NFL: Each Team’s Biggest 2015 X-Factor

Sep 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kenny Stills (84) congratulates running back Darren Sproles (43) after Sproles scored a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins WR Kenny Stills

Widely seen as the team with the best chance at usurping the Patriots for the AFC East crown, the Miami Dolphins passing attack has a huge amount of upside with Jarvis Landry, first-round rookie DeVante Parker, trade acquisition Kenny Stills, Rishard Matthews, and free agent signings Greg Jennings and Jordan Cameron surrounding extended QB Ryan Tannehill. Under offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the Dolphins offense has mega-potential if the offensive line can avoid being a catastrophe, and nobody provides them with a more dangerous big-play factor than Stills.

Weirdly enough, some people were quick to put Matthews over Stills, who dealt with an August injury, on the depth chart due to Matthews “starting” in the preseason dress rehearsal game. However, it would be a huge shock for Matthews to prove to be better than Stills, especially since the former New Orleans Saints standout put up some jaw-dropping numbers last season.

Just three wide receivers averaged over 14.0 yards per reception with a catch rate above 70% in 2014: Randall Cobb, Beckham Jr., and, yes, Stills.

Considering how poorly Tannehill and Mike Wallace hooked up on deep passes over the past two years, Stills should be an upgrade at the “X” spot as a more fluid deep threat for this offense.

Next: A New Addition