Unit By Unit Grades Post Draft

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Where does Miami rank unit-by-unit after the draft? I'm trying to be realistic without aqua-colored glasses. Using an A-F grading system with C being league average.

Here it goes. Love your take.

Front Office C-
Mike Tannebaum was hired in February 2015. Making this simple, Miami has gone 22-27 in that time period which is a bit below average. We can talk all day about good and bad moves, but won/loss record seems like the best indicator.

Coaching C
Using the same approach, Adam Gase is 16-17 in two years including a playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Gase was a breath of fresh air, pulling all the right strings in his first year. Not much went right in year number two. I will say this. In year three, the offense better take off as that's really his area of expertise and it's been pretty ho hum for the most part.

Quarterback C
The numbers may not suggest it, but I think Ryan Tannehill is slightly above average. He could have his best season with an improved cast around him. Brock Osweiller was a fringe starter, but he could give you a good game here and there. David Fales and Brice Petty could be in the mix for a back-up role.

Offensive Line C+
When was the last time Miami had an above average offensive line? Could certainly happen this year. Love the free agent acquisition of Josh Sitton at left guard. Plus Daniel Kilgore is probably as good as Mike Pouncey, but more durable. The key is the development of Laremy Tunsil. Depth appears better as well.

Running Backs B-
I think Kenyon Drake has superstar potential if he stays healthy. Hopefully Frank Gore has enough left in the tank to get those short-yardage, tough yards. Kalen Ballage has some intriguing skills to work with.

Wide Receivers C
There's no number one guy here, but there is talent. Danny Amendola is a quarterback friendly target. Albert Wilson is fast and versatile. Kenny Stills and Tannehill are on the same page. The big question mark is DaVante Parker and if he can take his game to another level. Jakeem Grant and Wilson could take some plays away from Parker. Grant's big-play ability needs to be utilized better.

Tight Ends C+
I admit this could be a bit "homer" of me. I just really think Mike Gesicki is going to be just sicki. In a good way. He may be the best tight end Miami has had since Keith Jackson. I like the potential of Durham Smythe as well, especially as a blocker. A.J. Derby is also intriguing and MarQueis Gray figures to challenge for a roster spot as well. I think the Dolphins turned this from a weakness to a strength this offseason.

Defensive Ends B-
With Cameron Wake, Robert Quinn, Charles Harris, William Hayes and Charles Branch Miami has pass rushers and depth on the edge. Besides Hayes, though, these guys aren't great against the run. That could be a concern.

Defensive Tackles D+
Even with the recent addition of Akeem Spence, defensive tackle is a major question mark. Davon Godchaux had a nice rookie year and should continue to develop. Jordan Phillips is a big key with whether he can be more productive with more snaps. Vincent Taylor looks to be a rotational guy.

Linebackers C-
This is really projection based. The return of Raekwon McMillan could be huge for Miami's defense. Jerome Baker, at least initially, figures in passing downs. His speed and athleticism should boost the pass defense. Kiko Alonso could find himself back at MLB with McMillan as the strongside. Stephone Anthony may start at strongside. Interesting to see how the Dolphins go here.

Corner/Safety B-
The safety tandem of Reshad Jones and rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick could be among the leagues best. Xavien Howard had a terrific stretch run for Miami with a game for the ages against New England. Cordrea Tankersley showed well as a rookie. Tony Lippett returns to challenge Tankersley. Bobby McCain figures to start in the slot, maybe with Fitzpatrick getting time there as well. T.J. McDonald could see time at linebacker or as a third safety in some sets. Nice young talent in the secondary for the Dolphins.

Special Teams C-
Rookie kicker Jason Sanders would be the current starter and that doesn't instill a lot of confidence. Long snapper John Denny remains a great story for Miami. If long snappers ever made the Hall of Fame, he'd have to be considered. Of course, that doesn't happen. On paper, this area could be a concern but you never know who will end up as the opening day kicker.

 

[nick1]

You left out corner i believe. Unless you put safety and corner under safety

 

[ANUFan]

Saw "C" grades for the first 4 categories including for a coach that got us to the play-offs year one and manage some wins in year two after losing a starting QB. I didn't even bother to read beyond that.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

You left out corner i believe. Unless you put safety and corner under safety

Thanks. Will make that change!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Saw "C" grades for the first 4 categories including for a coach that got us to the play-offs year one and manage some wins in years two losing a starting QB and didn't even bother going beyond that.

I get that. Gase definitely overachieved in year one. But, the decision to sign Cutler certainly worked against him in year two. For me, it's a C right now but I'm still encouraged by his start. Getting to the playoffs in his first season, with all the injuries, was quite an accomplishment.

 

[FSU Truth]

Saw "C" grades for the first 4 categories including for a coach that got us to the play-offs year one and manage some wins in years two losing a starting QB and didn't even bother going beyond that.

Not to mention a god awful travel schedule the first few weeks (more then most teams travel all season) and having no bye week. I give last year a pass. IF we get more of the same this season (I don't expect it), then I think you can begin to question Gase, but as of right now I think he is more of the year 1 coach we saw.

