2016 season preview: Miami Dolphins by PFF

[Fin Fan in Cali]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-2016-season-preview-miami-dolphins/

[h=3]Miami’s running game an enormous question mark[/h] Running backs: 30th
Their ranking here is nothing more than a lack of information. Their top three running backs have a combined 484 snaps in the NFL. Jay Ajayi looks to be the featured back this season with the departure of Lamar Miller, and the Boise State product impressed in his 49 carries as a rookie. No other first-year player had a higher grade per touch than Ajayi last season, although he does benefit from the small sample size. A ridiculous 86.8 percent of his yardage came after contact a year ago. Behind him, Kenyan Drake should fill in nicely as a third-down back and showed such receiving prowess at Alabama that he could even split out to the slot if need be.
(PFF Fantasy Insight: Our Dan Schneier thinks Ajayi is a solid running back who holds the job all to himself. This despite running behind one of the least fantasy-friendly lines in the league. Ajayi is currently the No. 18 running back in our staff consensus rankings.)

I hope Jay has a great year. For more of the season preview please click on the link.

 

[Fin Fan in Cali]

The secondary has improved, but should still be shy of elite

Secondary: 18th

Miami likely has upgraded here, but much like the front-seven, it’s hard to see any impact players outside of Reshad Jones. Byron Maxwell’s struggles are a tad overstated and he’s still good enough to be a starting cornerback in the NFL, but his 1.52 yards per coverage snap was 95th-best in the league a year ago. Opposite him they’ll either be looking at second round pick Xavien Howard or second year player Tony Lippett to take a hefty amount of snaps. Howard was seen as a developmental prospect here at PFF and might be a few years away from his raw physical skill set translating to the field. Lippett might be the frontrunner though as he only saw the field on 137 snaps last year, but came away with a +1.9 overall grade. At safety, Isa Abdul-Quddus was one of PFF’s favorite under-the-radar signings in free agency. The former Lion has only 1,668 career snaps to his name, but in every seasons where he’s played 150 snaps (4) he’s graded out positively.

 

[ChrisTRD]

I think Ajayi is going to turn some heads this year.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Those are the major questions. I believe Miami ran the ball 12 times a game during Joe Philibin's first four games last season. That's not a winning formula. Adam Gase has always committed to the running game wherever he has been. That commitment is huge even if you don't have superstar running backs.

I expect the Dolphins running game to be much better based on Gase's track record, what should be an improved offensive line with the addition of Laremy Tunsil and with more weapons to contend with in the passing game. I think Jay Ajayi will solid.

In terms of the secondary, that's a harder prediction. I love the tape on Xavien Howard, but I could definitely see him giving up big plays as well. Can the coaching staff get his technique and consistency down? There could be some real growing pains while he develops. Tony Lippett has always been intriguing so that should be a battle to watch. I'm not concerned about Byron Maxwell.

 

[39wildman]

bottom line thill17 will make us or break us in 2016. He is most importance player on team. being avg mean another 6-8 win season.