Miami Dolphins Offense to Improve in 2015?

Coming off of a productive 2014 NFL season for the Miami Dolphins offense, the team saw several drastic changes in their makeup as compared to only a season ago. Taking into effect current injuries and roster development, will the 2015 Dolphins offense be more productive than in 2014?

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is entering his fourth year in the NFL, and his fourth as the Dolphin’s starting quarterback.

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Starting at the quarterback position, the depth of the position is relatively unscathed compared to a season ago. On last season’s 53-man roster, the Dolphins carried two quarterbacks, including Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore, both of which are currently on the 2015 roster. Tannehill recently saw his most productive season as a Dolphin, and is entering his fourth NFL season with a hefty price tag on his head after his recent six-year $96 million contract. Meanwhile, Moore is entering his seventh NFL season, and his fourth being placed as a backup behind Tannehill.

After Tannehill and Moore stand newly acquired Josh Freeman and McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Of these two, Freeman saw the most playing time during his stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile for Bethel-Thompson, his hopes to make the 53-man roster  are distant, as the Dolphins last carried four quarterbacks in 2012 during the HBO Hard Knocks quarterback battle.

Since the quarterback position is indistinguishable, it would be hard to decipher whether the Dolphins quarterback makeup has improved/declined. However, with Tannehill entering another season, and being paired with new weapons at wide receiver, the outlook for the quarterback position is on the rise. The tougher question remains, how many quarterbacks will the Dolphins carry on the 53-man roster this season?

Lamar Miller exceeded some expectations last season as he rushed for his first 1,000+ season of his career. Will he continue to improve in 2015?

Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile at running back, Lamar Miller is coming off of his best season in the NFL after he compiled his first 1,000+ rushing yards season. Miller took a majority of the carries (nearly 55%) for the Dolphins in 2014, and will likely see the same in 2015. Last season the Dolphins entered the season with a dynamic duo of Miller and Knowshon Moreno in the backfield, but the Dolphins neglected to resign Moreno in 2015 and look to fill his shoes with several younger players.

Among the players in the backfield that will battle for a place on the depth chart are rookie Jay Ajayi, LaMichael James, Damien Williams, and Mike Gillislee. Ajayi, and Williams are likely the front-runners to share carries with Miller, as Williams provided an unexpected spark as an undrafted free agent. Last season the Dolphins carried four running backs into their opening day 53-man roster, including Miller, Moreno, Thomas and Williams.

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Compared to last season, I see a slight decline in running back progression, due to the sole loss of Moreno. Although Moreno spent a majority of the season on injured reserve, he provided potential in his showing against the New England Patriots in week one. Although several running backs have yet to have a chance to prove themselves, last year’s backfield situation gave more of a one-two punch.

Grade: Slight decline

Doing the blocking for the backfield is the offensive line, a staple of the game the Dolphins have been missing in prior seasons. Last season saw production while the line was healthy, but never really sufficed due to the injuries of Mike Pouncey and Branden Albert. One highlight in 2014 was the production from rookie Ja’wuan James, who will likely move back to right tackle as Albert recovers. James started all 16 games for the Dolphins last season, including playing at both tackle positions as a rookie, James seemingly has a bright future in Miami.

At the center position, the Dolphins will have Pouncey back playing at his natural position, after switching to right guard with the acquisition of Samson Satele last season. With Pouncey moving back to center, the Dolphins will likely have to rely on young guards Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner who both have little experience in starting situations. Last year the Dolphins started Pouncey and Daryn Colledge at the guard positions.

Although the Dolphins have a younger starting line entering 2015, I see more potential from this starting five in comparison to last season’s five. Once Albert fully recovers and returns to the left tackle position, the Dolphins may have the offensive line they have been dreaming to build for the last decade.

Grade: Slight Increase

The 2015 Miami Dolphin’s wide receiver corps is considerably different compared to a season ago, but will they exceed last season?Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, the tight end and wide receiver position faced a majority of the changes in 2015. The Dolphin’s made a move in free agency by acquiring Jordan Cameron from the Cleveland Browns, when the Buffalo Bills made a move on Charles Clay. This move for the Dolphins was a valiant move as I see this move as an upgrade. With the duo of Cameron and up-and-comer Dion Sims, the Dolphins will have a pair of big tight ends for Tannehill.

The wide receiver position saw several free agency moves as the Dolphins dealt Mike Wallace to the Minnesota Vikings, acquired Kenny Stills from the New Orleans Saints, and acquired Greg Jennings through free agency. Most notably, the Dolphins spent their no. 14 overall draft pick on DeVante Parker who will likely be available for the regular season opener against the Washington Redskins, despite having surgery on his foot on Friday.

With Parker healthy for opening day, the transition from Wallace to Parker as the Dolphin’s no. 1 receiver is uplifting. Parker offers height and strength Wallace simply lacked, and has the physique to snag balls Wallace couldn’t. Potentially, the depth behind the no. 1 receiver is intriguing: Kenny Stills, Jarvis Landry, Rishard Matthews, and possibly Matt Hazel. Last year’s depth chart saw Wallace, Brian Hartline, Jarvis Landry, Brandon Gibson, Matthews and Hazel.

Landry showed an impressive rookie season that has Dolphins fans buzzing entering 2015. Most valuable as a slot receiver, Landry caught 84 passes last season, the most on the team. Stills is coming from the Saints, where he caught 63 passes from Drew Brees last season. The duo of Stills and Landry is seen as a young, but valuable upgrade from Hartline and Gibson only a season ago.

Caught in the shuffle at receiver is Laron Byrd, Michael Preston, Tyler McDonald, Christion Jones, Nigel King, Damarr Aultmann, and newly-acquired Tommy Streeter. Although many of these players hold a slim shot of making the 53-man roster, several will make appearances on the 2015 practice squad.

Overall the 2015 tight end and receiving corps is a huge upgrade in my mind. Wallace and Tannehill struggled with continuity throughout their affair and needed fresh starts. Tannehill has this season as a fresh start with new receivers, and will look to lead the Miami Dolphins past their 2014 season.

Do you believe the Dolphins improved their offense compared to a season ago? Let us know below!