Miami Dolphins positional breakdown: offense

A lot has been done in this offseason, and there is still much to be done. What does this team look like nearly half way through the offseason checklist?

In today’s NFL, a team cannot win if they are weak in any facet of the game. In other words, high-octane offenses mean nothing if their defense is lethargic, and vice versa. In this article, we are going to take a look at how the Dolphins’ offense look based on the current roster.

QUARTERBACK

Ryan Tannehill had a promising finish to his season last year before it was cut short by a leg injury. Coaches think he will progress even more and start to lead a very efficient passing attack. Ryan is very good at moving around and finding the open man. From time to time, his receivers will drop the ball or the DB will make a good play on the ball. But for the most part, Tannehill has the proper mentality and football IQ to become a Pro Bowl QB in the future (hopefully near-future).

As for depth, I would take Matt Moore over many starters currently in the league. Moore has great poise that pairs with experience to make him a very serviceable backup to Ryan Tannehill. Moore still gives Tannehill tips and pointers on many things and is a very good insurance policy for Ryan Tannehill.

Rating: 7 out of 10

RUNNING BACK

Jay Ajayi has turned out to be a complete stud. Now we’ve only seen him for a little less than a full season, but an he keep it up? We sure hope so. He has the abilities. With an efficient passing attack, Jay Train should be even better in this next season, or at least more consistent. He could not pull together a long string of 100-yard games, which is something he needs to improve on in this next season.

Ajayi has tremendous size for his position. He is a strong runner; he is a fast runner; he is a smart runner; he is a great runner. Having a better season truly hinges on the health of his offensive line blocking for him. But as for the player himself, we can check ‘starting running back’ off the list.

As for the depth, Kenyan Drake is a speedy player. He can take it to the house when given the slightest bit of space. Whether he showed it often or not last year, it should become quite obvious that he contains the qualities of a highly effective 3rd down back.

The same can be said for Damien Williams, who has the trust of Adam Gase and the will to win on every touch. Damien had some very nice runs last year when subbing out Jay Ajayi, which can go a long way. At the beginning of the season, Gase mentioned he would like to leave running backs in for a full drive at a time. That didn’t come to be true until the end of the year.

If Jay Ajayi came crawling to the sideline due to a broken left leg (please God… no), I would be comfortable sending out Drake and Williams to lead a One-Two punch attack and an effective one at that.

Rating: 8.75 out of 10

WIDE RECEIVER

There isn’t much to talk about here. Jarvis Landry is one of the best in the game; great hands with great leadership and crisp routes. Kenny Stills can keep secondaries honest and blow the top off from time to time. Devante Parker can be elite if he can stay healthy.

Beyond them, I have a special feeling that Leonte Carroo can take major strides forward in his second year, forcing coaches to play him. Jakeem Grant has blazing speed, but just needs to learn how to use it in the NFL. Rashawn Scott has good size and speed, but just too many good players ahead of him.

Rating: 8.75 out of 10

TIGHT END

Don’t look now, but the Dolphins have a great TE duo. Julius Thomas, reunited with Adam Gase, has great tools to get a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns. Thomas is a big-play guy, he creates mismatches all over the field. He just needs to stay healthy. Anthony Fasano was the NUMBER ONE blocking TE in football last season. He won’t be asked to catch 500 yards, but he will be asked to block for Jay Train so he can run for 1,500 yards.

Behind these two, MarQueis Gray has adequate capabilities to block and catch, along with experience. Thomas Duarte is quite far from making it to the NFL, if he ever does. Another tight end would be a wise addition, whether it be deep in the draft or a free agent.

Rating: 7 out of 10

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Laremy Tunsil could be on the cusp of many Pro Bowls to come. Tunsil assuredly has the faith of the front office to man the left tackle position. Ja’Wuan James has slowly-but-surely increased his level of play each season in the league. If he keeps improving, he could be great and it could be very soon. Tunsil and James are young guys that surely have the talent, but they absolutely have to stay healthy.

Beyond these two, there isn’t much depth. Sam Young re-signed with the team recently and serves as an adequate injury fill-in for the remainder of a game or possibly start a game if needed. But I would not be a happy camper if I had to count on Young for a large part of the season. He definitely could prove me wrong, but based off what I have seen, he seems to be a decent backup.

Rating: 7 out of 10

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE

Both guard positions and the center position are all very similar. Mike Pouncey has been the leader of the group for years now, and that is starting to show in his health. Mike still has elite talent, but simply has trouble staying on the field.

Jermon Bushrod and Ted Larson are aged veterans that still have some play left in the tank. This is the weak part of the offense. Both of these guys are physically slow and past their primes. I would like to see these two rotate at either guard position, while the team drafts another starter on the opposite side. As for now, this could be what slows this team down both in the passing game and in the running game.

Obviously if the starters are questionable, then the depth is not terrific either. Anthony Steen could very well figure it out, but between him, Kraig Urbik, Jake Brendel, and Avery Young, there is not much effective depth at the position.

Rating: 4 out of 10