2019 Dolphins Stats
Total Offense: 4,960 yards (27th)
Offensive Touchdowns: 34 (25th)
Offensive Plays Per Game: 63.9 (13th)
Pass Attempts + Sacks: 673 (4th)
Rush Attempts: 22 (32nd)
Run/Pass Split: Run 34% | Pass 66%
Unaccounted for Targets: 168
Unaccounted for Carries: 109
Projected Win Total
The Dolphins over/under currently sits at 6, after they went 5-11 last season. The Dolphins had a solid draft this offseason. They were able to scoop up who they think will be their franchise quarterback in Alabama product Tua Tagovailoa. They also seemed to shore up their offensive line by drafting four offensive linemen. While they have seen some improvements at running back, linebacker and in the secondary, they still face an uphill battle this season. Whether Tua starts out the gate or sits, this is a long term rebuilding process for Miami. While the division is weak, this team will be nothing more than a spoiler for other teams, especially with a schedule loaded with games against tough teams from the AFC and NFC West.
Dolphins Fantasy Strength of Schedule
SOS is measured by calculating the fantasy points allowed by each team’s opponents to determine who has the easiest and most difficult fantasy schedules (rank #1 has the easiest schedule).
QB: 32nd
RB: 31st
WR: 30th
TE: 32nd
Dolphins Fantasy Passing Game
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tua Tagovailoa
WR: DeVante Parker, Mack Hollins
WR: Preston Williams, Jakeem Grant
WR: Isaiah Ford, Gary Jennings
TE: Mike Gesicki, Durham Smythe
The Dolphins’ passing attack was expected to look similar to last season, which already wasn’t great. Now, they have had two players opt out of the 2020 season — Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson.
Last season, DeVante Parker finally showed he can be a reliable number one option, with over 1,200 receiving yards. Then-rookie Preston Williams also impressed, totaling 428 yards in eight games. Outside of those two, however, there really isn’t much talent here. Jakeem Grant can occasionally give secondaries fits with their speed, however, he isn’t consistent enough or well-polished enough to be a constant problem. Parker and Williams are the only two wide receiver worth considering here.
Tight end Mike Gesicki has shown some promise and is still only 24 years old. The Penn State product hauled in over 50 receptions for over 500 yards and five touchdowns last season. He has shown flashes, like in Week 2 when he had six receptions for 82 yards and two scores against Cincinnati. Unfortunately, due to a lack of consistent play from Fitzpatrick and the offensive line’s inability to give Fitzpatrick much time to throw, he has trouble turning targets into receptions. Gesicki averaged over 10 yards per reception, but also only hauled in 51 of his 89 targets on the season. If Gesicki can bring in more targets and the line can give Fitzpatrick time to find him, he should be able to be a decent tight end in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
Last season, Fitzpatrick proved once again that he is one of the best backup quarterbacks of all time. Again, Fitzpatrick was thrust into a starting role with Miami, due to a lack of competition, and put together a decent season. He threw for over 3,500 yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. While those numbers surely aren’t eye-popping, for a quarterback with little to no weapons and the worst ranked offensive line in the entire NFL, that’s pretty good. He shouldn’t be rostered in anything other than deep leagues, but he can certainly be a bye week streaming option.
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Dolphins Fantasy Running Game
RB: Jordan Howard, Matt Breida
2019 OL Run Rank: 32nd
The Dolphins traded their starting running back Kenyan Drake to the Cardinals last season, and he quickly showed fans that the problems in Miami weren’t him. He went from just over three and a half yards per carry to over five with the Cardinals. The Dolphins had quite a hole to fill with their only other back being Kalen Ballage. Jordan Howard is slated to be their number one back, but I’d be surprised if they didn’t split carries equally. While Howard hasn’t been very productive the last two seasons, he is still only 25 and has proven his ability with two seasons over 1,110 yards rushing with Chicago. Matt Breida, on the other hand, has been utilized more as a change of pace back. Both backs have also been able to flash their abilities as pass catchers as well.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, their problem is not a lack of talent at running back. It’s impossible to run in the NFL when your line is ranked 32nd. However, if they offensive line can improve, they have the talent to be a sneaky good rushing attack. Breida could also serve as an option in the passing game, easing some of the burden off of the receivers.
The Dolphins have a chance to be competitive in many games this year, but only if they can block. If they can’t, their rushing game will stall out, along with their passing attack, as they’ll become overly reliant on Fitzpatrick’s arm. I see progress made here for Miami, but they’re still a year or two away. I wouldn’t touch either running back until late in the draft, especially if they’re both going to be splitting carries and targets with each other.
CLICK HERE for Pre-Training Camp RB Rankings
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