2015 Season Predictions: AFC East Preview

Miami Dolphins: 

Mar 11, 2015; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle

(right) and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (left) both field questions from reporters during a press conference at Doctors Hospital Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Key Additions: DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Zac Bowman, TE Jordan Cameron, WR Greg Jennings, WR DeVante Parker, WR Kenny Stills, QB Josh Freeman, CB Brice McCain, RB Jay Ajayi

This team really spent big on one player, and that player was probably the best free agent on the market, Ndamukong Suh. Suh is an absolute monster up the middle and will have an immediate impact right away. As long as he can refrain from his unsportsmanlike play on the field, he will be a great addition, though it came at a steep price. I still must question if he is worth the amount they spent on him. Sure this year his cap hit is only $ 6 million, but next year it will be $28 million. That will be almost 20 percent of their entire cap spendings, and that on a defensive tackle. Otherwise defensively, the additions are not of much note. Neither of the two cornerbacks will start next year.

On offense they really attempted to give Tannenhill a whole new set of targets. Outside of Jarvis Landry, it seems like these four newcomers will be the new Dolphins receiving Corps. Jennings is getting fairly old and will be used a lot to mentor the slew of young receivers, but I don’t figure he will have too much of an impact on the field. Stills is coming into his third year and is coming off a very good year. He a very good deep threat, and the Dolphins hope that he is more effective than Mike Wallace was. Drafting Parker was a bit of a surprise to me because he wasn’t that much of a need, but he has the promise of being a No.1 wide receiver at some point in his career.

If Jordan Cameron can actually stay on the field he could be a top 10 tight end in the league, but a slew of injuries have hampered him throughout his first four years in the league. Jay Ajayi was a great pick by the fins I think he could have a solid impact as good No.2 RB in Miami. Similar to Lamar Miller, I was shocked at how far Ajayi fell in the draft and now there are two very talented running backs in Miami that were drafted quite late.

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver

(11) runs to scores touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Detroit won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Key Losses: DT Jared Odrick, DT Randy Starks, TE Charles Clay, WR Brian Hartline, OLB Philip Wheeler, MLB Dannell Ellerbe, RB Knowshon Moreno, CB Cortland Finnegan, WR Mike Wallace

The losses for the Dolphins are a lot bigger than they were for the Jets, but if you look at the additions they compensated for their losses quite well. Odrick and Starks were both very capable defensive tackles, but the Dolphins had already spent so much money on Suh, so that it was a no-brainer to let both of them go. Now Suh must deliver to prove that they made the right decision. I think losing Charles Clay could hurt a lot, depending very much on Cameron’s health. Clay is definitely a top 10 tight end, but they simply couldn’t match the Bills offer. If Cameron plays well and doesn’t get hurt, Clay will not be missed much. Hartline is getting old and therefore the Dolphins prefered younger receivers who could still develop.

On defense, the departure of Wheeler and Ellerbe leave the Dolphins with a quite weak group of linebackers, but they will hope to compensate for that with a strong front four. Finnegan retirement also leaves a bit of a hole in the No. 2 cornerback spot, but the Dolphins will hope Will Davis will be able to grow into the role. These holes again make me question if spending all that money on Suh is really worth it. Wallace was simply a player that the Dolphins did not want to deal with anymore. They spent a lot of money on him and he didn’t work out, so they got rid of him.

May 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback

(17) during practice drills at Miami Dolphins Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Verdict: 

This team spent a lot of money this offseason and I think they definitely did get better, though I am not sure by how much. They have put together a young receiving corps, if you exclude Jennings, that could be with Ryan Tannehill for a long time. Tannehill improved a lot last year and if he improves again this year he would become one of the better quarterbacks in the league. The running game will also be solid as both Miller and Ajayi are very capable. The line will be a big question mark for the team. After playing musical chairs on the line last year, they hope to have found a decent solution that keeps Tannehill upright.

The defense has its strengths and its weakness. The front four is great and can really put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks by themselves, but the linebacker core behind them is not as good. Still they hope that Suh alone can be a major presence on the run defense. The secondary could also have its struggles, as outside of Brent Grimes, who is a great No.1 cornerback, it is about average. The Dolphins have a very balanced team that could be a viable contender.

Jan 25, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Team Irvin cornerback

of the Miami Dolphins (21) reacts during the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions:

Best Case Record: 13-3

Worst Case Record: 8-8

Prediction: 11-5

Team’s Offensive MVP: QB Ryan Tannehill

Team’s Defensive MVP: CB Brent Grimes

Rookie Standout: G Jamil Douglas

This could be a big year for Dolphins. I think their schedule sits very nicely for them at the beginning of the season and they could very likely be heading into their bye week with a 4-0 record. After continuing to beat up on the AFC south, their first loss might not come until Week 8. The problem is their second half of the season is extremely difficult. To me they really need to finish the first half 7-1 or 6-2 to even have a chance. Especially the last three weeks look very difficult. A lot of games can go either way as a lot of teams are about on the same level. In the end an 11-5 record seems like a very good and plausible record, but will it be enough?

Next: And once again, Division Champion is ______