seemed half asleep in 2015, Byron Maxwell isn't capable of being a No. 1 cornerback, and Cameron Wake is coming off an Achilles injury. More ...
Projected Starting Lineup
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| WR | Kenny Stills |
| WR | Jarvis Landry |
| WR | DeVante Parker |
| LT | Branden Albert |
| LG | Laremy Tunsil |
| C | Mike Pouncey |
| RG | Billy Turner |
| RT | Ja'Wuan Turner |
| TE | Jordan Cameron |
| QB | Ryan Tannehill |
| RB | Jay Ajayi |
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| DE | Cameron Wake |
| DT | Nkamukong Suh |
| DT | Earl Mitchell |
| DE | Mario Williams |
| OLB | Koa Misi |
| ILB | Kiko Alonso |
| OLB | Jelani Jenkins |
| CB | Byron Maxwell |
| SS | Reshad Jones |
| FS | Isa Abdul-Quddus |
| CB | Tony Lippett |
Questions to Answer
- Can Gase get Tannehill back on track?
- Who will be the team's featured back, Ajayi or Foster?
- Will incoming defensive veterans like Alonso, Williams, and Maxwell rejuvenate their careers?
Best-case Scenario
Gase reworks the offense into a competent unit, with Tannehill making a solid leap forward and the ground game emerging thanks to the formidable duo of Ajayi and Foster. The defense isn't without its issues, especially in the secondary, but the Dolphins' risks took pan out. Alonso stays healthy, Williams has a Pro Bowl-caliber season left in the tank, and Suh returns to the unstoppable force he was in Detroit. It's enough to help the Dolphins challenge for a playoff spot, before falling off late in the season.
Worst-case Scenario
Tannehill simply isn't a franchise quarterback. The porous offensive line and inconsistent running game don't help, but it's clear Gase can't elevate the young quarterback's play. Things aren't much better on the other side of the ball, with the new defensive players proving why former teams opted to give up on them. A top-three pick and a 3-13 record means big changes could be afoot once again in Miami.