Dolphins 2018 overhaul won’t be unexpected

The Miami Dolphins traded Jay Ajayi on Tuesday and there is some media speculation that an offensive overhaul is on its way. It’s not.

Jay Ajayi’s departure was a bit of a surprise even though head coach Adam Gase called him out by name in last Friday’s press conference. As Ajayi said his good-byes to the team rumors began to swirl of in-house arguments with the coaches. Failures in assignments and  lack of self-study habits. If even one small bit of that is true then so be it.

What Ajayi’s departure doesn’t mean is a “major overhaul” of the Dolphins offense as one local media beat writer wants you to believe. Relax, the sky isn’t falling and while there will be changes made most assuredly this off-season, all of them were expected or at least hoped for.

The Dolphins running back situation is exactly what it is. Miami will ride out the season with Kenyan Drake who could be just as effective as Jay Ajayi and the coaches like what he brings to the table. Damien Williams, playing on a one year deal will likely be gone after the season and was likely going to happen anyway.

At receiver we don’t know if Jarvis Landry will or will not be back. He is the only real question mark at the position. DeVante Parker despite his injuries and frankly his lack of quality consistent play isn’t going anywhere and neither is Kenny Stills. The rest is just back-ups.

If Landry does leave, the Dolphins will likely add a receiver at some point in the draft or in free agency. That does not however constitute an overhaul.

Quarterback will remain relatively the same as well. Ryan Tannehill will be the quarterback for at least another season and the Dolphins will draft a quarterback in the early rounds of the draft. They simply have to in case Tannehill is injured again because the future changes in that case. Cutler will be gone we already know that as well. Matt Moore? Anyone’s guess at this point but losing a back-up QB isn’t an overhaul either.

That leaves to positions that could see significant changes. Tight end and offensive line.

The tight-end spot is horrible. Julius Thomas may not make it through the year let alone into next season. Then again, he could start playing very well to ensure he is with the team next year. Miami will more than likely address the position but if they do it won’t be early in the draft. That is reserved for the offensive line.

Ja’Wuan James had his 5th year option picked up but it doesn’t mean he will be around to get the money. Jermon Bushrod is on a one year deal and almost retired prior to the start of this season. Mike Pouncey is on his last hip, literally it seems, and this could be his final year in Miami. Jesse Davis is starting for now at left guard but Ted Larsen should be back soon and on the left outside Laremy Tunsil is struggling with the assignments.

Now here is where an “overhaul” could occur. Be warned though, the sky again isn’t falling. Miami knows that the offensive line is atrocious but they are not saying so publicly. Moving on from Pouncey is a probability regardless of the seasons outcome. James could be extended to a team friendly deal and it’s not like he is playing like complete garbage just not at the level Miami wants.

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Changes at both guard spots and potentially center are the real needs for the Dolphins but that was expected long before the trade deadline sent everyone into the panic “oh my God the Dolphins are giving up” mode. Miami is not giving up.

Overall the Dolphins could see a new back-up quarterback, a new tight-end, a different slot receiver, a different center, two new guards, and another running back that will compete not start. When you look at the number of positions that could be affected you think yes, that is an overhaul but again, these changes were going to happen regardless of whether the Dolphins made the playoffs, won the Super Bowl, or finished 1-15.

When it comes down to it, the Dolphins will run the same system, will have the same starting QB in Tannehill, the same wide-outs outside, Kenyan Drake was the future at RB anyway, Jarvis Landry possibly, and Laremy Tunsil. The rest of the offensive line needs overhauled that I will give you.

So an overhaul? Not really. Just some much-needed changes that we all knew long before the Dolphins realized it. And keep in mind. The Dolphins spent all but one draft pick on defense last year. This year it’s the offenses turn something we all expected.