The safest Miami Dolphins jerseys you can buy in 2018
By Brian Miller
Fans love to buy their favorite team jerseys and Miami Dolphins fans are no different but the cost of the jersey and bust factors make it hard to decide who to buy.
Are you one of those Miami Dolphins fans wanting to buy a Mike Geskicki jersey but don’t know if he will enter the season wearing number 88 or number 86? You are not alone if you are. Many fans want to buy the rookies jersey but no one knows what he will actually be wearing.
Gesicki is an interesting case because he wore 88 in college and then was given 86 for the Dolphins because Leonte Carroo had 88. Carroo has been released so 88 is available. With one week until the start of the season, can Gesicki get that number back? If he waits will he change next season? That is a dilemma for certain.
The price of an authentic NFL jersey is quite high so many opt for the less costly replica jerseys but even those are climbing in price. What used to be a jersey that ran about $45-60.00 is now running at minimum $100.00. Needless to say who you invest in is important.
Not all of us have money we can throw away on a jersey, admittedly I haven’t bought a jersey in about 15 years. I need to update my game day wardrobe however so the time might be coming in 2018. The question of course is who I should consider, and who I should not consider.
On NFL.com’s store front for Dolphins apparel the top jersey is “add name” meaning that you can build your own. The top players are Ryan Tannehill, Kiko Alonso, and Danny Amendola even showed up as well.
Consider
Cameron Wake – If you don’t have a Cam Wake jersey it might be a good time to get one. Yes, Wake has maybe three years left in his career but it’s one that could end with a H.o.F nomination and potential induction. Wake has established himself as a big part of the Dolphins history so dropping coin on his name and number is something you won’t regret short or long-term.
Don’t consider
Ryan Tannehill – Tannehill is the Dolphins starter and he could have a huge season in 2018 but should you invest in him this year? Probably not. There are as many negative questions as there are positive outcomes. Tannehill is the Dolphins quarterback today but if he doesn’t perform well this year, the Dolphins could be drafting a quarterback in 2019. Best wait if this is where you are thinking about going.
Consider
Minkah Fitzpatrick – So far he has looked really good. In fact through pre-season he was one of the top rated rookies. But it was just pre-season. Fitzpatrick has all of the physical tools and is putting in the work off the field to get better. He will be around at least four years but more likely five if not more. At worst you have a jersey you can wear for five seasons.
Don’t consider
Danny Amendola – After years with the Patriots, Amendola gets to prove that he was far more than just a Tom Brady target. He signed his biggest contract of his career with the Dolphins but that does not mean he will translate to success on the field. Injury history is a concern so buyer beware.
Consider
Frank Gore – I know this is a stretch. Gore could play his final season in the NFL with the Dolphins or he may play another year here or somewhere else. If you are a Hurricane fan however then you know Gore from his college days and the future H.o.F. running back has returned home. Even if for only one season you can’t pass up a chance to have Gore on a Dolphins jersey to go with the Hurricane jersey you might already own. If you’re not a fan of the Hurricanes, you probably want to pass.
Don’t consider
Anyone else on the roster – there are too many questions surrounding every single other player on the Dolphins roster. Even Reshad Jones who could be gone after the season is over. The Dolphins don’t have a great core of proven talent yet but that hopefully will change after the season when some of the younger players like Raekwon McMillan might make a claim for “jersey-worthy”.
Consider
Still have to have that Miami Dolphins jersey but don’t want to go the Dan Marino, Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas route? Consider getting the number 72 with “Perfect” or “Undefeated” on it instead. No matter what ever happens in the NFL that will never be taken away.