Quarterback is set with Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore, and Brandon Doughty and this spring’s newest draft/post-draft project competing for the No. 3 job, or more likely, a practice squad position.
Running back is set with Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake (Adam Gase wants to increase his role) and Damien Williams (the Dolphins tendered him at $1.8 million).
Receiver is set with Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, and probably Leonte Carroo and Jakeem Grant, though Miami wants to see more growth from Carroo and Grant and it’s not entirely out of the question that a cheap veteran or rookie could push one of them for a roster spot.
Tight end is set with Julius Thomas, Anthony Fasano and very likely MarQueis Gray.
The Dolphins know Laremy Tunsil, Ja’Wuan James, Mike Pouncey, Ted Larsen and very likely Kraig Urbik will be on the team, and Anthony Steen and Sam Young have a good shot to stick, too. So that leaves one or two more linemen to add, including a guard who’s starter worthy, and that’s it.
There’s your Dolphins offense and with Ryan Tannehill in his second year in Adam Gase’s system and all the receivers and running backs returning, and clear progress made after the first six games last season, it’s very reasonable to expect the Dolphins’ offense to improve from 17th in points (22.7 per game) and 24th in yards.
And it’s not only having a second year in Gase’s system that should help all the offensive returnees.
James, after struggling early in the season, graded out as well or better as any Dolphins’ lineman over the final eight games.
And James, while not making excuses, told me one reason he struggled early was that the technique taught by offensive line coach Chris Foerster was so different from that taught by his predecessor, John Benton.
Once James got that down, he was a clearly above-average right tackle. And that should continue in a second season with the same o-line coach.
