How the Miami Dolphins can win the AFC East in 2020

1. Make the new-look running game the offensive focal point

There was plenty of excitement in late April when the team used the initial selection of its three first-round draft choices on former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Of course, he’s coming off a serious injury and some would say the Dolphins made quite the risky move investing the fifth overall on a player that may not be able to contribute immediately. It’s certainly a wait-and-see situation.

These days, the talented prospect is competing in camp with ageless Ryan Fitzpatrick and two-year pro Josh Rosen, who the club acquired last year via trade from the Arizona Cardinals. But regardless of who winds up being the starter behind center, the Dolphins will need a reliable ground attack.

Miami was dead last in the NFL in rushing this past season (72.3 yards per game) and the club’s leading rusher was actually Fitzpatrick with 243 yards and four scores. Hence the free-agent signing of Jordan Howard (Eagles) and a draft weekend trade that brought Matt Breida from San Francisco. They could prove to be quite the combination (via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com).

A year ago, the ‘Fins were limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in all but three games. There were only two contests in which the club finished with at least 30 running plays. And a little ball control could certainly benefit a team that finished 27th in the NFL in rushing defense in 2019.