Miami Dolphins: Week three position grades

. C. Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill posted over 300 yards passing and three touchdown passes but his slow start and two interceptions, including a pick-6 were costly. For the 3rd consecutive week Tannehill turned into a better quarterback in the 2nd half. Miami still came close to losing the game after a late strip sack fumble that was recovered by the Browns in Miami territory. Tannehill recovered well in overtime and led the team on a game winning touchdown drive on the teams second possession in over time.. QUARTERBACK.

C. As a team the Dolphins rushed for more than 100 yards but it was Kenyan Drake who led the day on the ground with 37 yards on nine carries. The Dolphins rushing game is almost non-existent and the team doesn’t outwardly seem too concerned. The Miami run blocking is atrocious at best but not having a heavy hitter in the backfield is a major problem as well. Not that Arian Foster is the solution. Foster missed his 2nd game with a groin injury he suffered in the first series last week. Overall the running backs performed poorly but it was the running game that sealed the victory in overtime when Jay Ajayi broke outside and took the ball into the endzone.<p>Damien Williams also scored as a result of a Ryan Tannehill throw. Williams is starting to emerge as the best receiving option out of the back-field but he needs to be on the field more to make a bigger difference. </p>. RUNNING BACK. .

B+. While the Miami Dolphins running game hardly exists, the passing game, while inconsistent, is starting to improve with each game. Despite a couple of drops by the sure handed Jarvis Landry, the Dolphins receivers played well on Sunday. Four Dolphins pass catchers had over 40 yards receiving including Landry’s 120 yards and touchdown. Kenny Stills posted 76 yards on five receptions and DeVante Parker found the endzone on a 26 yard grab. He had 53 yards total on the day. Jordan Cameron exited early with an injury but Dion Sims stepped up and played well gaining 46 yards on four receptions.<p>The Dolphins receivers are finding ways to get open but they still need to improve some of their route running and need to try and get off the line better in press coverages but they are getting in position to make plays in Adam Gase’s offense.</p>. Wide-Receivers/Tight-ends. .

C -. When your offensive line can’t open holes for the running back and can’t keep the quarterback from taking unnecessary hits, it’s going to be a long day. When the starting right tackle is benched at the most critical time in the game it’s not a good sign that the unit is playing well. Individually some players fared much better. The left side of the line played well and Anthony Steen played well until his ankle injury. In his place, Kraig Urbik played well late in the game. The problems continue to be on the right side where the Dolphins are simply not very good.<br />. OFFENSIVE LINE. .

. . C. The defensive line is stuck in a rut that they can’t get out of. The Dolphins gave up 169 yards on the ground to the Browns on Sunday including 79 to Isaiah Crowell and 69 to Duke Johnson. This is a trend that has continued not only through three games but has carried over since 2015. To be fair the front of the Dolphins is designed to allow the linebackers to make the plays and they are not doing that. Still, when so much yardage is given up it’s hard to grade a unit that is at the line of scrimmage any higher. The Dolphins were able to get pressure on Cody Kessler but only Ndamukong Suh came off the line. Cameron Wake and Andre Branch each were able to get off the edge. The Dolphins need their defensive front to step up. Pressure was solid but Miami still can’t close that pressure and far too often are letting quarterbacks escape the pocket and make first down throws.. DEFENSIVE LINE &amp; ENDS

D. 169 yards rushing against the Dolphins defense is as much the linebackers fault as the front defensive line. Kiko Alonso is making plays but they are not at the point of impact on the line and tend to be downfield. Alonso needs better vision up front to dissect the runs and the passes because he isn’t filling the holes that are being created for him by the defensive line. Outside there is nothing special in Jelani Jenkins or Koa Misi and neither player is at their potential. While stopping the run is a problem, the linebackers can’t seem to stop the short pass either. When in coverage Alonso struggled to keep the tight-end and slot receivers from picking up yards.<p>Overall the defense did enought to keep the Dolphins in the game but their play was far too inconsistent to grade higher. They played the Browns and almost lost.</p>. LINEBACKERS. .

DEFENSIVE SECONDARY. . . D. Like the rest of the defense, Miami’s secondary did enough to keep the Dolphins in the game but giving up 279 yards through the air to a 3rd round rookie quarterback and converted wide-receiver is not impressive. Terrelle Pryor caught eight passes for 144 yards to lead the Browns and specifically Byron Maxwell couldn’t stop him. For his part, Xavien Howard played well although he dropped a sure interception. Michael Thomas was flagged for a penalty at a crucial time as well. Isa Abdul-Quddus was unable to cover Gary Barnidge on a late two point conversion. The ball was a lob pass over Quddus who never had a shot.<p>The Dolphins secondary is expected to be weak and that has been the case most of the year. Hopefully they will get better before Thursday when they face a tough Bengals offensive and WR A.J. Green. </p>

OVERALL GRADE. . . C. The Miami Dolphins are very lucky to have walked away with a victory on Sunday because the Browns really gave the game back to Miami. Miami didn’t leave any points on the board and as quick as Dolphins fans are to point out the lost opportunities in the first two weeks, it was the Browns who left them on field this week. Miami must find a way to start faster because they can not continue to play 3rd quarter football.<p>The good news is that the Dolphins are still learning under Adam Gase and he seems to be making the right decisions most of the time. Unlike previously hired first time head coaches, Gase seems far more involved with a better understanding of what needs to change. It’s a positive sign of what could be to come.</p>