Miami Dolphins Fantasy: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em vs Redskins

The wait is over. Miami Dolphins football is finally upon us, and Joe Philbin’s side enter the season opener in Washington with a heavy weight of expectation on their shoulders. It should be an all-too familiar feeling for Philbin and his men though.

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Dolphins players have proved to be popular stock in fantasy land this season, and there are a few very favourable match-ups for the Dolphins in week one, but others that should maybe be left on the bench on Sunday. This guide will take you through them all.

Start ‘Em

Jarvis Landry – Wide Receiver

The poor Redskins defence is a recurring theme with these selections. Landry caught more balls last season than any other Dolphins receiver, and that was his rookie campaign. The LSU product is getting rave reviews around the league for his flamboyant style, which was apparent in his college days alongside Odell Beckham Jr. He should get more red zone looks in his second year and will likely be a target for the improved Tannehill deep ball. Landry will rack up the catches, and the yards, against most secondary’s this season, particularly Washington’s. A young receiver with big play potential should be one of your two starting wide-outs. The only downside is that Miami’s new offensive stars might mean less targets for Landry. Still a wise selection, nonetheless.

Ryan Tannehill – Quarterback

Probably the most obvious start of the week on the Dolphins roster. Tannehill has gone from strength to strength in his first three seasons in the league, and that correlation will continue into his fourth. He now has all the offensive ammunition he needs to reach the playoffs for the first time; a savvy and reliable veteran wide-out, a running back that will build on his first 1000 yard season, a group of young and hungry receivers, lined with playmaker’s, and a Pro Bowl tight end that is a danger in the red zone. The Redskins D is one that will get rinsed by quarterbacks all season, it will be a long season for Washington fans. I fancy Tannehill to utilise his shiny new weapons and have a 300+ yard game.

Lamar Miller – Running Back

This was a smart choice before the Dolphins announced that Pro Bowl tackle Branden Albert would be fit for the opening game, now that Albert is back, Miller is an obvious starter on anyone’s fantasy team. The offensive line is still a bit patchy but, as mentioned earlier, Miami’s starting back is coming off his first 1000 yard season, and will no doubt pick up where he left off. Miller’s acceleration and change of direction are really what impress me. If pre-season is anything to go by, he will easily surpass the 1,099 yards he rushed for last season. And, against a depleted Redskins linebacker corps, Miller could very easily combine rushes and receptions to have his cap the opening game with 100+ yards.

Sit ‘Em

DeVante Parker – Wide Receiver

While Parker may prove to be a fantasy steal in the long run, I do not see him getting many snaps in the season opener, unfortunately for Dolphins fans. Miami’s first round draft pick had surgery on his foot during the off-season and scarcely featured in pre-season, recording just one catch for 11 yards. Parker will initially be eased into Lazor’s offence, but will most likely be taken under Jennings’ wing and pick up the lead role in the attack as the season progresses. He has reportedly been impressive in training this week, but I doubt Joe Philbin would risk aggravating an injury that has seen the Dolphins’ most exciting rookie miss so much time already, especially when he has the talents of Jennings, Landry, Jordan Cameron and Kenny Stills at his disposal.

Andrew Franks – Kicker

I like the decision to cut Caleb Sturgis and make Franks the first team kicker. Sturgis did not impress in the two years he spent in Miami. On too many occasions, when the offence struggled to convert in the red zone, he failed to compensate with three points. You would have been mightily unlucky to end up with Franks on your fantasy team anyway. That isn’t a reflection on the rookie’s ability, mainly on the number of kickers around the league. Regardless, the Dolphins have much improved red zone targets and something tells me Lazor would not have been happy with last season’s red zone touchdown percentage (51% – 21st in NFL). The offensive coordinator will be looking to improve that number significantly in this campaign, and will start by punching in as many points as he can against Washington. Meaning selecting the Dolphins place-kicker may not be the wisest decision.