As I mentioned in an earlier article, this team has the chance to have a top 5 defense and a top 5 offense. Yes, it sounds very optimistic, but “IF” that can be achieved most of the best sportsbooks in the world would put the Dolphins odds at winning the AFC East pretty high.
This is why my prediction isn’t “pie-in-the-sky”:
It’s a fact Tannehill has had a great camp and has once again improved from the year before. It’s also abundantly clear that Tannehill is more comfortable running the offense and that his game speed has also increased. I am looking forward to seeing Tannehill become more of a coach on the field, making the audibles that he sees fit, based on the defenses facing him. Those are the traits of an elite QB, and this season, he will have more feel for the offense to be able to develop these traits. Let’s remember ‘Tanny’ was Chem major so he has a lot of brains under that helmet!
In addition, the Dolphins have a lot of weapons on offense that can either make yards after the catch or can pick up yards after contact on the ground and in open space. Lamar Miller has gained 10 to 15 pounds of muscle this off-season, but he looks just as fast as before. In addition, during the preseason Miller was a key element in the short passing game. For those of you fantasy football fans, I would suggest taking a shot on Miller, because he has the chance to be a top 5 fantasy running back, because he can do it all. I also believe that Jarvis Landry can be one of, or if not the best slot receiver in the league. His hunger and competitiveness is something that can not be taught, and it has been demonstrated to be contagious to the rest of the team.
On defense, the addition of Suh is going to work wonders on our run defense and our pass rush. Our defensive line is one of the top ranked D-lines in the league. If a team can win in the trenches they put themselves in a very good position to win the game. The pass rush with Suh, Wake and Vernon is going to be smothering, and it is going to help the rest of the defense have an easier job doing their jobs. There is a strong possibility that our defense can have 5 pro bowlers. Grimes, Wake and Suh are all former pro bowlers, so the reasonable expectation is that they can play at that level again this season. The fourth player I would put on that list is Reshad Jones, who has been an absolute beast this season, and most of the best sportsbooks in the world are betting that he will be a top ranked safety this year. Lastly, the steady eddie tackling and impact play maker Jelani Jenkins, looks even better than last season, which could make him an under the radar linebacker to have a pro bowl year.
I’ll drop the mic and leave it at that. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans expectations for this upcoming season and for individual players?
Come discuss this on our Forum when you are done reading!