 

[NoblePhin]

Coaching- Gase has put his foot down and has overhauled his staff. We should be better this year in the regard. B-

QB- all on Tannehill, wouldnt surprise me if Petty is the number 2. B

RB- Drake, Gore, Ballange, Perry. Drake is going to breakout, Gore great mentor still playing at a high level, Ballange looks like a player. B+

Wr/TE- no superstar but a variety of play styles and deadly variations that should open this playbook up. B+

OL- first time in a while we have solid depth across the board. Still a bit unproven but we have our bookends, former PB guard, and a center that can actually practice. B-

DE/DT- 5 passrushers and 4 unproven tackles, this is a stength and a question mark at the same time. Someone needs to step up in the Dt rotation bit we have a lot to work with on the edge. B

LB- finally some speed with Baker and Gervin and Anthony in the mix. Returning 2nd pick who should be our mike, position change for Alonso to Sam hopefully. Still the biggest ? on the team. C

CB/S- Good press corners, potentially great safety pairing, solid nickel options. Im not too worried anymore about the secondary. B

 

[dolfan91]

SF great job, as usual. I'm very curious to see the end result, after the season. DE, DT and CB, all could be graded lower by seasons end, too many question marks IMHO. TE, OL and LB could be potentially graded higher after the season, with all the young talent added or coming back. This of course depends how the players either develop or falter. But as of now on paper, inthink you’re spoy on.

 

[claytonduper]

I appreciate the "objective" review but the grades seem a little low on some areas. Perhaps it is the "homer" in me expecting our team to come together with our acquisitions and the return of our starting QB. I think coaching, safety/CB, DE's and TE's should be graded a little higher. I admit my bias is rooted in potential and expectations.

 

[BobDole]

I agree with all of it except I'd go F for the FO. The drafts have been okay but it's hard to imagine free agency and player contracts being handled worse.

Not a ton of talent + bleak cap situation = FO not doing their jobs.

 

[Padfoot]

I mostly agree with these grades except coaching. I'd give Gase a B- so far. Made playoffs, but with easy schedule, but also with a lot of injuries. Then got 6 wins after losing Tannehill and not having a bye week. I get not liking the Cutler signing but he didn't want to give up on the season and I respect that. He could've used Tannehill's injury as an excuse to throw out the white flag but he didn't. Despite the results, I still agree with the decision at the time. There was less chance of making a run with Moore.

We don't have much talent. I feel like Gase gets the most out of a lot of players. I'm not thrilled with his play calling but I'd like to see what he does this season with players that are better fits for his offense.

I think this year will be more telling with his focus on smart high character guys and dumping the ones who aren't on the same page.

 

[ANUFan]

I get that. Gase definitely overachieved in year one. But, the decision to sign Cutler certainly worked against him in year two. For me, it's a C right now but I'm still encouraged by his start. Getting to the playoffs in his first season, with all the injuries, was quite an accomplishment.

Hey, it's an opinion piece and you're entitled to it. But if anything year 2 shows me they didn't "overachieve" as they where close "statistically" to actually earning another playoff spot with that same Cutler and that tells me a great deal.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Coaching- Gase has put his foot down and has overhauled his staff. We should be better this year in the regard. B-

QB- all on Tannehill, wouldnt surprise me if Petty is the number 2. B

RB- Drake, Gore, Ballange, Perry. Drake is going to breakout, Gore great mentor still playing at a high level, Ballange looks like a player. B+

Wr/TE- no superstar but a variety of play styles and deadly variations that should open this playbook up. B+

OL- first time in a while we have solid depth across the board. Still a bit unproven but we have our bookends, former PB guard, and a center that can actually practice. B-

DE/DT- 5 passrushers and 4 unproven tackles, this is a stength and a question mark at the same time. Someone needs to step up in the Dt rotation bit we have a lot to work with on the edge. B

LB- finally some speed with Baker and Gervin and Anthony in the mix. Returning 2nd pick who should be our mike, position change for Alonso to Sam hopefully. Still the biggest ? on the team. C

CB/S- Good press corners, potentially great safety pairing, solid nickel options. Im not too worried anymore about the secondary. B

I hope your grades are closer to what we actually see on the field. The whole reason I did this was seeing Miami ranked about 30th on NFL.com. So, I wanted to try to look at the team as realistically as possible. What I see is mostly NFL average talent across the board with a few exceptions. Closer to maybe middle of the pack in the NFL, but certainly not 30th. The run defense is a major concern, though.

The biggest thing is really Adam Gase. Is he the coach we saw year one, or closer to the year two guy? Somewhere in-between? I realize he's learning on the job and I am hopeful that he's the guy long-term.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Hey, it's an opinion piece and you're entitled to it. But if anything year 2 shows me they didn't "overachieve" as they where close "statistically" to actually earning another playoff spot with that same Cutler and that tells me a great deal.

I definitely see a coach who is still learning on the job and putting his stamp on the team. Lots to like about Adam Gase. I am hopeful that he can take it to the next level, especially getting the offense to perform. Looking at how the defense is structured, Miami has to get off to faster starts and play with some leads to be effective. Then the pass rush could make a difference.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I agree with all of it except I'd go F for the FO. The drafts have been okay but it's hard to imagine free agency and player contracts being handled worse.

Not a ton of talent + bleak cap situation = FO not doing their jobs.

It's hard to have confidence in the front office. I always feel like Miami is a little behind the trends and constantly fighting to find the right balance. It's hard to say what direction the team is heading in, it's plan so to speak, year in and year out.

The Suh contract is hopefully one that the front office learned from. There's a lot of dead money there (I believe $22 million) next year and it seemed from my perspective a year too early to release him. I know it allowed the team some ability to sign other players.

We'll see. It seems like there's a learning curve for both the front office and the head coach.